Can you take a gun into a polling place in Texas? What the law says
Texas is one of several states that allows “constitutional carry” for handguns, but what about at polling places ?
Early voting for the March 3 primary starts Tuesday, Feb. 17 and goes until Friday, Feb. 27, but it’s always good to keep up with what you can and can’t do at the voting booth.
Here’s what to know.
Can I take my gun with me to vote in Texas?
In 2021, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 1927 allowing anyone over 21 years of age to carry a handgun without a permit, also known as “constitutional carry.” People can still apply for a handgun license if they choose, but the law does not require it.
However, if you plan to vote in the midterm elections, leave your handgun at home. The same law that codified “constitutional carry” also makes carrying a firearm into polling places illegal .
“A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, location-restricted knife, club, or prohibited weapon ... on the premises of a polling place on the day of an election or while early voting is in progress,” Texas pcodifieenal code 46.03 states.
Polling places are one of a few places in Texas where “constitutional carry” is illegal. The other places are:
- On the premises of a school or institution of education.
- On the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court.
- On the premises of a racetrack.
- On the premises of a secured area of an airport.
- Withing 1,000 feet of the premises of a place where a Texas Department of Criminal Justice execution is to be held.
Early voting in Tarrant County for the March 3 primary starts Tuesday, Feb. 17 at over a dozen polling places. To find your nearest polling place, visit Tarrant County’s voter lookup website.
This story was inspired by earlier reporting from the Star-Telegram’s Brayden Garcia.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Can you take a gun into a polling place in Texas? What the law says."
