If you are a parent looking at a Texas License to Carry, you probably have more than one question. You want to know what the training covers. You want to know what the law says about storage. And you want a plan that works in a house with children in it.
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Quick answer: Texas has no storage rule that applies only to LTC holders. The storage duty comes from Texas Penal Code Section 46.13, and it applies to gun owners generally. The required LTC course does cover storage, with an emphasis on homes where children are present. That requirement is in Texas Government Code Section 411.188(a). See next steps for what follows the class.
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Why Parents Should Think Beyond the License
A Texas LTC is one part of a larger job. Think about how firearms are stored and who can get to them. Think about what your children are taught. Think about how the adults in the house talk about safety.
None of that is a rush decision. This page is about the household. If you want the individual starting point instead, see the guide for first time gun owners. There is also one for women beginning LTC training.
Texas LTC for Parents Starts With Education
The online classroom portion covers the core LTC topics, and you take it from home. That matters when you have a family schedule. You do not have to give up a whole day to sit in a classroom.
Still, the online format should be treated seriously. The topics involve safety, legal awareness, nonviolent dispute resolution, and storage practices. These are not casual subjects.
What Texas Law Says About Firearms and Children
Texas has a specific law about this. It is worth knowing before you decide how you will store anything at home. Be clear on one point first. There is no storage rule that applies only to LTC holders. The duty below applies to gun owners generally, license or no license.
The law is Texas Penal Code Section 46.13, Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child. In plain English, it works like this.
- A child, in this law, means a person younger than 17 years of age.
- The law covers a readily dischargeable firearm. That means a firearm loaded with ammunition, whether or not a round is in the chamber.
- A person commits an offense if a child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm and that person acted with criminal negligence. That happens in two ways. Either the person failed to secure the firearm. Or the person left it where they knew, or should have known, the child would get to it.
The law also defines what secure means. It means taking the steps a reasonable person would take to keep a child away from a readily dischargeable firearm. The law gives examples: placing the firearm in a locked container, or temporarily rendering it inoperable with a trigger lock or other means.
Read that carefully. The statute says including but not limited to. Texas does not order you to buy one specific product. It asks you to take reasonable steps.
The law lists some affirmative defenses, and it sets the penalty. An offense is normally a Class C misdemeanor. It becomes a Class A misdemeanor if the child discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to himself or another person.
You can read the whole section at Texas Penal Code Chapter 46, Section 46.13.
Texas Connects This to Schools Too
Texas Education Code Section 37.222 brings schools into this. It tells the Texas School Safety Center, working with DPS, to give school districts and charter schools information on safe firearm storage. That information must cover the Section 46.13 offense. It must also cover ways parents and guardians can keep children from getting to firearms.
Schools must pass that information to the parent or guardian of each student at least three times each school year. If a safe storage handout comes home in a backpack, that is where it comes from.
This is a plain summary of the law, not legal advice. First Shot Training is not a law firm. If you need to know how any of this applies to your home, talk to a Texas attorney.
Safe Storage Recommendations
The section above is what Texas law says. This section is different. These are recommendations, not legal requirements.
Settle storage before a firearm enters the home. Think about children, visitors, relatives, and babysitters. Think about anyone else who spends time in the house.
Secure storage is not only about equipment. It is about habits. In 25 years of teaching, storage is the subject adults ask me about most, and the answer usually comes down to routine. Where things are kept, who knows how to open the container, and whether the habit holds on a busy night.
Talking With Family Members
Every home is different. Some families may have older children who need age appropriate safety conversations. Others may have young children who should never have access. Some homes include relatives, roommates, or frequent guests.
The responsible approach is to create clear household expectations. Avoid drama. Avoid fear. Focus on calm rules, safe habits, and responsible adult leadership.
What the Online Class Can Help Parents Understand
Storage is not an optional add on to the class. Texas Government Code Section 411.188(a) sets what the required course must cover. Proper storage practices are on that list. The statute puts an emphasis on storage that prevents accidental injury to a child.
The class also shows you what you still need to work on. That might be hands on training, better storage equipment, or a clearer plan for travel.
Take the next step toward responsible Texas LTC education with First Shot Training.
Why Nonviolent Dispute Resolution Matters
One of the classroom topics involves nonviolent dispute resolution. For parents, this topic matters because responsible carry is not about winning arguments or escalating conflict.
Parents model behavior. Calm decision making, conflict avoidance, and self control matter in public and at home.
What Happens After the Online Class?
When you finish the online classroom portion, you still have steps left. Those include handgun proficiency with a qualified Texas LTC instructor, the application, fingerprints, and supporting documents. Confirm the current steps with Texas DPS.
Keep your documents in one place, and book the range appointment around your family schedule.
When Extra Training May Help
If you are new to firearms, book beginner instruction on top of the class. You can also find training focused on storage, range fundamentals, or home routines.
The class is a start, not a finish.
Common Parent Questions
A few questions come up often. Is the class online? Is the range portion separate? Do you need to own a handgun before you start? How should you handle storage? Can First Shot Training answer a personal legal question?
The last one has a short answer. No. First Shot Training provides education. It does not give legal advice and does not decide eligibility.
A Parent Preparation Checklist
Before starting, consider these steps.
- Review official Texas LTC information.
- Create a secure storage plan.
- Think through household access.
- Set aside focused class time.
- Save class documents.
- Ask questions before range proficiency.
- Keep learning after the class.
Responsible Education Supports Better Decisions
Parents set the tone at home. Starting with education makes the rest of the process calmer and clearer. First Shot Training links students to the online classroom portion, and the steps after it are laid out on the how it works page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Texas LTC class useful for parents?
Yes. The required course covers the law, safety, nonviolent dispute resolution, and storage practices, including storage where children are present.
Should parents think about safe storage before taking the class?
Yes. Texas Penal Code Section 46.13 makes it an offense to let a child under 17 get to a loaded firearm through criminal negligence. That applies whether or not you hold a license.
Can parents complete the classroom portion online?
Yes. The classroom portion may be completed online. The range portion is arranged separately with a qualified Texas LTC instructor.
Does the class replace all hands on training?
No. If you are new to firearms, get hands on instruction as well.
Can First Shot Training give legal advice about my family situation?
No. First Shot Training provides general education, not legal advice.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. First Shot Training is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. While we make every reasonable effort to ensure the information we publish is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, laws, regulations, licensing requirements, reciprocity agreements, and government policies may change without notice. You are responsible for verifying current information with official government sources before relying on any information contained in this article. If you have questions regarding how the law applies to your specific circumstances, consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
