Bill > HB5054

This bill modifies existing Texas education code to expand the open carrying options for school marshals across different educational institutions, including school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, private schools, and public junior colleges. Specifically, the bill allows uniformed school marshals to openly carry a handgun on their person, in addition to the existing provisions of carrying a concealed handgun or storing a handgun in a locked and secured location. The bill maintains the existing requirement that handguns must be loaded only with frangible duty ammunition approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. The changes will apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, and the bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or otherwise on September 1, 2025. A school marshal is a designated school employee who has been specially trained and authorized to carry a firearm on school premises as a security measure, and the bill provides more flexibility in how these marshals can carry their weapons while maintaining safety protocols.

Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5054