New open carry law in Texas allows guns at airports

Gun owners in Texas can carry firearms in certain areas of airports after a new open carry law went into effect in the state on 1 January.

A new open carry law in Texas will allow guns in certain areas of airports. Image by Teknorat / CC BY-SA 2.0

Gun owners with a proper license can openly have a gun in a secured shoulder or belt holster in public areas, including the baggage claim, ticketing, garage and sidewalks.

The change in law means that gun owners no longer have to conceal a legal weapon they are carrying and have an option of displaying it openly, though it must be a holster. Federal law still prohibits weapons past airport security.

Welcome to Texas – new law allows open carry of guns at airports in the state. Image by David Herrera / CC BY 2.0

There are signs at airports stating that no unlicensed firearms are allowed. Shotguns, rifles and other long guns are not allowed in public areas.

Carrying a concealed weapon is legal in the USA and 44 American states already have existing open carry laws, according to Fox News.