Omar Bennett
On June 16, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 into law, which took effect on September 1, 2021. Abbott referred to the new law as the biggest and best of them all and the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history. The bill, also known as constitutional carry, removes the licensing and training requirements for Texans who are 21 years or older to carry a pistol. Abbott held a signing ceremony at the Alamo in San Antonio, joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and several other Republican lawmakers who authored the legislation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Bill | Texas H.B. 1927, otherwise known as the permitless carry or "constitutional carry" |
| Date of Signing | June 18, 2021 |
| Location of Signing | Alamo, San Antonio |
| Effective Date | September 1, 2021 |
| Other Bills Signed | Senate Bill 19, Senate Bill 20, Senate Bill 550, House Bills 957 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 into law on June 16, 2021
- The bill, also known as HB1927, removes the licensing and training requirements for Texans over 21 to carry a pistol
- Abbott referred to the bill as the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history
- Six other gun-related bills were also signed into law by Abbott, including the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act
- The signing ceremony took place at the Alamo in San Antonio, which Abbott called the cradle of liberty in the Lone Star State
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 into law on June 16, 2021
Governor Abbott held a signing ceremony at the Alamo in San Antonio, where he referred to the new law as "the biggest and best of them all" and "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." He was joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and several other Republican lawmakers who authored the legislation.
In addition to the Firearm Carry Act of 2021, Governor Abbott also signed six other bills into law that were designed to extend and protect the right to keep and bear arms in Texas. These bills included:
- Senate Bill 19 - A bill that prohibits companies contracting with a government agency in Texas from having policies that discriminate against firearm entities or trade associations.
- Senate Bill 20 - A bill that allows guests to store firearms or ammunition in their hotel rooms and carry them directly from their vehicles to their rooms.
- Senate Bill 550 - A bill that expands the types of holsters that can be used to carry a pistol.
- House Bill 957 - A bill that removes prohibitions on suppressors in the Texas Penal Code.
Tennessee's Constitutional Carry: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
The bill, also known as HB1927, removes the licensing and training requirements for Texans over 21 to carry a pistol
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 HB1927, removes the licensing and training requirements for Texans over 21 to carry a pistol. Texans previously needed a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. The application process included submitting fingerprints, completing four to six hours of training, passing a written exam, and a shooting proficiency test.
HB1927 repeals the requirement for a license to carry a handgun in Texas. Texans aged 21 and over are now permitted to carry a gun as long as it is in a holster. Texans can still apply for a license to carry (LTC) if they wish, as it may carry additional benefits. For example, an LTC may be required to carry a handgun in another state that has a reciprocity agreement with Texas.
The bill was one of seven gun-related laws that Abbott signed into legislation during a ceremony at the Alamo in San Antonio. The laws were designed to extend and protect the right to keep and bear arms in Texas. Abbott referred to the bill as "the strongest Second Amendment legislation in Texas history."
The bill has been praised by gun rights supporters but criticised by others for the ease with which it allows guns to be purchased. Texans aged 18-20 can also obtain an LTC if they are protected by certain types of protective orders or magistrate's emergency protective orders.
South Carolina's Constitutional Carry: What's the Latest?
You may want to see also
Abbott referred to the bill as the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed seven bills into law on June 18, 2021, including the so-called "constitutional carry" bill. The bill, also known as House Bill 1927, removes the licensing and training requirements for Texans aged 21 and older to carry a pistol.
Abbott referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history". He also called the location of the ceremonial signing, the Alamo in San Antonio, "the cradle of liberty in the Lone Star State". Abbott said that the people who fought and lost their lives there "knew the necessity of being able to carry a weapon for the purpose of defending yourself against attacks by others".
The bill was supported by gun rights supporters and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry trade association. The NSSF particularly appreciated the nondiscrimination law that Governor Abbott signed and issued a statement. The law will prevent "woke" corporations from profiting from Texas tax dollars and using those profits to fund efforts to deny those same taxpayers their Second Amendment rights.
Other bills that Abbott signed into law included Senate Bill 19, which prohibits companies contracting with a government agency in Texas if they discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; Senate Bill 20, which allows guests to store firearms or ammunition in their hotel rooms; Senate Bill 550, which broadens the types of holsters a person is legally allowed to use to carry a pistol; and House Bill 957, which removes prohibitions on suppressors in the Texas Penal Code.
Idaho's Constitutional Carry: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Six other gun-related bills were also signed into law by Abbott, including the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed six other gun-related bills into law, including the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act, in addition to the constitutional carry bill. The signing ceremony for the seven bills was held at the Alamo in San Antonio, and the laws are designed to extend and protect the right to keep and bear arms in Texas.
The FIND Act, or SB 19, was praised by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry trade association. The Act prevents corporations from profiting from Texas tax dollars and using those funds to deny taxpayers their Second Amendment rights. The NSSF also highlighted the importance of the FIND Act in ensuring that the federal government does not "pick winners and losers in the marketplace based on politics" and protects the ability of the firearms industry to compete fairly.
The FIND Act was first introduced in Kansas in 2015 with HB 2311. Other states, such as Alabama (HB 327), Georgia (SB 282), and Tennessee (HB 561), introduced similar legislation around the same time. In 2021, Texas signed the FIND Act into law, providing protections for the firearms industry by requiring government contractors to verify that they do not discriminate against firearm entities or trade associations.
The six other gun-related bills signed by Governor Abbott include legislation to:
- Allow travelers in the state to store firearms in their hotel rooms.
- Exempt suppressors that are built, sold, and remain in Texas from regulation under the National Firearms Act.
- Prohibit the state government from closing firearm-related businesses during emergencies, as supported by the NSSF.
DeSantis Signs Constitutional Carry Bill: What It Means
You may want to see also
The signing ceremony took place at the Alamo in San Antonio, which Abbott called the cradle of liberty in the Lone Star State
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the constitutional carry bill, also known as House Bill 1927, into law on June 16, 2021. The signing ceremony took place at the Alamo in San Antonio, which Abbott called the "cradle of liberty in the Lone Star State." The Alamo was a fitting location for the ceremony, as Abbott highlighted the importance of being able to defend oneself, a value that was exemplified by those who fought and lost their lives at the historic site.
The bill, which Abbott described as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history", eliminates the requirement for Texans over the age of 21 to obtain a license or undergo training to carry a pistol. This move was applauded by gun rights supporters, who viewed it as a significant step towards protecting and extending the Second Amendment rights of Texans.
The ceremony was attended by several Republican lawmakers who authored the legislation, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and Senators Donna Campbell, Brandon Creighton, Charles Schwertner, and Drew Springer. Wayne LaPierre, an executive for the National Rifle Association, was also present, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
In addition to the constitutional carry bill, Abbott signed six other bills designed to protect gun rights in Texas. These included Senate Bill 19, which prevents companies contracting with government agencies in Texas from having policies that discriminate against firearm entities or trade associations. Senate Bill 20 addressed the rights of guests to store firearms and ammunition in their hotel rooms. Senate Bill 550 broadened the types of holsters that could be used to carry a pistol, and House Bill 957 removed prohibitions on suppressors in the Texas Penal Code.
Utah's Constitutional Carry: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
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 House Bill 1927, removes the licensing and training requirements for Texans who are 21 years or older to carry a pistol.
Abbott referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history" and "the biggest and best of them all".
