Signage Guidelines for New State “Permitless Carry” Handgun Law

posted on 8.23.2021

A new state law taking effect Sept. 1 allows anyone 21 years or older to carry a handgun in public without getting a permit to do so – or being trained in using it – so long as they aren’t otherwise prohibited by law from owning a firearm.

Businesses wishing to restrict possession of a firearm by unlicensed carriers on their premises must post signage with certain wording and font size.

Such signage is generally available for purchase at local and online office supply stores, and TAB general counsel Stacy Allen with the Jackson Walker law firm provides some tips for making sure the signage comports with the new law. 

The text must be printed with one-inch contrasting letters, be displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public and include this language in English and Spanish:

“Pursuant to Section 30.05, Penal Code (criminal trespass), a person may not enter this property with a firearm.”

Violations
Entry onto the premises with a firearm in violation of the statute is a Class C misdemeanor.  The offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor if the violator personally received oral or written notice that entry with a firearm or other weapon was forbidden and subsequently fails to depart.

Such notice must come from the owner of the business or another person with apparent authority to act for the owner, such as a front desk receptionist or security personnel.

Existing Signage
Allen also advises that when amending the state law, the Legislature did not remove the sections addressing open carry and concealed carry and the related signage requirements.

“While this may have been an oversight, a conservative interpretation is that all three types of signage are required,” Allen says.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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