The guidance in this webpage and the UNT policy on campus carry may be amended by the President of UNT as necessary for campus safety, to include permanently designating new or additional locations where the carrying of concealed handguns on campus property is prohibited. For more details, please refer to section IV.K. of UNT Policy 04.001, Carrying of Concealed Handguns and Other Firearms on Campus.

Overview

In June of 2015, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11, which has been called “campus carry,” into law. Starting Aug. 1, 2016, the law allows licensed holders to carry a concealed handgun on public university campuses, including the University of North Texas.

On September 1, 2021, House Bill 1927, which has been called “constitutional carry,” took effect. House Bill 1927, enacted as the Firearm Carry Act of 2021, allows individuals who are 21 years of age or older and who can legally possess a firearm to carry a handgun without first obtaining a license.

A License to Carry (LTC) is still required in order to carry on the premises of UNT buildings. The “campus carry” law allows universities to create an implementation policy with reasonable rules and regulations.

Download the Campus Carry Powerpoint Presentation

UNT Policy

UNT's Campus Carry Policy has been modified to reflect changes made to Texas law during the 2021 legislative session regarding the carrying of a handgun, effective September 1, 2021.

Read UNT's Campus Carry Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

About Campus Carry

Q: What is campus carry?

A: “Campus carry” refers to Texas Senate Bill 11, which allows individuals who are licensed to carry a concealed handgun on university campuses in Texas.

Q: When did campus carry take effect for public universities?

A: It took effect Aug.1, 2016 at public universities and a year later for community colleges. Private and independent institutions of higher education have the option to opt out of the law entirely. As a public university, UNT does not have that option.

Q: Does the law allow public universities to create policies regarding campus carry?
A: Yes. The law allows universities to adopt policies that prohibit license holders from carrying concealed handguns in some areas of the campus and to certain university-sponsored events providing the restrictions do not have the effect of generally preventing a license holder from carrying a concealed handgun on campus. You can read UNT's campus carry policy at the University Policy website.
Q: Is Texas the only state that has campus carry laws for concealed handguns on campuses of public institutions of higher education?
A: No. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas is one of ten states that allows the carrying of concealed weapons on public postsecondary campuses. These states are Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.

Concealed Carry vs. Open Carry

Q: Is there a difference between concealed carry and open carry?

A:Yes. The ability to carry a concealed handgun on campus comes from Texas Senate Bill 11 — known as "campus carry" — which allows a License to Carry (LTC) holder to carry a concealed handgun on public university campuses, including UNT.

Open carry means an individual does not have to conceal the handgun from view as it is "open" for the public to see. Texas House Bill 910 — known as "open carry" — became law on Jan. 1, 2016 and applies to the general public.

Q: Is "open carry" allowed on public university campuses?

A: A License to Carry (LTC) holder may not carry a handgun openly on the campus of an institution of higher education such as UNT. This includes any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area at UNT.

Q: May anyone in Texas carry a handgun?
A: Effective September 1, 2021, Texas law allows most individuals to carry a handgun in most places in Texas. This change is often referred to as “constitutional carry” to distinguish it from the former “license to carry” terminology. License to Carry (LTC) holders are still required to conceal their handgun when on UNT campus.

UNT Policy

Q: Where will concealed handguns be allowed at UNT under the campus carry law?

A: As outlined in the UNT campus carry policy, a license holder may carry a concealed handgun while on the campus premises, which includes university buildings and public driveways, streets, sidewalks or walkways, parking lots, parking garages and other parking areas on campus. Concealed handguns also can be carried in university passenger transportation vehicles unless prohibited by state or federal law or by the UNT policy. License holders are responsible for knowing where concealed handguns may not be carried even where notice is not required to be posted.

Q: Where will concealed handguns be prohibited at UNT under the new campus carry law?

A: Section IV of the UNT campus carry policy lists areas and events where concealed handguns may not be carried on campus either by state law or UNT policy. These areas include: places where a intercollegiate or high school sporting event is taking place; places of religious worship; in laboratories where biological hazards are present; locations where medical, health or clinical services are provided; locations where services to minors are provided, specifically the Child and Family Resource Center, Child Development Lab, Kristin Farmer Autism Center and McConnell Hall; areas where large-scale events are taking place, specifically the ballrooms and Lyceum in the University Union, ballroom in the Gateway Center, Coliseum, Main Auditorium, Murchison Performing Arts Center, University Theatre and Voertman Concert Hall; as well as at other locations or events.

Q: Can UNT ban all handguns on campus?
A: No. The campus carry bill allows the university to establish certain locations and events where concealed handguns are prohibited. However, the university cannot prohibit license holders from carrying everywhere on campus, as that would be a violation of the law. As a reminder, A License to Carry (LTC) holder may not carry a handgun openly on the UNT campus.
Q: How will I know areas on campus where concealed handguns are not allowed?
A: Universities must post a sign at all places and events where their policies prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns. However, state law does not require universities to post signs at places and activities where concealed handguns are prohibited by laws other than UNT policy, such as a place of worship and where a university building is used as a polling place for a state or federal election. License holders are responsible for knowing where state and federal law prohibit them from carrying a concealed handgun.
Q: Are handguns the only type of firearm to which campus carry applies?
A: Yes. Senate Bill 11 makes it legal for LTC holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, but not rifles and other weapons.
Q: Can individual faculty or staff members post signage that prohibits concealed handguns in their offices or classrooms?
A: No. All places where concealed handguns are prohibited on campus are outlined in the UNT policy.

Safety Procedures

Q: Can a License to Carry (LTC) holder carry their handgun in a backpack?

A: Yes, as long as the backpack is carried on or about the LTC holder’s person and the handgun remains concealed.

Q: What do I do if I see someone with a handgun on campus?

A: The safest course of action is to call the UNT Police Department by dialing 911. They will respond to assess the situation and determine if the person is legally carrying a firearm.

Q: What should I do during an active threat event?
A: The UNT Police Department has provided a detailed active threat event online video training on what to do during these type of events.

License to Carry Permits 


Q: Who can get a permit to carry a concealed handgun?

A: As described in Texas Government Code, Section 411.172, individuals are generally eligible for licenses to carry (LTC) if they:

  • Are 18 years of age or older;
  • Have been a legal resident of the state for a six-month period preceding the application;
  • Have not been convicted of a felony;
  • Are not currently charged with commission of a Class A or B misdemeanor;
  • Are not chemically dependent;
  • Are capable of exercising sound judgment;
  • Are not currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order affecting a spousal relationship;
  • Are qualified under federal and state law to purchase a handgun;
  • Are current on child support payments or other monies collected by a state agency; and
  • Take and pass a course that has a written test and a shooting proficiency test.
Q: Where can I find more information?

A: The state of Texas has several websites that may provide additional information. The License to Carry a Handgun website includes information on the licensing laws and statutes and an overview of what is needed to obtain a license. The Texas Department of Public Safety website has several pages of information on handgun licensing, laws, regulations, reports, statistics and more.