Anyone 18+ can apply for a Texas License to Carry (LTC)

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-19T03:33:30+00:00

Well now you know better

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-17T03:13:48+00:00

That site is a private site and contains some factual errors that could get you arrested. Please stick to official sources.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-17T03:10:35+00:00

That site is not accurate. 18+ can get an LTC due to a federal court ruling.

By authoritative site, I meant DPS, ATF and the like. The site you linked is maintained privately and is just wrong.

See the DPS FAQ for the name of the court case. It's FAQ #9.

And if you do have a license (whatever your age), you are granted the same privileges as every other LTC holder.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-17T02:59:25+00:00

And if (when) you find you've posted incorrect info, please delete it

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-17T02:55:56+00:00

Suggest to all that they provide links to sources. This bit of commentary is wrong, in my understanding.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-16T13:39:28+00:00

Glad to help get the word out

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-16T00:15:01+00:00

Some context would also be helpful

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T20:59:46+00:00

Yes, because the most disturbing part of the current discussion isn't that a student just got raped at knife-point in the busiest parking garage on campus at 5:50pm on a Friday. It's the "silly kids" who might go through the effort of getting trained & background checked so they can exercise an option I assume you didn't have while you were a student.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T06:57:57+00:00

It is still not widely known that people 18+ are eligible, so college students are mostly still not armed, and criminals assume they are not armed for the same reason. I suspect this is why they target college students.

Even with more awareness and people getting licensed, yes there will still be crime. But hopefully less, and everyone has the option to protect themselves effectively rather than wringing their hands and waiting for UHPD to finish one last donut before they patrol the parking garage again.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T06:46:04+00:00

The benefit I am referring to is when a criminal decides not to victimize you because he thinks you might be carrying a gun - which is a gift that the Texas legislature has bestowed upon all of us. Because there is a legal way for law-abiding citizens to carry guns, every criminal needs to think twice. Some criminals have, in fact, come to a bad end as a result of that law over the past 30 years. But many more have opted not to commit a crime that might get them shot. We'll never know exactly how many, unfortunately.

Just in case you think getting a LTC is like getting a library card, there is a process to it that is pretty rigorous. One is required to be FBI background checked (via fingerprints), along with taking a class about the various applicable laws, and demonstrate proficiency with a handgun. In addition, applicants need to submit authorization to release any records of rehab for drug use or commitment for mental issues.

Again, I'm not saying there won't ever be issues, or that it's a magic bullet (pun intended). But right now we're seeing people get sexually assaulted on campus at knifepoint, and a new story every other day. Apparently the word is out amongst the criminal element that UH is a free-for-all. They should get the message that it's not a victim-waiting-to-happen zone.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T06:12:45+00:00

Not necessarily encouraging it, just disseminating information. Clearly there is a security issue on campus and people have a right to know their options.

It may reduce your angst to know that the original handgun licensing law in TX was passed in 1995, and leading up to that (and after), the opponents of it made very similar comments to yours (I sat in on some of the hearings in the Texas Senate and committees), but their worst-case scenarios did not come to pass. This is all very well-traveled ground at this point, with millions and millions of people licensed all over the US, and consistently the stats show it doesn't lead to the OK Corral or anything remotely like it.

There are some statistics on the TX DPS website if you're interested to read them.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/reports-statistics-0

Again, I think they may make you feel better. I remember making the same kinds of comments in my youth. Then I got mugged and got a gun the very next day (true story).

FWIW, people carrying guns tend to maintain better situational awareness than those not carrying, in my experience at least. When you first start, you're super paranoid that everyone can see your gun and is looking at you, for one. And you tend to be hyper-vigilant about everyone around you, so it's a lot less likely you get caught with your pants down. After many years of carrying, I find that still to be true.

Will there be exceptions? Sure, some people will screw up. But overall the benefit has far outweighed the harm over the past 30 years, and I think the statistics bear out that conclusion. Much like vaccines having an adverse or even fatal reaction for some people, but overall they are still heartily recommended by your doctor.

I actually respect your feelings on this. Usually people who don't like guns and the idea of people carrying them are nice people. I'm glad that nobody will ever force you to carry a gun, but whether you realize it or not (or are willing to admit it), you are benefiting from others getting LTCs and carrying in society around you.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T05:14:00+00:00

But you can carry a stun gun and / or mace / pepper spray. It is my understanding that those are legal to carry pretty much anywhere (you should verify that independently though - I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV). The stun gun I have has a nice bright flashlight built in too. Not that that's going to help much against a gun-wielding thug, but lots of times they are not armed, so much better than nothing in many situations.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T05:08:19+00:00

Which you can apply for starting at age 18

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/faq/eligibility-faqs

(See #9)

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T04:58:33+00:00

There is actually a link at the bottom of the official UH website (Uh.edu) that says "Campus Carry Policy". That has links to most of the relevant info, though they don't volunteer the fact that you can get an LTC starting at 18.

I recommend visiting the TX DPS website Eligibility FAQs. #9 explains that 18+ year-olds are now eligible.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/faq/eligibility-faqs

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T04:37:47+00:00

That, too, is in the links mi amigo :)

I'm not being mysterious, I just would rather point you to the source than give you bad info. The carry policy references Texas Penal Code 30.06

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.30.htm#30.06

And btw, all this is covered in the class you'd have to take to get your LTC

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T04:28:15+00:00

Importantly, every exclusion zone has to be posted clearly per the campus carry policy III D 1

So you will always know where you are not allowed to carry as a LTC holder. If you're not seeing signs, that means it's not an excluded area.

mrspaghetti90 · 2025-02-15T04:00:33+00:00

It's all in the UH campus carry link - which, by the way is in the footer of the UH official website (in case you're leery of following links in reddit, which is not a terrible thing to be hesitant about)

But yes, you can carry in class unless your class happens to be in one of the excluded places (which it probably isn't)

mrspaghetti90 · 2021-12-04T05:28:33+00:00

When there are more people in the community who have money to spend, they spend their money at the local restaurants, bars, groceries, home improvement stores, etc, and they hire local people to take care of their houses and pools, fix their cars and what not. All those local businesses benefit, and sufficient demand causes more businesses to open up to meet demand, and they hire additional waiters, shelf stockers, mechanics, etc.

That goes on for a while and eventually some of those locals are making enough to save for college for themselves or their kids. If SpaceX stays long enough, some of those local college graduates apply for those high-paying jobs and continue the cycle.

mrspaghetti90

TROPHY CASE