Texas is known for its strong gun culture, so it’s no surprise that the state offers a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) for those wishing to carry a firearm on their person in public. While the majority of states recognize Texas’ CHLs, others require an additional application process in order to be granted reciprocity rights.
Reciprocity is essentially an agreement between states that recognizes each other’s gun laws and allows citizens to carry firearms across state lines. In Texas, a CHL holder can legally carry a concealed handgun in any other state that has entered into reciprocity with Texas. This means that if you have a CHL, you can travel to any of these states and your concealed handgun license will be recognized.
As of 2020, Texas has entered into reciprocity agreements with 35 other states. This includes all surrounding states such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Additionally, there are several other states who have signed onto the agreement including Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
In addition to the 35 states that have entered into reciprocity with Texas, there are also seven other states who accept the CHL from Texas but require additional paperwork or permits before you can carry within their borders. These include Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina and West Virginia.
It’s important to note that even if two states have a reciprocity agreement in place it does not mean that all gun laws are exactly the same between them. Therefore it’s always best practice to research the specific laws of each state before traveling with your concealed handgun license from Texas.
To ensure you stay up to date on any changes that may occur with reciprocity agreements between Texas and other states be sure to check both the Texas Department of Public Safety website as well as the state where you plan to travel for updated information regarding their gun laws.
I hope this blog post has given you a better idea of the benefits of joining TX CHL Academy. With our comprehensive courses and convenient online platform, TX CHL Academy is the perfect place for anyone interested in taking their shooting skills to the next level. Visit txchlacademy.com today to learn more about our courses and get started on the journey to become your own protector!
By texaschlacademy