Campus Carry

Learn more about:

• Concealed Campus Carry regulations
• Frequently asked questions

Watch our TCC Police videos that discuss: (Links will open in a new window)

• Campus Carry
• Common Questions about Safety Concerns

The 84th Session of the Texas Legislature passed two bills which relate to guns on the premises of college campuses:

Effective January 1, 2016, House Bill 910 (commonly referred to as the “Open Carry” bill) allows a Texas Concealed Handgun License holder to openly carry a holstered handgun, except on the campus of a higher education institution. The law remains unchanged that a firearm may be stored or transported in a locked privately owned or leased motor vehicle by a person who holds a license to carry.

Effective August 1, 2016, for four year Universities and Colleges, and August 1, 2017 for Junior Colleges Senate Bill 11 (commonly referred to as the “Campus Carry” bill) allows a license holder to carry a concealed handgun while on the campus of an institution of higher education. This bill provides that, after consulting with students, staff, and faculty regarding the nature of the population and safety considerations, the Chief Executive Officer of the institution of higher education shall establish reasonable rules, regulations, and provisions regarding carrying on the campus. The TCC Police Department established a Campus Carry Committee with a representative from each campus as well as the Police Department, Facilities, Human Resources, Information Technology, Faculty, Students and The Faculty Academy. The committee made recommendations to the Chancellor concerning the Campus Carry restrictions which address the safety concerns. The established rules and regulations may not generally prohibit license holders from carrying concealed handguns on campus. Information regarding the portions of the campus where license holders may not carry, referred to as Prohibited Zones, can be found within the Concealed Campus Carry Regulations. Prohibited Zones are also marked on each campus map.

It continues to be an offense if the license holder carries a partially or wholly visible handgun and intentionally/knowingly displays the handgun in plain view to another person on the premises of the campus to include driveways, streets, sidewalks, parking lot, parking garage, or parking area of the institution of higher learning.

Questions regarding this communique should be directed to Chief Williams or Assistant Chief Dietrich at 817-515-5500.

Updated January 20, 2023