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May 6, 2004

Texas Signs Ninth Concealed Handgun Reciprocity Agreement

Texas has signed a reciprocal agreement with North Carolina, allowing citizens with concealed handgun licenses issued by North Carolina to legally carry concealed handguns in Texas, and vice versa.

Gov. Rick Perry signed the reciprocity agreement with the state of North Carolina, allowing licensees to visit Texas with their concealed handguns.

"This agreement will allow licensed Texans to travel freely in North Carolina, while enjoying the same or similar privileges their licenses give them at home," DPS Director Thomas Davis Jr. said.

This reciprocity agreement-the ninth Texas has reached with another state-was made possible by 1997 changes to the state's concealed handgun law. Texas also has reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee,Oklahoma, Kentucky and Wyoming.

"Texans should remember that laws vary from state to state, and before traveling, license holders should educate themselves about laws in other states that govern where and when they can legally carry their concealed handguns," Davis said.