Campus Carry in Texas

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. FURTHER, READERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING ALL THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT FOR THEMSELVES AND SHOULD SPEAK WITH A COMPETENT ATTORNEY IN THEIR STATE. 

Are there differences between private and public colleges and universities? 

No, it is legal in Texas to carry a firearm on a campus of higher education so long as the individual is licensed to carry in the state per the Texas Government Code section 411.2031 

What can students do to appeal for their Second Amendment rights if they are on an unfriendly campus? 

Students may prosecute institutions denying their right to carry a concealed firearm if they are a license holder, incurring civil penalty charges of over 1,000 for the first offense and over 10,000 for future offenses. Students should however look towards petitioning the right to carry on campus without a license and contact state government officials in request for legislative change. 

What would the penalty be if a student is found with a weapon on campus grounds? 

The student would not be penalized if they are licensed to conceal carry within the state. Exclusions exist only within the vicinities of sporting events, areas where K-12 education is conducted, and some laboratories. 

For campuses who would allow campus carry but are prevented from doing so by their state law, what are some things the university can do to aid students? 

The university could petition the state government in request that campus carry be permitted for non-license holders.