DPS Launches Program that Verifies Concealed Carry Permits

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety has launched a new public webpage and automated telephone line that will allow Federal Firearms Licensees to verify if a person’s Texas License to Carry (LTC) permit is valid when he or she attempts to use it as an alternative permit to purchase a firearm.

In Texas, individuals with a LTC may use it as an alternative permit to authorize a firearm transfer without requiring a national instant criminal or NICS check.

The new website and phone line were implanted as a tool that allows the verification of permits and can identify those who may have had their permit revoked but did not surrender the actual card. According to DPS, less than 35 percent of suspended, revoked, or otherwise invalid LTC’s are surrendered as requested. 

While verifying the permits with the new system is not required by law, DPS highly encourages federal firearm licensees to use the system. The search will return results indicating if the LTC qualifies for use as an alternative permit. The results are based either on the license holder no longer meeting Texas’ statutory eligibility criteria or are based on the reported death of the license holder. 

An invalid LTC does not mean the individual may not legally purchase a firearm under federal law - there are state disqualifiers for license eligibility that are not federal disqualifiers. For this reason, the presentation of an invalid LTC does not mean the firearm transfer should not proceed, but only that the prospective purchaser is not exempt from the NICS check.

DPS clarifies that while they are not aware of any invalid LTC permits being used for these types of transactions, they are now providing a “convenient avenue to verify an LTC…an important safeguard to prevent such an action.”

This tool is available 24/7 online at http://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/ltc/LTCChecker/ or by calling (512) 424-5700.