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Update Sept. 1, 2021:  HB 1927 became effective. The open carry of firearms on campus is still prohibited. HB 1927 will not apply to UTSA property because of the Texas Penal Code § 46.03. “Places Weapons Prohibited” statute. Individuals who possess a license to carry a firearm will still be allowed to carry concealed on campus, but they may not enter any building/room or exclusion zone where signs are posted prohibiting concealed carry.

A campus carry policy was issued for the implementation of Senate Bill 11, effective August 1, 2016.

Key areas where handguns are not permitted at UTSA include:

• Shared university residence halls and housing units;
• Certain solely occupied faculty and staff offices;
• Laboratories with combustible, flammable or other dangerous materials;
• Counseling and health services centers;
• Facilities providing child care for minor children;
• Roadrunner Café and John Peace Library dining areas;
• Athletics venues;
• Youth events sponsored by UTSA or other schools;
• Facilities with special uses, e.g. John Peace Library (JPL) Special Collections area, housing used for summer camps and orientation, official proceedings or hearings locations, the Multidisciplinary Studies Building testing center, the UTSA Police Department and Central Receiving.

Please review the policy and full list of exclusion zones at  UTSA.edu/campuscarry/policy.html.

FAQs

Does Constitutional Carry allow me to openly carry my firearm in a public place on campus?  

No. Constitutional Carry does not apply on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution. 

When does the new law take effect?

Campus carry takes effect on August 1, 2016, although UTSA put plans in place ahead of that date to educate and inform the campus community about the law.

Who developed UTSA's campus carry policy?

A campus carry task force comprised of UTSA students, faculty members, staff members and administrators in fall 2015 to develop recommendations to implement campus carry at UTSA. The task force organized listening sessions while it conducted its work to obtain input from the larger UTSA community and other university supporters. UTSA's campus carry plan was issued on April 13, 2016 and revised exclusion zones were issued on July 28, 2016.

Is there a difference between campus carry and open carry?

Yes. Texas Senate Bill 11 – known as "campus carry" – became law on Aug. 1, 2016 and allows people with a license to carry a handgun (LTC), with the exception of active duty military and police officers, to carry concealed handguns in permitted areas on campus. The handguns must remain concealed.

Texas House Bill 910 – known as "open carry" – became law on Jan. 1, 2016 and made it legal for LTC holders to visibly carry handguns in the state of Texas. However, open carry does not apply at public universities, including UTSA, so even when both laws are in effect, individuals will not be allowed to visibly carry handguns at UTSA.

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