Choosing ammunition goes beyond picking something that will safely and properly work in your preferred firearm, whether it’s a handgun, long gun, or another type of gun. You should also make sure the ammo you use is legal in Texas. One of the best ways to be informed about every aspect of legally carrying and using firearms in Texas is to take an online Texas LTC course. Below, we focus on what kinds of ammo are considered legal in the Lone Star State.
No Strict Regulations Apply in Texas
Texas doesn’t strictly regulate the types of ammunition you may purchase, in contrast to what’s common in many other states. Typically, if ammo is available for purchase at a local sporting goods store in Texas, it’s likely legal.
There’s One Notable Exception
Texas does prohibit armor-piercing ammunition that’s designed specifically and exclusively for handguns. These are bullets designed to penetrate ballistic armor and protective shields that would otherwise stop ammo of this nature.
United States statutes define ammunition as including:
• Cartridge cases
• Primers
• Bullets
• Propellant powder
Ammo, in general, includes anything mentioned above that’s designed for use in any firearm. Armor-piercing ammunition is more precisely defined, for legal purposes, as being made entirely or partly of some combination of brass, tungsten alloys, depleted copper, and various other metals and minerals. It also includes full jacketed projectiles larger than .22 caliber and intended to be used in a handgun. Additionally, the jacket must have a weight that exceeds 25 percent of the full/total weight of the projectile.
Note: There are some exceptions with armor-piercing ammo if you have the proper licensing, according to federal law.
Federal Law Applies as Well
Speaking of federal law, national laws that apply to ammunition also apply in Texas. Nationally, there are restrictions on ammo with “no sporting purpose.” This includes bullets larger than .50 caliber. Also, explosive munitions aren’t permitted. This refers to ammo that could also be considered a destructive device. Other types of ammo aren’t federally prohibited. Even so, there are requirements and stipulations that may apply.
Statutory Preemption in Texas
Texas doesn’t allow local governments in the state to infringe upon Second Amendment rights. In other words, state law supersedes any municipal or county laws or regulations specific to ammunition possession and storage. The only exception applies to explosives used for reloading.
Reloads
Many firearms enthusiasts in Texas prefer to reload with raw components. If this is what you prefer to do, you’ll need the necessary ingredients, which are usually purchased in bulk. There are no state restrictions on doing this in Texas. Still, some municipalities do have restrictions on how much powder can be purchased at one time.
Black Powder
Texas law also gives municipalities in the state the option to regulate the ownership and/or transportation of explosives. In some cases, there may not be any regulations on smokeless or black powder in quantities under 25 pounds. Some counties may also place restrictions on powder storage and transportation independent of any applicable municipal regulations.
One of the most important aspects of being a responsible gun owner is educating yourself on your jurisdiction’s laws governing legal types of ammunition. Fortunately, superior training in every facet of owning and using firearms is readily available. If you’re looking for a high-quality Texas LTC class, Online Texas LTC has what you need. We provide classes with professional instruction, flexible scheduling, and affordable pricing. For information on our wide array of classes, give us a call today at 512-675-2124.
