Gun laws in Texas and across the United States continue to evolve through legislation, federal regulations, agency policy changes, and court decisions.
For Texas firearm owners, 2026 brings several important developments. Texas continues to allow permitless handgun carry for eligible individuals, while the state’s License to Carry (LTC) program remains available. At the federal level, major changes to the National Firearms Act (NFA) tax took effect in 2026, the ATF introduced a new regulatory approach, and the U.S. Department of Justice launched a new federal firearm-rights restoration process.
This guide explains the most important Texas and federal gun law updates for 2026 and what firearm owners should understand before buying, possessing, transferring, or carrying a firearm.
Texas Gun Laws in 2026
1. Permitless Handgun Carry Remains in Effect
Texas continues to allow eligible individuals to carry a handgun without first obtaining a License to Carry.
Under the Texas Firearm Carry Act, generally eligible people who are 21 or older and legally allowed to possess a firearm may carry a handgun without an LTC, subject to Texas restrictions.
This is commonly called permitless carry or constitutional carry.
However, permitless carry does not mean that every person can carry a firearm everywhere.
Federal and Texas laws can still prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms, and Texas law restricts carrying firearms in specific locations and circumstances.
For Texas firearm owners, the basic rule is:
No LTC requirement does not mean no restrictions.
2. Where You Can and Cannot Carry in Texas
Texas law provides broad carry rights, but certain locations remain restricted.
Texas Department of Public Safety guidance explains that handgun carry is subject to restrictions established by the Texas Penal Code.
Depending on the specific circumstances, restrictions can apply to locations such as:
- Certain schools and educational facilities
- Courts and court-related facilities
- Certain government buildings
- Secure areas of airports
- Certain sporting and recreational locations
- Places where legally required notice has been provided
- Other locations specifically restricted under Texas law
The exact rules can depend on whether the person has an LTC, the type of location, the type of notice provided, and other circumstances.
Why Location Rules Matter
A person who can legally possess and carry a handgun may still violate Texas law by carrying it into a prohibited location.
That is why firearm owners should understand both carry eligibility and location restrictions.
3. Texas License to Carry Is Still Available
Texas permitless carry did not eliminate the state’s License to Carry program.
The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to administer the LTC program, including processing applications and conducting background checks for qualified applicants.
An LTC can still provide practical benefits.
For example, Texas maintains agreements and recognition arrangements with other states, although the rules vary by state.
This means some Texas residents may still choose to obtain an LTC even though a license is generally not required for eligible people to carry a handgun in Texas.
Federal Gun Law Updates for 2026
4. Major NFA Tax Change Took Effect January 1, 2026
One of the most significant federal firearm-law changes in 2026 concerns the National Firearms Act.
Beginning January 1, 2026, Congress reduced the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for NFA firearms other than machine guns and destructive devices.
The change affects NFA categories including:
- Silencers
- Short-barreled rifles
- Short-barreled shotguns
- Certain “any other weapons”
Machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to the applicable $200 NFA tax.
Does the $0 Tax Eliminate the NFA Process?
No.
This is an important distinction.
The elimination of the tax for most NFA firearms does not eliminate federal NFA requirements.
ATF continues to administer the NFA registration system, and applicable applications and registration requirements remain in place. ATF Form 1 and Form 4 materials continue to address the process for making and transferring NFA firearms.
In simple terms:
$0 tax does not mean “no NFA requirements.”
Anyone considering an NFA firearm should verify the current ATF requirements before making or transferring one.
5. NFA Rules Still Apply to Regulated Firearms
The National Firearms Act continues to regulate specific categories of firearms.
ATF identifies NFA-regulated firearms that include:
- Short-barreled rifles
- Short-barreled shotguns
- Silencers and firearm mufflers
- Certain other weapons
- Machine guns
- Destructive devices
The 2026 tax change therefore should not be interpreted as the repeal of the NFA.
Instead, it is primarily a change to the federal tax associated with most NFA making and transfers.
6. New Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Process
Another major 2026 federal development is the launch of a new Federal Firearm Rights Restoration (FFRR) process.
On August 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a final rule establishing a process under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) for eligible individuals who are federally prohibited from possessing firearms to seek restoration of their federal firearm rights.
The process is being introduced in stages.
According to the DOJ:
- September 25, 2026: Applications open to invited candidates
- November 4, 2026: Applications open to the first 5,000 public applicants
- January 4, 2027: Additional applications become available and the $30 application fee begins
Is Firearm Rights Restoration Automatic?
No.
The process does not automatically restore firearm rights.
Applicants must satisfy the requirements established by the federal rule, and the DOJ states that restoration depends on an individualized review.
Certain convictions, statuses, or circumstances can create presumptions against relief.
The DOJ also makes an important distinction:
Federal restoration does not override independent state firearm restrictions.
Therefore, someone seeking restoration should consider both federal and Texas law.
7. DOJ and ATF Introduced Major Regulatory Reforms
Federal firearm regulation is also undergoing significant changes in 2026.
On April 29, 2026, the Department of Justice and ATF announced a package of regulatory reforms intended to reduce regulatory burdens on law-abiding firearm owners and businesses.
ATF subsequently described the changes as part of a broader “New Era of Reform.”
Among other changes, ATF announced a new administrative approach for firearm dealers that emphasizes firearm traceability and public safety while placing less emphasis on certain immaterial paperwork errors.
Important: Proposed Rules Are Not Automatically Law
Some 2026 ATF changes are proposals rather than final regulations.
For example, ATF has proposed changes involving areas such as:
- Firearm imports
- Certain dealer transaction procedures
- Stabilizing-brace regulations
- Other federal firearms regulations
A proposed rule should not be treated as an immediately enforceable change.
Firearm owners and businesses should check the current status of a rule, its effective date, and any subsequent agency or court action before relying on it.
8. ATF Is Revisiting the Definition of Being “Engaged in the Business”
Another federal regulatory development concerns the definition of who is considered to be engaged in the business of dealing in firearms.
ATF has revised its regulatory approach to this area in 2026, including provisions addressing conduct that may indicate a person is predominantly earning profit from firearm sales. The rules also address situations involving personal collections and certain other activities.
This area is particularly important for people who regularly buy and sell firearms.
The key point is that occasional personal transactions and operating as a firearms dealer are not necessarily treated the same way under federal law.
Anyone regularly buying and selling firearms for profit should carefully review the current federal requirements and seek legal advice when necessary.
9. Second Amendment Litigation Continues to Shape Firearm Law
Federal firearm law is also affected by ongoing constitutional litigation.
Important Supreme Court decisions continue to influence Second Amendment analysis, including:
- District of Columbia v. Heller
- McDonald v. City of Chicago
- New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen
Courts continue to consider challenges involving firearm restrictions, carrying regulations, prohibited-person laws, and other Second Amendment issues.
However, firearm owners should be careful when reading headlines about lawsuits.
A Lawsuit Does Not Automatically Change the Law
A lawsuit, proposed rule, or legal challenge does not necessarily mean a firearm restriction has immediately become unenforceable.
The practical effect of a court decision can depend on:
- Which court issued the decision
- Whether the decision is final
- Whether enforcement has been stayed
- Whether an appeal is pending
- Which jurisdiction is involved
For that reason, firearm owners should verify the current status of a law before relying on a court-related news report.
10. Federal Prohibited-Person Rules Still Apply
Texas permitless carry does not override federal firearm prohibitions.
Federal law restricts firearm possession by certain categories of people under federal statutes, including provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).
A person should therefore not assume that being eligible to carry under Texas law automatically means that the person is legally allowed to possess a firearm under federal law.
The opposite can also matter.
A person may need to consider:
Texas eligibility + federal eligibility + location restrictions + transaction requirements.
This is particularly important for people with certain criminal records, restraining orders, prohibited statuses, or other circumstances that may affect firearm possession.
Texas vs. Federal Gun Law in 2026
Understanding the difference between Texas and federal law is essential for firearm owners.
| Issue | Texas Law | Federal Law |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless handgun carry | Available to eligible individuals under Texas law | Federal prohibitions still apply |
| License to Carry | Texas LTC program remains active | No federal equivalent for ordinary Texas carry |
| Carry locations | Texas restrictions apply | Federal-property and other federal restrictions may apply |
| Prohibited persons | Texas restrictions apply | Federal prohibitions also apply |
| NFA firearms | Texas law may also matter | NFA requirements administered federally |
| NFA tax | Not controlled by Texas | $0 for most NFA making/transfers beginning in 2026 |
| Rights restoration | Texas remedies may apply | Federal restoration process launched in 2026 |
| Firearm dealers | Texas requirements may apply | Federal FFL requirements apply |
| Regulatory changes | Texas Legislature and agencies | Congress, DOJ, ATF and federal courts |
What Texas Gun Owners Should Know in 2026
Here are the most important takeaways.
1. Permitless carry remains in effect: Eligible individuals can generally carry a handgun without obtaining an LTC, but restrictions continue to apply.
2. The LTC program still exists: Texas continues to issue and administer License to Carry credentials.
3. Location restrictions still matter: Being legally allowed to carry does not mean that every location is unrestricted.
4. The NFA tax changed: Most NFA firearms now have a $0 federal making and transfer tax, while machine guns and destructive devices remain subject to the $200 tax.
5. NFA requirements did not disappear: Registration and applicable ATF processes remain important.
6. Federal firearm regulations are changing: DOJ and ATF announced significant regulatory reforms in 2026, while additional proposed changes remain under consideration.
7. Federal rights restoration has a new process: Eligible federally prohibited individuals can apply for restoration under the new DOJ process, subject to the rule’s requirements.
8. Federal and Texas law must be considered together: Compliance with one does not automatically guarantee compliance with the other.
Final Takeaway
The 2026 Texas and federal gun law landscape includes several important changes, but the biggest mistake firearm owners can make is assuming that one new law changes everything.
Texas continues to recognize permitless handgun carry for eligible individuals, while the state’s LTC program remains available and location restrictions continue to apply.
At the federal level, the NFA tax for most regulated firearms has been reduced to $0, but the underlying NFA regulatory and registration framework remains in place.
The federal government has also introduced a new firearm-rights restoration process and made significant changes to the way ATF approaches firearms regulation and enforcement.
At Texas 2A Mantique, we believe responsible firearm ownership starts with understanding the laws and requirements that apply to you. For more information about firearms and responsible ownership in Texas, visit Texas 2A Mantique at https://texas2amantique.com/.
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