Malcolm Rivera
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, otherwise known as the constitutional carry or permitless carry bill, into law on June 16, 2021, allowing Texans over the age of 21 to carry handguns in public without a license or permit. The law, which went into effect on September 1, 2021, was hailed by Republicans as a restoration of Second Amendment rights and a victory for gun rights advocates, but criticized by others as a potential contributor to increased gun violence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | June 16, 2021 |
| Effective date | September 1, 2021 |
| Bill number | HB 1927 |
| Location of signing | Alamo |
| Number of gun bills signed into law | 7 |
| Other bills signed into law | SB 19, SB 20, SB 550, HB 957, HB 1500, HB 2622 |
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What You'll Learn
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs the 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 bill, also known as House Bill 1927, was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 16, 2021, and went into effect on September 1, 2021.
The "constitutional carry" bill removes the state's $40 fee for obtaining a handgun license and eliminates the need for training and a background check. Texans who are 21 years or older will be able to carry a handgun in a holster, either openly or concealed, without a permit. The bill also allows officers to disarm a person if they feel threatened and increases penalties for felons and domestic violence offenders caught carrying a firearm.
Governor Abbott has referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history," and a victory for Second Amendment rights. He has also stated that it "restores what [the] Constitution was supposed to be about." The bill was passed with support from Republicans, who argue that it appropriately expands gun rights and puts Texas in line with at least 20 other states with similar laws.
However, not everyone agrees with the new law. Critics argue that it will lead to increased gun violence. There have been concerns raised about the timing of the bill's signing, with some pointing to a recent mass shooting in Austin, Texas, that left one person dead and 13 others wounded. Despite these concerns, Governor Abbott followed through on his promise to sign the bill, making Texas the 21st state to have constitutional carry.
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Texans 21+ can carry a gun in a holster without a permit
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, also known as the "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" bill, into law on June 16, 2021. The bill allows Texans aged 21 and above to carry a handgun in public without a license or permit, as long as the gun is in a holster.
The bill removes the previous requirement for Texans to obtain a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. Previously, Texans had to submit fingerprints, undergo training, pass a written exam, and pass a shooting proficiency test to obtain a license.
Governor Abbott has referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history," and a restoration of "what our Constitution was supposed to be about." The bill's supporters argue that it appropriately expands gun rights under the Second Amendment and puts Texas in line with at least 20 other states with similar laws.
However, not everyone agrees with the bill. Critics argue that it will lead to increased gun violence. There have been efforts by anti-gun rights groups to pressure Governor Abbott to veto the bill, but these were ultimately unsuccessful.
In addition to House Bill 1927, Governor Abbott also signed several other bills related to firearms, including Senate Bill 19, which bars government contracts with entities that discriminate against the firearm industry, and Senate Bill 20, which prevents hotels from implementing restrictive gun policies. These bills also went into effect on September 1, 2021.
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Texans can carry a gun openly or concealed without a license
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, also known as the "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" bill, into law on June 16, 2021. The bill removes the requirement for Texans to obtain a license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. Texans over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm will be able to carry a handgun in public, either openly or concealed, without a permit, as long as it is in a holster. The law went into effect on September 1, 2021.
Prior to the passage of this bill, Texans were required to obtain a state-issued license to carry a handgun outside their homes and vehicles. This process included submitting fingerprints, completing four to six hours of training, passing a written exam, and demonstrating shooting proficiency. With the new law in place, eligible Texans will no longer need to undergo these requirements to carry a handgun.
The "constitutional carry" bill was strongly supported by gun rights advocates, who argued that it appropriately expands Second Amendment rights. Governor Abbott referred to it as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history." The bill's supporters also claimed that it would restore Second Amendment rights to law-abiding Texans. However, the bill faced opposition from those concerned about increasing gun violence. Some critics argued that the bill contradicted the Governor's previous commitments to reduce gun violence in the state.
In addition to the "constitutional carry" bill, Governor Abbott also signed several other pieces of legislation related to firearms. These included Senate Bill 19, which bars government contracts with entities that discriminate against the firearm industry, Senate Bill 20, which prevents hotels from implementing restrictive gun policies, and Senate Bill 550, which gives handgun carriers more freedom in choosing their holsters. The signing of these bills further solidified Texas's stance on gun rights and made it the 21st state to have constitutional carry.
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Texas becomes the 21st state to have constitutional carry
Texas has become the 21st state to allow its citizens to carry handguns in public without a permit, in what is known as "constitutional carry". The bill, HB 1927, was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on 16 June 2021, and came into effect on 1 September 2021.
The bill removes the state's $40 fee for obtaining a handgun license, as well as training requirements, including fingerprinting, a written exam, and a shooting proficiency test. Texans over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm will be able to carry a handgun in a holster, either concealed or openly, without a license.
Supporters of the bill, including Governor Abbott, have praised it as a victory for Second Amendment rights and a boost for self-defence. Abbott referred to the bill as "the strongest second amendment legislation in Texas history", and supporters have argued that it simply restores the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Texans. The bill's author, Rep. Matt Schaefer, called it "the strongest restoration of Second Amendment rights that any of us have ever seen in the history of the state of Texas".
However, the bill has also faced criticism and opposition from those concerned about increasing gun violence. Ed Espinoza from Progress Texas, for example, argued that Texas leaders are ignoring what most people want, pointing to a poll by FOX 7 Austin where 51% voted no to constitutional carry. Critics have also noted the timing of the bill, which comes in the wake of several mass shootings in the state, and have expressed concern that it will only lead to more gun violence.
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Gun control advocates raise concerns about gun violence
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1927, also known as the "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" bill, into law on June 17, 2021. The bill removes the requirement for a license to carry a handgun in Texas and eliminates the training, waiting period, and background check previously mandated for gun ownership.
While supporters of the bill, including Governor Abbott, argue that it strengthens the Second Amendment and that "guns save lives," gun control advocates have raised concerns about the potential impact on gun violence. They argue that the bill ignores the wishes of the majority of Texans, as indicated by a poll by FOX 7 Austin, in which 51% voted against constitutional carry.
Gun control advocates, including Ed Espinoza from Progress Texas, worry that the bill undermines efforts to reduce gun violence. They argue that easing access to guns without proper regulations and training will lead to an increase in gun-related crimes and accidents, especially among children. This concern is supported by research suggesting that laws aimed at preventing children from accessing guns could reduce firearm-related self-harm and unintentional injuries and deaths.
Organizations like Texas Gun Sense (TGS) and One Aim Illinois actively work to prevent gun violence through advocacy, education, and community-based initiatives. TGS focuses on extreme risk protection orders, raising the minimum purchasing age, and mandating background checks. One Aim Illinois, a grassroots coalition, aims to reduce violence by collaborating with community partners in intervention, criminal justice reform, and social service agencies.
The debate surrounding the "constitutional carry" bill highlights the ongoing tension between Second Amendment rights and public safety concerns in Texas and across the United States. Gun control advocates continue to emphasize the need for comprehensive gun control measures to address the issue of gun violence.
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Frequently asked questions
Governor Greg Abbott signed the constitutional carry bill on June 16, 2021.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as House Bill 1927, allows Texans over the age of 21 to carry handguns in public without a license.
The bill was praised by gun rights advocates but criticized by those concerned about rising gun violence. Some also criticized Governor Abbott for signing the bill following recent mass shootings in the state.
