Malcolm Rivera
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has publicly announced his intention to sign the constitutional carry bill, also known as Texas H.B. 1927, into law. The bill, which would allow Texans to carry handguns without a permit or license, has been the subject of debate, with supporters citing Second Amendment rights and opponents expressing concerns about gun violence and public safety. As of May 2021, the bill was awaiting the governor's signature, and it was expected to become law on September 1, 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Texas H.B. 1927 |
| Bill signed into law | Firearm Carry Act of 2021 |
| Date the bill was signed | June 16, 2021 |
| Date the bill took effect | September 1, 2021 |
| State | Texas |
| Governor | Greg Abbott |
| Governor's statement | "Guns save lives. There are numerous cases where a good guy with a gun, and that's become kind of a saying that they used to mock us, but it's true there are good people with guns that dispel crime" |
| Governor's intention | To reduce gun violence |
| Bill's impact | Texans could carry handguns without a permit |
| Previous state law | Texans needed a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles |
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What You'll Learn
Texas H.B. 1927
Governor Abbott had publicly announced his intention to sign the bill, referring to it as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history". The bill would remove the current state law requirement for Texans to obtain a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. The existing law mandates applicants to submit fingerprints, undergo training, and pass a written exam and a shooting proficiency test.
Supporters of the bill refer to it as "common sense carry", emphasizing the freedom and self-defense rights afforded by the Second Amendment. They argue that responsible gun owners should have the right to carry a firearm without unnecessary restrictions.
However, opponents of the bill, including Sheriff Richard Wiles, argue that it would increase the number of untrained individuals carrying weapons and erode safeguards that ensure safe and responsible gun ownership. Sheriff Wiles highlights the importance of current licensure requirements, which include hands-on training, qualification, and awareness of applicable laws and responsibilities. He also points out that many current licensure courses teach de-escalation tactics, which are crucial in potentially violent confrontations.
Despite the controversy, Governor Abbott indicated that he planned to sign the bill into law, and it was set to take effect on September 1, 2021.
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Texans can carry handguns without a permit
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 into law on June 16, 2021, which came into effect on September 1, 2021. The bill, also known as H.B. 1927 or "constitutional carry", allows Texans to carry handguns without a permit.
Under previous state law, Texans needed a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. This required applicants to submit fingerprints, complete four to six hours of training, pass a written exam, and a shooting proficiency test. The new law removes the license requirement, allowing eligible Texans aged 21 and older to carry a gun, as long as it is in a holster.
Supporters of the bill, such as Andy Hogue with the Travis County GOP, have argued that "guns save lives", and that "law-abiding citizens can be trusted to handle guns". Sen. Charles Schwertner also stated that the bill is a "simple restoration of Texans' constitutional right under the Second Amendment".
However, the bill has faced opposition from anti-gun rights groups, and some have expressed concerns that it may lead to an increase in gun violence. One opponent, Espinoza, noted the irony of the Governor's intention to sign the bill, given his previous commitment to reducing gun violence in the state. Despite this opposition, the bill was passed by the Texas Senate and signed into law by Governor Abbott.
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Texas becomes 21st state to have constitutional carry
Texas has become the 21st state in the US to have constitutional carry, allowing eligible Texans to carry handguns without a permit. Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill, also known as the Firearm Carry Act of 2021, into law on June 16, 2021, and it took effect on September 1, 2021.
The bill, Texas H.B. 1927, removes the requirement for a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside one's home or vehicle. Previously, Texans had to submit fingerprints, complete training, pass a written exam, and pass a shooting proficiency test to obtain a license. With the new law in place, Texans 21 years and older can carry a gun as long as it is holstered.
Governor Abbott has referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." Supporters of the bill, such as Andy Hogue with the Travis County GOP, argue that "guns save lives," and that "law-abiding citizens can be trusted to handle guns." They see the bill as a restoration of Texans' constitutional right to bear arms under the Second Amendment.
However, the bill has also faced opposition. With gun violence on the rise, some individuals, including Espinoza, hoped that Governor Abbott would change his mind and reject the bill. Democrats, who are in the minority in both bodies, fear that the bill will endanger Texans and make them more vulnerable to mass shootings.
Prior to Texas, Tennessee became the 20th state to institute constitutional carry in April 2021. Other states with similar laws include Vermont, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Indiana.
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Gun violence concerns
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 into law on June 16, 2021, which came into effect on September 1, 2021. The bill, known as "constitutional carry", allows eligible Texans aged 21 and older to carry handguns in a holster without a license, background check, or training.
The "constitutional carry" bill has sparked concerns about increased gun violence and public safety. Opponents of the bill, including gun safety advocates and anti-gun rights groups, argue that removing the license requirement and allowing individuals to carry handguns without proper training and background checks poses a significant risk to public safety. They worry that easing access to firearms without ensuring responsible gun ownership will lead to more gun-related incidents and homicides.
The bill has been criticised for potentially endangering communities by making firearms more accessible to individuals who may not have the necessary training and proficiency in handling and storing weapons safely. This includes concerns about untrained gun owners carrying firearms in sensitive places like schools and government buildings, where the presence of guns could escalate conflicts and lead to accidental shootings or intentional violence.
Gun control advocates and law enforcement officials also worry that the lack of background checks and training requirements may increase the risk of firearms ending up in the wrong hands, such as individuals with a history of violence, mental health issues, or substance abuse. They argue that background checks and training are essential components of responsible gun ownership and play a crucial role in preventing gun-related crimes and tragedies.
Additionally, there are concerns about the potential impact on law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Opponents of the bill fear that easing access to firearms without proper regulation could lead to increased gun-related crimes, putting additional strain on law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system. They argue that the focus should be on implementing measures to reduce gun violence and improve public safety rather than loosening restrictions on firearm possession and carrying.
Gun control advocates propose several alternative measures to address gun violence concerns. These include raising the minimum age for gun ownership to 21, implementing "red flag laws" to remove guns from individuals posing a risk to themselves or others, requiring guns to have smart technologies that restrict their use to authorised individuals, and extending background checks to unlicensed gun transactions, such as those that occur at gun shows.
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Special interests and anti-gun rights groups' opposition
Special interest groups and anti-gun rights activists have been vocal in their opposition to the Constitutional Carry Bill. These groups have launched campaigns to pressure Governor Abbott to veto the bill, despite his public announcement that he intends to sign it into law. The bill, known as "constitutional carry", eliminates the requirement for a license to carry a handgun outside one's home or vehicle. This has sparked concern among those who advocate for stricter gun control measures.
Gun control groups have increased their spending and lobbying efforts in recent years, with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety super PAC emerging as a leading outside spender supporting gun control. These groups argue that the bill infringes on existing constitutional rights and judicial precedent. They also believe that the bill's lack of provisions for background checks and waiting periods makes it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain firearms.
In addition, gun control advocates have expressed concern over the influence of gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America. These organizations have a strong membership base and significant financial resources, which they use to lobby lawmakers and influence policy. They argue that the Constitutional Carry Bill strengthens their argument for protecting Second Amendment rights and have worked to block and defeat gun control proposals.
The opposition to the Constitutional Carry Bill by special interest groups and anti-gun rights activists highlights the ongoing debate and strong feelings surrounding gun legislation in the United States. Despite the opposition, Governor Abbott's decision to sign the bill underscores the influence of gun rights advocates in Texas and their success in shaping legislation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on June 16, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 into law, which took effect on September 1, 2021.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as H.B. 1927, allows eligible Texans 21 years and older to carry a gun as long as it is in a holster.
Some lawmakers hailed the bill, with Sen. Charles Schwertner calling it, "A simple restoration of Texans' constitutional right under the Second Amendment, a right of the people to keep and bear arms." However, Democrats and anti-gun rights groups feared the bill would endanger Texans and make them more vulnerable to mass shootings.
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