Eleanor Finch
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the constitutional carry bill into law on June 16, 2021, allowing Texans over the age of 21 to carry handguns in public without a license or training starting September 1, 2021. The bill, also known as House Bill 1927 or permitless carry, eliminates the previous requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license and undergo training to carry handguns if they are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Bill | Texas "constitutional carry" bill |
| Bill Number | House Bill 1927 |
| Date signed into law | June 17, 2021 |
| Effective date | September 1, 2021 |
| Signed by | Texas Governor Greg Abbott |
| Who else was present | Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, Wayne LaPierre (NRA executive), and other Republican lawmakers |
| What it changes | Texans over 21 can carry handguns in public without a license |
| Previous requirements | Texans needed a state-issued license, fingerprints, 4-6 hours of training, pass a written exam and a shooting proficiency test |
| New requirements | Must be 21 or older and the gun must be in a holster |
| Other bills signed at the same time | Senate Bill 19, Senate Bill 20, Senate Bill 550, House Bill 957 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs the 'constitutional carry' bill into law
- Texans can carry handguns without a license or training
- Police departments do not support the Texas constitutional carry gun bill
- The bill is referred to as The strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history
- The bill passed with 82-62 votes in the House and 17-13 in the Senate
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs the 'constitutional carry' bill into law
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed the "constitutional carry" bill into law, allowing Texans over the age of 21 to carry handguns in public without a license. The law, which took effect on September 1, 2021, removes the state's $40 fee for obtaining a handgun license and eliminates training requirements. While Texans are still forbidden from carrying guns in certain public places, such as schools and hospitals, and private businesses can prohibit customers from bringing guns inside, the new law is seen as a huge win for gun rights advocates.
Governor Abbott referred to the new law as "the biggest and best of them all" and "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." He also thanked the GOP lawmakers who authored and passed the legislation, saying they had built a "complete barrier of gun rights in Texas." The bill signing ceremony took place at Alamo Plaza, where Abbott was joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and several other Republican lawmakers.
The "constitutional carry" bill, also known as House Bill 1927, eliminates the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. Before the bill was signed into law, Texans generally needed to be licensed to carry handguns openly or concealed, with applicants submitting fingerprints, completing training, and passing a written exam and a shooting proficiency test.
While the "constitutional carry" bill has been celebrated by gun rights advocates, it has also faced opposition and criticism. Some Democrats and state lawmakers from El Paso denounced the bill, which was passed during the first legislative session since the 2019 massacres in El Paso and Midland-Odessa that left 30 people dead. Opponents have argued that the bill will make it easier for criminals to obtain guns and that it is especially offensive given the lack of gun control legislation passed in response to the mass shooting in El Paso in 2019.
Despite the criticism, the "constitutional carry" bill represents a significant shift in Texas gun laws and is in line with similar laws in at least 20 other states. Texans who still want to obtain a license to carry a handgun can do so, and the license will be recognized in several other states that require a permit to carry.
Kemp's Move: Did He Sign the Carry Bill?
You may want to see also
Texans can carry handguns without a license or training
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 1927, also known as the "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" bill, into law. This legislation allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a license or training, as long as they are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. The new law went into effect on September 1, 2021, and applies to Texans aged 21 and older.
Previously, Texans were required to obtain a license to carry handguns openly or concealed. The application process included submitting fingerprints, completing four to six hours of training, and passing a written exam and a shooting proficiency test. With the new law in place, these requirements have been eliminated, and eligible Texans can carry a handgun as long as it is in a holster.
Governor Abbott has referred to the "constitutional carry" bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history," and a victory for gun rights advocates. He has stated that the law simply restores the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Texans to keep and bear arms. However, critics argue that the move will lead to more gun violence and make it easier for criminals to obtain guns.
It is important to note that Texans are still forbidden from carrying guns in certain places, such as schools, hospitals, and amusement parks. Additionally, private businesses can prohibit their customers from bringing guns onto their premises. The "constitutional carry" law also does not change the existing law that Texans do not need a license to openly carry a rifle in public.
While Governor Abbott has celebrated this legislation as a win for gun rights, it has also sparked controversy and concern among those who worry about the potential impact on public safety and the ease of access to firearms.
Colorado's Constitutional Carry: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Police departments do not support the Texas constitutional carry gun bill
Police departments across the United States do not support the Texas "constitutional carry" gun bill, also known as House Bill 1927. Former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo stressed that law enforcement agencies do not support the bill, which would allow adults to carry a handgun without a background check, license, or training. Acevedo, who also served as the Miami PD chief, argued that "most responsible gun owners" do not support permitless, open carry, and that requiring a permit or license does not impede constitutional rights to bear arms.
Under the previous Texas state law, Texans were required to obtain a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. This entailed submitting fingerprints, undergoing training, passing a written exam, and demonstrating shooting proficiency. However, with the passage of the "constitutional carry" bill, these requirements have been eliminated for Texans 21 years of age or older.
Governor Greg Abbott has faced intense political pressure from conservatives and gun rights advocates to sign the bill into law. Despite initially being noncommittal, Abbott has expressed his support for the bill, referring to it as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." The bill took effect on September 1, 2021, and allows eligible Texans to carry handguns as long as they are in a holster.
While supporters of the bill celebrate it as a victory for conservative activists and the Second Amendment, police departments and some Democrats have raised concerns. They argue that removing the requirements for background checks, licenses, and training compromises public safety and is unnecessary to uphold the constitutional right to bear arms. The opposition from law enforcement underscores the contentious nature of the "constitutional carry" bill and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and public safety in the United States.
Wyoming's Constitutional Carry: Understanding the Law and Your Rights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The bill is referred to as The strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has referred to House Bill 1927 as "The strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history". The bill, which allows Texans to carry handguns without a permit, was signed into law by Abbott on June 16, 2021, and took effect on September 1, 2021.
Before the bill was passed, Texans were required to obtain a license to carry handguns openly or concealed. This involved submitting fingerprints, undergoing training, and passing a written exam and a shooting proficiency test. With the passing of the bill, these requirements were eliminated for eligible Texans aged 21 and above, who can now carry a gun as long as it is in a holster.
The bill has been praised by conservative activists and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied the Texas Legislature for permitless carry. However, it has also faced opposition from police departments and some Democrats and state lawmakers, who have raised concerns about the potential impact on public safety.
In addition to HB 1927, Governor Abbott also signed six other pieces of legislation to protect Second Amendment rights in Texas. These include House Bill 2622, which makes Texas a Second Amendment Sanctuary State, protecting Texans from new federal gun control regulations. Abbott has stated that these laws "will protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and ensure that Texas remains a bastion of freedom."
Kentucky's Constitutional Carry Law: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
The bill passed with 82-62 votes in the House and 17-13 in the Senate
The Texas "constitutional carry" gun bill, also known as Texas H.B. 1927, passed with 82-62 votes in the House and 17-13 in the Senate. The bill, which would allow Texans to carry handguns without a permit, was initially opposed by law enforcement and faced challenges in the Senate, where it was believed there were not enough votes for it to pass.
The bill's passage can be attributed to the efforts of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who created a new committee to get the bill to the floor for a vote. This move came after amendments were added to the bill to increase penalties for felons caught carrying guns and to prohibit people with convictions for domestic violence or making terroristic threats from openly carrying guns in public. The bill also included a provision barring the use of state resources to enforce any new federal gun laws, a preemptive measure aimed at preventing potential gun control measures from the Biden administration.
The "constitutional carry" bill faced opposition from police departments and former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, who explained that police departments across the country did not support the bill. Despite this opposition, the bill ultimately passed with a comfortable majority in both the House and the Senate.
The bill then moved to the Governor's desk, where Gov. Greg Abbott had publicly announced his intention to sign it into law. Abbott referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." The law came into effect on September 1, 2021, allowing Texans 21 and older to carry handguns without a permit as long as they are in a holster.
Virginia's Constitutional Carry: What's the Law?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the constitutional carry bill into law on June 16, 2021.
The constitutional carry bill, or House Bill 1927, allows Texans over the age of 21 to carry handguns in public without a license or training.
Governor Abbott referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history" and "the biggest and best of them all".
The bill was supported by gun rights advocates and conservative activists, who saw it as a restoration of Texans' constitutional right to bear arms. However, it was criticized by Democrats and gun control advocates, who argued that it would make it easier for criminals to obtain guns and potentially lead to more gun violence.
![Byrna SD [Self Defense] Kinetic Launcher Ultimate Bundle - Non Lethal Kinetic Projectile Launcher, Home & Personal Defense | Proudly Assembled in The USA](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81wu-phEIPL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
