In this opinion, the Texas Attorney General concluded: "Unless a church provides effective oral or written notice prohibiting the carrying of handguns on its property, a license holder may carry a handgun on church property as the law otherwise allows." It also interprets 2017 amendments to the Private Security Act that exempt religious institutions from certain fees for establishing volunteer security services.

Clarifies the Texas Penal Code to make it clear that places of worship are to be treated the same as other private property when determining whether a license holder may carry on premises. See the bill analysis for context and the author's/sponsor's intent.

SB 535 is a Texas law that became effective 9/1/2019. It was published with a bill analysis that includes an author/sponsor statement of intent. This statement says that the intent of SB 535 (2019) was to codify Attorney General Opinion No. KP-0176 and to "make it clear that places of worship are to be treated the same as other private property when determining whether a license holder may carry on premises."

This page from the Texas Attorney General's Office provides information and guidance on armed volunteer security teams at houses of worship in Texas.