LTC and CHL in Texas – Can a 18 year old Carry a Handgun in Texas?
LTC and CHL in Texas – Can an 18 year old Carry a Handgun in Texas? – In a surprising ruling, the Texas Department of Safety (DPS) must reduce the age for a license to carry permit from 21 to 18. The ruling came from Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. et. al., v. Steven McCraw
On Feb. 7, the DPS website released information that said, “A Federal district court has ruled the Department can no longer apply the License to Carry Statutory eligibility criteria that prohibit otherwise eligible 18- to 20-year-olds from obtaining the license.”
How To Get The LTC
18 to 20 years olds just have to take the license to carry class like everyone else. After you take the LTC class you simply apply online on the DPS website for your license. They will mail your LTC to you within 60 days or less. You can also Take a Texas Online LTC class that available to anyone at least 18 years old or older. The online class is self-paced course and can be taken anytime 24/7 from the comfort of your home. https://onlinetexasltc.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=29049
This is a huge win, younger citizens are now afforded the right to self-defense, just as much as a person who is older and eligible to buy a handgun.
The legal age to buy a handgun in Texas, and nationally, is still 21 years old, which creates a bit of a problem with obtaining the firearm. However, if the person is gifted the firearm by a parent or legal guardian, assuming the person is at least 18 years old, it is allowed. I have also read that private party sellers may sell to someone that is at least 18 years old, but I suggest researching this more on your own.
In my opinion, this makes sense. At 18 years old, you are a legal adult. This means you can sign up for military service, which means potentially carrying a fully automatic assault weapon (yes, a real one) into combat for Uncle Sam. If you are allowed to do that, you should be allowed to carry at your own home. You should be allowed to enjoy an “adult beverage” for that matter—typically not at the same time, though. (bad things happen that way).
Helping your kids on their journey to self-defense:
However, I think there are other areas you need to consider if you are helping one of your kids on their journey to self-defense.
First, train with them. I find rifles and shotguns are much easier for non-experienced shooters to pick up and use effectively. Handguns tend to be a bit less user friendly. I have already started training my kids, because I want them to know how to react if they find one at a friend’s house or need to use one at ours.
Second, get something that is an appropriate caliber for them. I am a huge fan of big calibers (10mm/357 mag/44Mag/45ACP), but they might not be the best for beginner (or someone who weighs 120lbs, even soaking wet). I recommend getting your kids a firearm that fits their hands and has a controllable recoil. If they enjoy shooting it, then they will practice more often and be more confident in their skill.
Third, get them a great quality, “one and done” holster. People, understandably so, tend to get the wrong accessories after buying a firearm. Guns are expensive, so the last thing most people want to do is spend money on good quality accessories (scopes, rings, or for CHL a great holster like ours). However, I have probably spent five times the amount of one JM4 Tactical holster on crappy ones that didn’t work. So, save them, or yourself, the sweat and invest in good quality accessories to begin with.
Our holsters are made with top-grade, extremely comfortable leather that will hold your firearm without marring it up, like KYDEX can.
I am happy to see that one state is trying to change concealed carry laws in a way that makes sense, but like all things, with great power comes great responsibility.
Author: Ian Bolser
