Between work at the office, kids’ practices, and everything else on the calendar in Grand Prairie, finding time to sit through an in-person firearms class can feel impossible. East Texas Security Training Academy (ETXSTA) solved that problem with a fully online License to Carry (LTC) course — state-approved, self-paced, and built for people who don’t have a free Saturday to spare.
Permitless Carry Exists — So Why Get Licensed?
Texas lets most eligible adults carry a handgun without any license at all. That leaves a lot of Grand Prairie residents wondering why they’d bother with the paperwork, the training, and the fee. Here’s the short answer: an LTC does things constitutional carry can’t.
- Out-of-state reciprocity — A Texas LTC is honored in 37 other states, which matters if you road-trip or travel for work.
- Access where permitless carry doesn’t reach — Some places and circumstances still require the license, permitless carry or not.
- Legal protections — Holding an LTC can work in your favor in certain legal situations.
- Quicker gun purchases — An LTC lets you bypass the NICS background check when buying from a licensed dealer.
How the ETXSTA Course Works
The program has two components. First is the online classroom instruction, which you can log into whenever you have a spare hour — no set class time, no commute. It walks you through Texas firearm law, when and how deadly force can legally be used, safe handgun handling and storage practices, ways to defuse a conflict before it escalates, and how to conduct yourself if you’re stopped by law enforcement while carrying.
The moment you finish, your LTC-104 Certificate of Training is available for instant download — this is the Texas Department of Public Safety’s official record that you’ve completed the required training, and DPS requires it with your application. Keep in mind it’s only valid for two years, so don’t let it sit unused.
Second is the live shooting proficiency test, done in person with an ETXSTA-certified instructor in Grand Prairie or a nearby location. The course of fire is 20 rounds at 3 yards, 20 rounds at 7 yards, and 10 rounds at 15 yards — 50 rounds total — with a minimum passing score of 70%. Applicants get up to three chances to pass the written exam and the range test within a rolling 12-month period, so one off day at the range won’t derail your plans.
Some Applicants Skip the Range Entirely
Active-duty military members and veterans who can show a qualifying range score or proof of firearms familiarization training within the past 10 years are exempt from the shooting test, as are state correctional officers and county jailers who completed firearms training on the job. For those groups, the online classroom course is all that’s required.
Who’s Eligible for a Texas LTC?
To apply, you’ll need to meet every one of these conditions:
- 18 years of age or older
- No felony conviction on your record
- No Class A or B misdemeanor conviction in the past five years
- Not currently restricted by a protective or restraining order
- No pending or active criminal charges
- Not chemically dependent
- Of sound mind
- Legally qualified to possess a handgun under state and federal law
- Not finally determined delinquent on child support
Grand Prairie residents choose ETXSTA because the whole process — from your first login to your certificate download to your range-day appointment — is designed to be straightforward, transparent, and quick.