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 motor vehicle or watercraft without a permit, provided it is not in plain view if the carrier is engaged in criminal activity.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-1), the Motorist Protection Act expanded by HB 1927 in 2021, lets any adult legally entitled to possess a firearm keep a handgun in a vehicle or watercraft they own or control. The handgun may be loaded and within reach. It cannot be in plain view if the person is engaged in criminal activity (other than a traffic offense), belongs to a criminal street gang, or is otherwise barred under federal or state law from possessing firearms. Long guns may be transported in vehicles without a permit. Dallas Police follow state law during traffic stops; drivers should keep hands visible and answer officers honestly. Sensitive-place rules still apply at destinations.
Unlawful carrying in a vehicle by a prohibited person, gang member, or person committing a non-traffic crime is a Class A misdemeanor under Penal Code 46.02, with fines up to four thousand dollars and up to one year in jail.
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See how Dallas's firearms in vehicles rules stack up against other locations.
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