Omar Bennett
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign the constitutional carry bill into law, which would allow Texans to carry handguns without a license, openly or concealed. The bill, known as HB 1927, has been approved by the Texas Senate and is now awaiting the Governor's signature. Abbott has stated that he will sign the bill, referring to it as the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history. However, there are concerns about the potential impact of the bill on gun violence in the state, with some Texans and police departments expressing their opposition to the legislation. If signed into law, Texas will become the 21st state to have constitutional carry. The law is set to take effect on September 1, 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | "Constitutional carry" bill |
| What it entails | Texans can carry handguns without a license |
| Current status | Awaiting signature from Gov. Abbott |
| When will Gov. Abbott sign the bill | No exact date but he has stated his intention to sign it |
| When will the bill come into effect | September 1, 2021 |
| Current law | Texans need a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles |
| Number of states with similar laws | At least 20 other states |
| Supporters | Conservatives, gun rights advocates, Andy Hogue, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Charles Schwertner |
| Opponents | Gun control advocates, Democratic Senators, Ed Espinoza, Ed Scruggs, police departments |
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What You'll Learn
Texas Senate approved the bill, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott
The Texas Senate has approved the "constitutional carry" bill, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. The bill would allow Texans to carry handguns without a license, openly or concealed, and is expected to be signed into law by the Governor, who has expressed his support for the measure.
Abbott has stated that he believes the bill is "making progress" and that he intends to sign it into law. In the past, he has referred to it as “the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history.” The bill has been a long time coming, as constitutional carry has been proposed at every legislative session for the past decade without success.
The Texas "constitutional carry" bill has been controversial. Proponents, primarily Republicans and gun rights advocates, argue that it is a restoration of Texans' constitutional right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment. They also believe that law-abiding citizens can be trusted to handle guns safely. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who was initially noncommittal about the bill, faced pressure from conservatives and gun rights advocates to support it.
On the other hand, opponents of the bill, including gun control advocates and some Democratic Senators, have raised concerns about the potential impact on public safety. They argue that making it easier to carry firearms could endanger Texans and make the state more vulnerable to mass shootings. According to a poll by FOX 7 Austin, 51% of respondents voted against the idea of constitutional carry, indicating that a majority of Texans do not support permitless carry.
Despite the mixed reactions, the bill has moved through the Texas legislature with support, and now awaits the Governor's signature to become law.
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Texans will be able to carry handguns without a permit
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign a bill that would allow Texans to carry handguns without a permit, a proposal known as "constitutional carry". The bill, HB 1927, has already been approved by the Texas House and Senate and is now on the governor's desk. Abbott has stated that he will sign the bill, saying, "Once the Senate passes it out, the House and Senate will convene and work out any differences and get it to my desk, and I'll be signing it."
The bill would remove the requirement for Texans to obtain a license to carry handguns openly or concealed. Currently, Texans must generally be licensed to carry handguns in public, with applicants having to submit fingerprints, complete training, and pass a written exam and a shooting proficiency test. The new legislation would also not require a waiting period or background check.
Proponents of the bill, including Abbott, argue that it is a restoration of Texans' constitutional right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment. 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, also believe that "guns save lives" and that constitutional carry will help to dispel crime.
However, the bill has faced opposition from gun control advocates and Democrats, who argue that it will endanger Texans and make them more vulnerable to gun violence and mass shootings. According to a poll by FOX 7 Austin, 51% of respondents voted no to constitutional carry. Ed Espinoza with Progress Texas criticised the bill, saying, "Texas leaders are ignoring what most people want... [the Governor's] intent to sign this law is flying in the face of all that, to everybody who has lost someone in some sort of a shooting in the past few years." The bill has also been opposed by police departments across the country, including the former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.
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The bill is also known as HB 1927
The bill, also known as HB 1927, permits Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit. It repeals the requirement for a "belt or shoulder" holster, but if any part of the handgun is visible, it must be in a holster. HB 1927 does not change how an individual can purchase a firearm, and retail purchases or those through gun dealers still require a background check. However, it repeals TABC signs prohibiting unlicensed carry in locations that sell alcohol off-premises, such as grocery stores and gas stations.
The bill also maintains the list of currently prohibited places for carrying a firearm without a licence, including schools, polling places, courts, racetracks, airports, bars, correctional facilities, civil commitment facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, mental hospitals, amusement parks, and government meetings. HB 1927 also prohibits the unlicensed carrying of a firearm in a public place while intoxicated, and federal law continues to restrict carrying on federal property, including post offices and military installations.
Private businesses and churches can prohibit unlicensed carry by giving notice, and they can choose to allow only concealed carry. If a property owner or someone with authority states that carrying a firearm is prohibited, the individual must leave immediately, or they will face a penalty. HB 1927 also increases penalties for unlawful possession of a firearm by felons, individuals convicted of a Class A misdemeanour family violence, and those subject to a protective order.
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The bill will take effect on September 1, 2021
The Texas "constitutional carry" bill, also known as HB 1927, has been awaiting Governor Greg Abbott's signature to become law. The bill, which would allow Texans to carry handguns without a license, has been the subject of much debate, with proponents arguing that it is a restoration of Texans' constitutional right to keep and bear arms, while opponents raise concerns about the potential impact on gun violence and public safety.
Governor Abbott has publicly announced his intention to sign the bill, referring to it as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." On May 25, 2021, he tweeted, "Texas is on its way to becoming a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State," indicating his support for the bill. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2021, and Texans who still want to obtain a license to carry can do so. This license is recognized in several other states that require a permit to carry, so it may be useful for individuals who travel.
The Texas Senate and House approved the bill in May 2021, with the Senate passing it in a 17-13 vote, and the House approving it in an 82-62 vote. This marked a significant breakthrough for permitless carry, which had struggled to gain support in previous legislative sessions. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who was initially noncommittal about the bill, played a key role in getting it to the floor for a vote.
Despite the bill's progress, it has faced opposition from various quarters. According to a poll by FOX 7 Austin, 51% of respondents voted against constitutional carry. Ed Espinoza of Progress Texas criticized Texas leaders for ignoring the majority's wishes, referencing the governor's previous commitments to reducing gun violence. Gun control advocates have also raised alarms about easing access to firearms, particularly in light of recent instances of gun violence in the state, including the 2019 massacres in El Paso and Midland-Odessa that left 30 people dead.
The bill has also faced opposition from law enforcement, with former Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo speaking out against it. Some Democratic Senators have expressed concerns that the bill will endanger Texans and put the state's police officers at risk. They worry that the legislation will make Texas more vulnerable to mass shootings and increase gun violence. Despite these concerns, the bill is expected to become law with Governor Abbott's signature.
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The bill has been opposed by gun control advocates
The "Constitutional Carry" bill, also known as the "permitless carry" bill, has been opposed by gun control advocates and groups who are concerned about the potential impact of making firearms more accessible. This concern is heightened by the instances of gun violence in Texas, including the 2019 massacres in El Paso and Midland-Odessa that resulted in 30 deaths.
Gun control groups argue that the bill will endanger Texans and put the state's law enforcement officers at risk. Some Democratic Senators share this concern, worried that the legislation will make Texans more vulnerable to mass shootings. They also highlight the fear expressed by families on both sides of the political aisle regarding the potential consequences of the bill.
Additionally, gun control advocates believe that the bill undermines the standards set by states for concealed carry permits. They argue that reciprocity, or the recognition of another state's concealed carry standards, could lead to a "gutting" of state standards. This is because some states have weaker requirements or none at all, and training programs vary significantly.
The opposition to the bill is not limited to gun control groups and Democratic Senators. A University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll revealed that a solid majority of Texas voters do not support permitless carry. Despite this, the bill has gained momentum due to pressure from conservatives and gun rights advocates, who have long lobbied for permitless carry in the state.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Governor Abbott has stated that he will sign the bill into law.
Governor Abbott is expected to sign the bill into law on Sept. 1, 2021.
The bill, also known as H.B. 1927, will allow Texans to carry handguns without a license or permit, in public, openly or concealed.
