Eleanor Finch
On June 16, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, allowing Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit. The bill, also known as constitutional carry, was supported by Republicans and gun rights activists, who argued that it appropriately expanded Second Amendment gun rights. However, it faced opposition from Democrats, gun control activists, and law enforcement officials, who raised concerns about public safety and the potential for increased gun violence. The law went into effect on September 1, 2021, making Texas the 21st state to implement constitutional carry legislation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Texas "constitutional carry" bill |
| Bill number | H.B. 1927 |
| Date signed into law | June 16, 2021 |
| Effective date | September 1, 2021 |
| What it does | Allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit |
| Who opposed it | Police, Texas Democrats, gun control activists, Progress Texas, Texas Gun Sense |
| Who supported it | Republicans, gun rights activists, Governor Greg Abbott |
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What You'll Learn
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the 'constitutional carry' bill into law in June 2021
- The bill allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit or license
- It was formally signed into law on Wednesday, with the governor affixing his name on Thursday
- The bill was opposed by gun control advocates and some Democratic Senators
- The bill's supporters say it restores Texans' Second Amendment right to bear arms
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the 'constitutional carry' bill into law in June 2021
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the "constitutional carry" bill into law in June 2021. The bill, known as House Bill 1927, allows Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit. This makes Texas the 21st state to implement constitutional carry.
Governor Abbott has referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." He believes that it appropriately expands Texans' gun rights under the Second Amendment. Abbott also stated that the bill "restores what our Constitution was supposed to be about."
The bill was passed by the Texas House in an 82-62 vote and later approved by the Texas Senate in a 17-13 vote. It was then sent to Governor Abbott, who had previously expressed his intention to sign it into law. The bill went into effect on September 1, 2021.
While the bill was supported by Republicans and gun rights advocates, it faced opposition from Democrats, gun control activists, and law enforcement officials. They argued that the bill would increase gun violence and make it easier for criminals to obtain firearms. Some Democratic Senators raised concerns that the bill would endanger Texans and put the state's police officers at risk. Additionally, a University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll indicated that a majority of Texas voters did not support permitless carry.
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The bill allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit or license
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expressed his intention to sign a bill that would allow Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit or license. The bill, known as "constitutional carry", has been the subject of much debate, with some supporting it as a strong Second Amendment legislation while others raise concerns about gun violence.
Under the current state law, Texans need a state-issued license, also known as a License to Carry (LTC), to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. The new bill, House Bill 1927, would remove this requirement, allowing individuals over the age of 21 to carry handguns openly or concealed without a license as long as they are not restricted from possessing firearms by federal or state law. Texans can still choose to obtain an LTC, as it may carry additional benefits and is recognized in several other states.
The bill has faced opposition from those concerned about increasing gun violence and the lack of training required to carry firearms in public. Despite this, Governor Abbott has stated his support for the bill, referring to it as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." He has indicated that he will sign the bill into law once it reaches his desk, and it is set to take effect on September 1, 2021.
With the passage of this bill, Texas will become the 21st state to have constitutional carry. This means that law-abiding citizens will no longer need a permit to carry handguns in most public places. However, it is important to note that there are still restrictions on carrying firearms in certain locations, such as schools, institutions of higher education, and certain areas of educational institutions. Additionally, individuals must not have prior felony convictions or recent convictions for certain types of misdemeanors to qualify for constitutional carry.
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It was formally signed into law on Wednesday, with the governor affixing his name on Thursday
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the "constitutional carry" bill into law on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, with the official signing ceremony taking place on Thursday, June 17, 2021. The bill, also known as House Bill 1927, allows Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit. This makes Texas the 21st state to implement constitutional carry, joining at least 20 other states with similar laws.
Governor Abbott has long supported the bill, referring to it as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." He affirmed his intention to sign the bill into law, stating, "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." Abbott's support for the bill faced criticism from gun control advocates, who argued that it would increase gun violence and make it easier for criminals to obtain firearms.
The bill removes the requirement for Texans to obtain a license to carry handguns openly or concealed. Previously, applicants had to submit fingerprints, undergo training, and pass written and shooting proficiency tests. The bill also enhances criminal penalties for felons and family violence offenders caught carrying illegal weapons. Additionally, it mandates the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a free online gun safety course, although training is no longer mandatory to carry a handgun.
The signing of the bill was met with strong opposition from gun control advocates and Democratic Senators, who raised concerns about the potential impact on the safety of Texans and law enforcement officers. Despite the controversy, the bill was approved by the House and Senate before being sent to Governor Abbott for signature. The law went into effect on September 1, 2021, and Texans who still wish to obtain a license to carry can do so, as the license is recognized in several other states that require a permit to carry.
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The bill was opposed by gun control advocates and some Democratic Senators
The Texas "constitutional carry" bill, or HB 1927, was opposed by gun control advocates and some Democratic Senators. The bill, which would allow Texans to carry handguns without a license, was seen by opponents as a threat to public safety and an encouragement of gun violence.
Ed Espinoza of Progress Texas, for example, argued that the bill went against the Governor's commitment to reducing gun violence and that it flew "in the face of all that, to everybody who has lost someone in some sort of a shooting in the past few years." Similarly, the former Houston Police Chief Acevedo stated, "From chiefs to sheriffs to police labor, we do not support permit-less, open carry." He also asserted that most responsible gun owners did not support the bill.
Some Democratic Senators shared these concerns, with state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, asking, "Are you aware there are a large number of families on both sides of the aisle who are literally afraid of your legislation?" According to a poll by FOX 7 Austin, 51% of respondents voted no to constitutional carry, indicating that a majority of Texans did not support the bill.
Despite the opposition, the bill ultimately passed in the Texas Senate and was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 17, 2021. It went into effect on September 1 of that same year.
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The bill's supporters say it restores Texans' Second Amendment right to bear arms
The Second Amendment, enacted in 1789, is a contentious topic. Some interpret it as providing an absolute right to own weapons, while others argue that it limits the right to bear arms to serving in a state militia. The amendment's single sentence allows for considerable interpretation and has been the subject of debate for centuries.
The historical background of the Second Amendment is rooted in the 1600s when English kings disarmed their subjects to maintain power. American colonists, fearing the same fate, revolted and ultimately displaced King James II in 1688. This led to the English Bill of Rights in 1689, which assured subjects that they would not be disarmed. The Second Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights, aimed to ensure the efficiency of a well-regulated militia, deeming it necessary to the security of a free State.
In Texas, the right to bear arms has a long history, with gun rights activists pushing for "constitutional carry." The state's constitutions of 1836, 1845, 1869, and 1876 all included the right to bear arms, reflecting milestones in Texas's legal and political history. The Texas Constitution of 1836, in particular, strongly protected the right to keep and bear arms, influenced by the recent necessity of arms for self-defence and community defence.
Supporters of the bill in Texas argue that it restores Texans' Second Amendment right to bear arms, which they believe is a fundamental liberty that should be guaranteed against state action. They see it as a way to support militia readiness and prevent tyranny, with some stating that law-abiding citizens can be trusted to handle guns responsibly. Additionally, they may argue that the bill promotes individual freedom and self-defence, which are important values in Texas.
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Frequently asked questions
Gov. Abbott signed the constitutional carry bill, also known as House Bill 1927, into law on June 16, 2021.
The bill proposed that Texans could carry holstered handguns in public without a permit or license.
The constitutional carry bill came into effect on September 1, 2021.
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