"Texas has no laws regarding possession of handguns, shotguns, or rifles by persons 18 years or older without felony convictions; a rifle, shotgun, or other long-barreled firearm may be carried openly, however, a permit to carry is required for handguns (issued only to those 21 and older), and they must be concealed.
"However, to PURCHASE a handgun, you must be 21 or older in every state, per federal law in order to purchase from a federally licensed dealer. You can, however, purchase a handgun at 18 in a private sale."
Perhaps if he’s going into dangerous areas, a partner “riding shotgun” (pun intended) may make sense. This can’t be the first time the restauranteur has run into this issue either — is he advising Texas kids to do what they legally can’t?
I have a Texas CCL. You can carry concealed in your vehicle any time without a license. You are not allowed on school property with a gun in your vehicle without a CCL, so don’t go into a school parking lot. I would suggest a handgun, as I’ve tried to get a 30-30 rifle into action in a vehicle. Can’t do it if you’re in the driver’s seat, and someone standing at your window will kill you while you’re wrestling with it. He can put the handgun under a towel or in a console to keep it at hand. Hope he doesn’t ever have to use it. I carry a .45 in a fanny pack hanging on the passenger headrest. Plus one in the console and a .380 in my pocket. Can’t be too careful.
He can carry concealed in his car. You have to be 21 to get your CHL and purchase a pistol...but you can carry it concealed without a CHL in your vehicle according to this:
Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife, or club if the person is not:
(1) on the person’s own premises or premises under the person’s control; or
(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person’s control.