Jonah Patel
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, also known as the constitutional carry bill, into law on June 16, 2021. The bill, which took effect on September 1, 2021, allows Texans to carry a handgun in public without a license or permit, as long as they are 21 years of age or older. This move has been praised by Republicans and gun rights activists as a restoration of Second Amendment rights, but it has also faced strong opposition from Texas Democrats and gun control activists who argue that it will increase gun violence in the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | House Bill 1927 |
| Other names | "Constitutional carry" bill, "permitless carry" bill |
| Signed by | Governor Greg Abbott |
| Date signed | June 16, 2021 |
| Effective date | September 1, 2021 |
| What it does | Allows Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit |
| Who it applies to | Texans 21 years or older who can legally possess a firearm |
| What it changes | Removes the licensing and training requirements to carry a pistol |
| What it doesn't change | Businesses can still prohibit guns by posting a sign |
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What You'll Learn
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs the 'constitutional carry' bill into law
- The bill allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit
- The bill removes the requirement for training and a criminal background check
- The bill directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a free, online gun safety course
- Texas Democrats and gun control activists have denounced the bill
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs the 'constitutional carry' bill into law
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 1927, also known as the "constitutional carry" bill, into law. The bill allows Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit. Abbott referred to the new law as "the biggest and best of them all".
The bill removes the licensing and training requirements for Texans who are 21 years or older to carry a pistol. It also allows those previously convicted of unlawfully carrying a handgun in public to have the conviction expunged from their record. Additionally, it provides a limited affirmative defense for those who mistakenly bring their handgun to certain prohibited places.
The "constitutional carry" bill was first passed by the Texas House in a vote of 82-62 and later by the Senate. It was signed into law by Governor Abbott on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, and went into effect on September 1, 2021. The governor made a show of affixing his signature to the legislation during a 25-minute ceremony at the Alamo on Thursday, where he was joined by other GOP lawmakers.
Governor Abbott has been criticised by Texas Democrats and gun control activists, who argue that the bill would increase gun violence in the state and make it easier for criminals to obtain firearms. They have also expressed frustration that the Legislature did not pass bipartisan gun control measures following multiple mass shootings in the state. However, Republicans argue that the bill appropriately expands gun rights under the Second Amendment.
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The bill allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, also known as the "constitutional carry" bill, into law on June 16, 2021. The bill allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit, provided they are 21 years of age or older. It removes the previous requirement for Texans to obtain a license to carry a handgun, which involved completing training and a criminal background check.
The "constitutional carry" bill was supported by Republicans, who argued that it appropriately expands gun rights under the Second Amendment. They also claimed that it puts Texas in line with at least 20 other states that have similar laws. The bill's author, Rep. Matt Schaefer, praised the compromise reached between members of the House and Senate. He called the bill the strongest restoration of Second Amendment rights in Texas history.
However, the bill has faced opposition from Texas Democrats and gun control activists, who argue that it will increase gun violence in the state and make it easier for criminals to obtain firearms. They have expressed frustration that the Legislature did not pass bipartisan gun control measures following multiple mass shootings in Texas. Despite this opposition, Governor Abbott proceeded with the bill signing, stating that it restores what our Constitution was supposed to be about.
The bill also includes provisions for expunging past convictions for unlawfully carrying a handgun in public and provides a limited affirmative defense for those who mistakenly bring their handguns to certain prohibited places. Additionally, it directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a free, online gun safety course, although training is no longer mandatory to carry a handgun.
Governor Abbott signed six other gun-related bills into law alongside the "constitutional carry" bill, including measures to prevent discrimination against the firearm industry in government contracts and to allow guests to store firearms and ammunition in hotel rooms.
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The bill removes the requirement for training and a criminal background check
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the "constitutional carry" bill, also known as House Bill 1927, into law on June 16, 2021. The bill removes the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns in public, effectively eliminating the need for training and a criminal background check.
Prior to the bill, Texans were required to undergo a training course and pass a written exam and a shooting proficiency demonstration to obtain a license to carry a handgun. The training course typically lasted four to six hours and covered various topics such as handgun use, safety, and proper storage practices.
Now, with the constitutional carry bill in effect, law-abiding Texans over the age of 21 (or 18 if they are a member or veteran of the U.S. military) can legally carry a handgun, either openly or concealed, without a permit. This means that individuals are no longer required to undergo any formal training or instruction on firearm safety and handling before carrying a handgun in public.
The removal of the training and background check requirements has been a source of concern for many law enforcement officers in Texas. They argue that permitless carry will make their jobs more dangerous and increase the potential for violent confrontations. Some officers have expressed worries about the presence of loaded weapons at every scene they respond to, making it difficult to identify the "good guy" in a situation.
While supporters of the bill argue that it aligns with Second Amendment rights and promotes self-defense, opponents caution that the lack of training and background checks could lead to accidental injuries or incidents involving firearms.
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The bill directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a free, online gun safety course
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, also known as the "constitutional carry" bill, into law on June 16, 2021. The bill, which took effect on September 1, 2021, allows Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit.
The bill also provides a provision for the expungement of previous convictions for unlawfully carrying a handgun in public. Additionally, it directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a free, online gun safety course. This course is intended to promote safe firearm handling practices and raise awareness about gun safety among Texans. While the training is no longer mandatory to carry a handgun, it is still highly recommended to ensure responsible gun ownership.
The Texas "constitutional carry" bill removes the requirement for a license to carry a handgun for individuals 21 years of age or older. It is worth noting that Texas is one of the largest states to implement such legislation, joining at least 20 other states with similar laws in place. The bill's proponents argue that it aligns with Second Amendment rights and appropriately expands gun rights for law-abiding Texans.
While the bill has been praised by Republicans and gun rights advocates, it has also faced criticism from Texas Democrats and gun control activists. They argue that the bill would increase gun violence and make it easier for criminals to obtain firearms. Despite these concerns, Governor Abbott and other GOP lawmakers have strongly supported the bill, hailing it as a significant restoration of Second Amendment rights in the state.
The Texas "constitutional carry" bill is a highly debated topic, with supporters applauding the expansion of gun rights and critics expressing concerns about public safety and the potential impact on gun violence. The bill's implementation in Texas, a large and influential state, has added a new dimension to the ongoing national discussion about gun control and the interpretation of the Second Amendment.
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Texas Democrats and gun control activists have denounced the bill
Texas Democrats and gun control activists have vehemently denounced the bill, citing dire safety concerns and arguing that it will make it more challenging for law enforcement to differentiate between legal gun owners and criminals. Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, emphasised the importance of background checks in ensuring police have that assurance. He questioned the notion of "law-abiding citizens", asking what exactly that looks like. Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, also pointed to a recent University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll, which found that 48% of Texans strongly oppose and 11% somewhat oppose the concept of permitless carry.
The bill has faced opposition from Austin's police chief and other law enforcement officials, who share the concern that removing the permit requirement will hinder their ability to identify legal gun carriers. They argue that the criminal background check currently needed to obtain a license to carry provides crucial information to police, allowing them to distinguish between law-abiding citizens and potential threats.
Additionally, Democrats proposed 18 amendments to the bill, all of which were rejected by Republicans. These amendments included measures such as required background checks for stranger-to-stranger gun sales, incentives for gun owners to promptly report stolen weapons, and allowing counties to opt out of permitless carry, especially for large counties facing heightened safety challenges.
Gun control activists and Democrats in Texas maintain that the bill poses a significant risk to public safety and will create unnecessary challenges for law enforcement in an already complex environment. They argue that the Second Amendment rights of citizens must be balanced with sensible regulations to ensure the safety of all Texans.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on June 16, 2021, 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, allows Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit.
Texans must be 21 years or older to carry a handgun in public without a permit.
Republicans argue that the bill appropriately expands gun rights under the Second Amendment. They also believe that it puts Texas in line with at least 20 other states with similar laws.
Democrats and gun control activists have denounced the bill, arguing that it would increase gun violence in Texas and make it easier for criminals to obtain guns.
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