Simone Lawson
As of 2021, Texas has passed a 'constitutional carry' bill, allowing Texans to carry handguns in public without a license. This bill, House Bill 1927, passed with a vote of 84-56, and permits those 21 and older to carry a handgun in public without a permit or training. Texas is now one of 20 states to adopt this law, with North Carolina potentially becoming the 30th state if Senate Bill 50 passes. This bill has sparked mixed reactions, with some arguing that it is a threat to public safety, while others support it as a way to uphold Second Amendment rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States that have passed the bill | Texas, North Carolina |
| Number of states that have passed the bill | 20-30 |
| Political affiliation of supporters | Republican |
| Political affiliation of opponents | Democrat |
| Supporters' reasons | Second Amendment rights, self-defence |
| Opponents' reasons | Public safety, impact on communities of colour |
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What You'll Learn
- Texas House passes a bill allowing unlicensed Texans to carry handguns
- North Carolina lawmakers seek to loosen gun laws with Senate Bill 50
- Texas Republicans push to make Texas the 20th state to adopt constitutional carry law
- Texas House approves bill allowing people to carry handguns without a permit
- The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act will protect citizens' rights to conceal carry
Texas House passes a bill allowing unlicensed Texans to carry handguns
Texas has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the United States. In April 2021, the Texas House approved a bill that would allow people to carry handguns without a permit, a law known as "constitutional carry". The bill, known as House Bill 1927, was signed into law by Gov. Abbott and came into effect on 1 September 2021.
The bill allows Texans over the age of 21 to carry handguns, either openly or concealed, without obtaining a state-issued license, as long as they are not excluded from possessing a firearm by another federal or state law. This includes a ban on carrying a firearm on the premises of a public or private institution of higher education. Texans were already permitted to carry a handgun in their vehicle without a permit, following the passing of H.B. 1815 in 2007.
The bill has received mixed reactions from Texans. Some believe that removing gun licensing will make Texas a more dangerous place to live and may deter people from visiting the state. There are concerns that people will be able to carry guns without training, and that it will be harder to prevent people with criminal records or a history of mental illness from obtaining guns. Supporters of the bill point out that several other states have already passed similar legislation without issues.
The bill only applies within Texas, so gun owners will have to be careful when travelling to other states.
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North Carolina lawmakers seek to loosen gun laws with Senate Bill 50
North Carolina lawmakers are seeking to loosen the state's gun laws with Senate Bill 50, which would make the state the 30th to legalize constitutional carry. This means gun owners would be able to carry their weapons in a concealed manner without obtaining a permit. Currently, those who wish to carry a concealed weapon in public in North Carolina must obtain a permit through their local sheriff's office and complete a safety and training course. If Senate Bill 50, dubbed "Freedom to Carry NC", passes, the permitting process would become optional.
The bill has the backing of some Senate Republicans, including president pro tempore Phil Berger, who is listed as a co-sponsor. Notably, Berger previously came out against a similar proposal introduced in 2023. The North Carolina Sheriffs' Association has not yet taken a stance on the proposal, with a group spokesperson saying they want to review both the Senate and House versions of the bill before taking a position.
If passed, Senate Bill 50 would represent a significant shift in North Carolina's gun laws and could have a major impact on how residents carry and register firearms. It is one of several gun-related bills introduced in the state, including House Bill 5, which has gained the most traction, and House Bill 9, which seeks to prevent local governments from regulating the discharge of firearms on private property as long as it is done with "reasonable care".
While the proposed changes to North Carolina's gun laws have the support of gun rights activists, they have faced opposition from some citizens and law enforcement leaders. Some citizens have expressed concerns about removing gun licensing requirements, arguing that it could make the state a more dangerous place to live. Additionally, law enforcement leaders have previously opposed similar proposals, indicating a potential point of contention in the debate surrounding Senate Bill 50.
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Texas Republicans push to make Texas the 20th state to adopt constitutional carry law
Texas Republicans have pushed for the state to become the 20th to adopt a constitutional carry law, which would allow people to carry handguns without a permit. The Texas House and Senate approved the bill, HB 1927, in April and May 2021, respectively, and it was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 16, 2021, taking effect on September 1, 2021.
The bill's passage faced opposition from some Texans and lawmakers, who raised safety concerns and cited a poll showing that most Texans opposed permitless carry. However, supporters of the bill argued that it would advance self-defense and trust in law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry a firearm for self-defense. They also pointed out that several other states had already passed similar legislation without experiencing negative consequences.
The Texas constitutional carry law allows gun owners to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit, but it only applies within the state of Texas. Texans who wish to carry guns in other states can still obtain a license, which is required for reciprocity with states that have similar laws.
Proponents of constitutional carry argue that it empowers victims and law-abiding citizens to defend themselves without government restrictions. They believe that the right to self-defense should not be contingent on obtaining a permit from the government. Additionally, they claim that permit requirements do not make people safer and that criminals will find ways to obtain weapons regardless of gun control laws.
On the other hand, opponents of constitutional carry express concerns about public safety and the potential for untrained or unqualified individuals to carry firearms in public. They advocate for more regulations and universal background checks to prevent people with criminal records or a history of mental illness from obtaining guns.
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Texas House approves bill allowing people to carry handguns without a permit
The Texas House of Representatives approved a bill allowing adults to carry guns without a permit. The lower chamber passed H.B. 1927 by a vote of 84-56 on Thursday, 15 April 2021. Under the legislation, anyone over the age of 21 and not otherwise prohibited from owning a firearm will be allowed to carry one. Texas law currently requires individuals to obtain licenses to carry handguns either openly or concealed.
The bill, spearheaded by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun.
The approval of the bill marks a win for gun rights activists who have for years pushed the measure at the Legislature but a blow to El Paso Democrats who have been fighting for gun safety measures since the 2019 massacre in their hometown. Initial approval came after several hours of emotionally charged debate, with Democrats pleading with their colleagues to reconsider their position on the legislation.
The bill now returns to the Texas House to consider changes made by the Senate during almost seven hours of debate, including GOP amendments designed to win support from reluctant Republicans. One of those amendments would create stiffer penalties for illegal weapons carried by felons and those convicted of family violence offenses. Another change removed House language that banned law officers from questioning somebody based solely on their possession of a handgun.
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The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act will protect citizens' rights to conceal carry
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, or H.R. 38, is a bill introduced by U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann and Richard Hudson. The bill aims to uphold the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens by establishing nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders and residents of constitutional carry states. This means that individuals who are eligible to carry a concealed firearm in their home state may do so in another state that permits its residents to carry concealed firearms, without worrying about conflicting state codes or civil suits.
The Act seeks to protect citizens' rights to conceal carry by creating a federal statutory framework that regulates the possession and carrying of concealed firearms across state lines. It is important to note that this bill does not apply to machine guns or destructive devices. The bill also sets forth requirements for lawful concealed carry across state lines, preempting most state and local laws related to concealed carry.
Supporters of the bill, such as Rep. Mann and Rep. Hudson, argue that it guarantees citizens' Second Amendment rights regardless of their geographical location. They believe that individuals should not be restricted by state lines when it comes to their constitutional rights. Additionally, supporters argue that the bill ensures legal gun owners can defend themselves regardless of where they are.
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act has garnered strong support, including from President Trump, who announced his backing for full concealed carry reciprocity following his reelection. However, it is worth noting that not everyone agrees with loosening gun laws. Some individuals, like Connie Matthews, express concern about removing gun licensing requirements, suggesting that it could make a state seem more dangerous and potentially deter people from visiting or relocating.
While the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act has not yet become law, its proponents continue to advocate for it, aiming to protect citizens' rights to conceal carry across state lines.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitutional Carry bill, also known as the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, is a bill that would allow US citizens to carry a concealed weapon in public without a permit.
The bill has been passed in Texas and North Carolina. It was passed in Texas in 2021 and in North Carolina in 2025.
The bill is supported by Republicans and gun rights groups, who argue that it upholds the Second Amendment right to bear arms. They also argue that it will allow law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their families. However, the bill is opposed by Democrats and gun control groups, who argue that it could make communities less safe, especially for people of color, and that it could lead to more gun violence. Some also argue that it could deter people from moving to the state.
