Texas Prohibited Places (30.06/30.07)

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Texas 30.06 and 30.07 Signs: What License Holders Need to Know

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Gun laws can be complex and change frequently. Always consult with a qualified attorney for specific legal questions and verify current laws before making decisions about firearm carry.

Why it matters: These two signs determine where you can and can't carry in Texas—and getting it wrong means criminal trespass charges. I've seen too many good folks get jammed up because they didn't understand the difference between a 30.06 and 30.07 sign.

The legal reality: Texas Penal Code sections 30.06 and 30.07 give property owners surgical control over how licensed carriers can carry on their premises:
30.06 signs prohibit concealed carry by license holders
30.07 signs prohibit open carry by license holders
Property owners can post one, both, or neither
Government agencies cannot use these signs on public property

Here's where it gets interesting—since constitutional carry passed in 2021, adults 21+ don't need licenses to carry in most places. But these signs only apply to license holders, creating some weird situations where an unlicensed carrier might legally carry where you can't.

What this means for you: You need to read the signs like your freedom depends on it—because it does. If you see only a 30.06 sign while carrying concealed, you need to leave or secure your gun. See only a 30.07 while open carrying? Same deal. But if you're concealed and only see a 30.07, you're good to go.

Between the lines: Many business owners still don't understand their own signs. I've walked into places with just a 30.07 posted, carrying concealed legally, and had employees freak out. The law is the law, but sometimes discretion beats being technically right.

Reading the Signs

For these signs to have legal teeth, they must meet specific requirements—exact wording, proper size, correct placement. Generic "no guns" signs don't carry criminal penalties under these statutes, though the property owner can still toss you out.

The bottom line: Look for the specific 30.06/30.07 language and formatting. Homemade signs or generic "no weapons" placards might get you asked to leave, but they won't land you a trespass charge under these particular laws.

Don't confuse these with 51% signs—those red signs at bars that derive most revenue from alcohol sales. Those prohibit everyone, licensed or not, and that's a different animal entirely.

Common Scenarios

Retail stores often post both signs if they want to ban all licensed carry. Chain stores are especially fond of this approach—corporate lawyers love belt-and-suspenders policies.

Restaurants and cafes might post just 30.07 if they're worried about customers being uncomfortable with visible guns but don't mind concealed carry.

Office buildings sometimes post only 30.06, though I've never understood the logic there.

What this means for you: Always check both your carry method and the specific signs posted. Carrying openly with just a 30.06? You're legal. Carrying concealed with just a 30.07? Also legal.

The Constitutional Carry Wrinkle

Between the lines: The legislature created a legal oddity when they passed constitutional carry but left the 30.06/30.07 system intact. These signs only restrict "license holders"—creating situations where someone without a license might legally carry where you can't.

Property owners who want to prohibit all carry need additional measures beyond just these signs. Most don't realize this yet, but it's coming.

Practical Advice

When you walk into any business, scan the entrance for signs. It's become second nature after 30 years of carrying. If you spot a sign that prohibits your carry method, you've got options:

Secure your firearm in your vehicle (where legal)
Switch carry methods if only one is prohibited
Leave and take your business elsewhere

Even if a sign doesn't meet technical requirements, property owners can still ask you to leave. Fighting about sign validity in the moment is a losing game—save that conversation for your lawyer if needed.

The legal reality: Criminal trespass charges can cost you your license to carry, not to mention fines and legal fees. No trip to the store is worth that headache.

What Signs Actually Say

The statutes require specific language that's longer than most people expect. Real 30.06 and 30.07 signs look like legal notices, not simple "no guns" stickers. They include the full text of the law, appear in both English and Spanish, and meet size requirements.

What this means for you: If you see a small sticker or handwritten sign, it probably doesn't meet statutory requirements for criminal penalties—but again, the property owner can still ask you to leave.

Common Mistakes

I've seen license holders make the same errors repeatedly:

Assuming any "no weapons" sign applies to them under these statutes
Not noticing the difference between 30.06 and 30.07
Thinking government buildings can post these signs (they can't)
Believing they have to actually see the sign to be charged (they don't)

The bottom line: These signs only restrict license holders carrying handguns. They don't apply to unlicensed carriers, other weapons, or government property.

Resources

Texas Department of Public Safety - Laws That Relate to Carrying a Handgun FAQs
Texas Penal Code § 30.06 (Criminal Trespass by License Holder with Concealed Handgun)
Texas Penal Code § 30.07 (Criminal Trespass by License Holder with Openly Carried Handgun)
Texas Penal Code § 46.035 (Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by License Holder)
Local attorney familiar with Texas firearms law for specific legal questions

Join the Discussion

Have you run into a 30.06 or 30.07 sign situation that caught you off guard, or do you have a system for checking before you head somewhere?

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