President of the Restaurant Association discusses impact of open carry law on restaurants & bars

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Based on new laws passed in the 2015 Texas Legislative Session, licensed gun owners in Texas will be permitted to openly carry handguns in all public places in a belt or shoulder holster beginning January 1, 2016. Many business owners are wondering how this will affect their businesses. Additionally, there are new specifications for signage in businesses that want to ban guns from their establishments.

Terry McBurney, President of the Greater Montgomery County Restaurant Association (MCRA), said, “Business owners that want to ban guns from their property must post a new sign that adheres to strict wording, colors and text size.” The Texas Department of Public Safety offers the following guidelines for signage:


The sign must appear in contrasting colors with block lettering.

The letters must be at least one inch in height.

The wording must appear in both English and Spanish.

The sign must be displayed conspicuously at the entrance to the property.

The wording must be as follows: “Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly.”

“While the new law offers specifics on open carry in public areas and private property, no changes have been made to restaurants and bars whose alcohol sales are greater than 50% of total sales,” said McBurney. “A license holder that carries a handgun, either concealed or openly, commits an offense if he or she carries the handgun on the premises of a business that has a TABC permit or license and earns greater than 50% of their income from alcohol sales.”

Whether you are a restaurant, bar, business owner or individual, learn more about the new laws for Concealed Handgun Licensing by visiting www.txdps.state.tx.us. For information on the Greater Montgomery County Restaurant Association, visit www.restaurantville.com.