Texas Government Code section 229.001 reserves firearm regulation to the state, leaving San Antonio almost no authority over ownership, sale, transport, or carry. The city retains narrow powers over discharge, city facilities, and content-neutral zoning of firearm businesses.
Under Texas Government Code chapter 229, the Legislature occupies the firearm field. San Antonio cannot require permits for sale, transfer, possession, or carry; cannot regulate ammunition; and cannot impose taxes or registration. Section 229.001(b) preserves narrow city authority over discharge of firearms inside corporate limits, sport-shooting ranges, public-employee carry on the job, and zoning so long as the rule is not used to exclude licensed dealers. San Antonio Municipal Code chapter 21 prohibits firing weapons inside city limits except at permitted ranges or in lawful defense. The Texas Attorney General actively enforces preemption under Government Code chapter 2160 and can sue cities for noncompliant rules. SAPD operates within these state limits.
Discharging a firearm inside San Antonio city limits violates SAMC chapter 21 and Texas Penal Code 42.12, a Class A or B misdemeanor with fines up to four thousand dollars and possible jail time depending on circumstances and harm caused.
San Antonio, TX
Since 2021, Texas House Bill 1927 lets most adults 21 and older carry a handgun concealed without a permit. The optional License to Carry under Texas Governm...
San Antonio, TX
Texas allows open carry of handguns in a holster for adults 21 and older. House Bill 1927 (2021) removed the License to Carry requirement. Long guns have lon...
San Antonio, TX
Under the Motorist Protection Act, Texas Penal Code section 46.02(a-1) lets adults legally entitled to possess a firearm carry a handgun inside their own mot...
See how San Antonio's local firearms preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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