Trespass by license holder with openly carried handgun is which class?

• A. Class C Misdemeanor
• B. Class B Misdemeanor
• C. Class A Misdemeanor
• D. State Jail Felony

Answer: (A)

In Texas law, there are CHL-specific trespass offenses that address license holders who openly carry a handgun. When a person with a license to carry enters or remains on someone else’s property in violation of placards or warnings, the open-carry scenario is defined under a dedicated statute for license holders. That offense is classified as a Class C misdemeanor. This reflects that, while it is illegal and punishable, it’s considered a lower-level offense compared with other trespass or weapons-related offenses, and it does not carry jail time unless there are other factors. The distinct penalties for open carry versus concealed carry come from different provisions (the open-carry statute carries the lower Class C designation, while other related provisions may carry higher penalties in different circumstances).