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Permitless handgun carry in Texas takes effect on September 1st. The Texas Legislature passed a law this year that allows anybody age 21 or older to carry a gun in public without a permit, unless he's prohibited to have a gun because of a criminal record or mental health reasons. Existing law requires gun owners to get a state permit in order to carry a gun in public, whether concealed or openly. The new "constitutional carry" law doesn't eliminate the carry license but makes it optional.