The Lone Star State is just two steps away from becoming the 21st state to allow residents to carry a firearm without a permit or training—otherwise known as “constitutional carry.”
The state Senate passed House Bill 1927 this week on an 18-13 party-line vote. The House passed the bill 84-56 in April, but the Senate amended the legislation before passing it in that chamber. The House will have to take another vote before Gov. Greg Abbott can sign it, which he has promised to do.
The bill would allow any Texas resident over the age of 21 to carry a firearm in a holster, concealed or unconcealed, without a permit.
The Senate amended the House version of the legislation to accommodate some Republicans who were initially uncomfortable with the idea, according to the Austin-American Statesman.
One of the amendments would create stricter penalties for firearms carried by felons and those convicted of family violence offenses. The Senate also voted to remove language that banned law enforcement from questioning somebody based solely on their possession of a handgun.
All 18 Republican Senators voted to pass the legislation.
If the bill survives, Texas will become the 21st state to pass some form of constitutional carry, according to Dr. John Lott of the Crime Prevention Research Center. Five additional states are also considering constitutional carry legislation this year.
SEE ALSO: Critics on Tennessee’s Constitutional Carry Law: About to Turn Memphis into ‘OK Corral’
Texas Senate approves #ConstitutionalCarry bill, moving to be the 21st state. 5 other states also considering, including Nebraska and Alabama.
— John R Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) May 6, 2021
Senate voted 18-13, but with amendments so that it has to go back to the state House.https://t.co/oA9bVOrQau#2A #Texas #GunControlNow pic.twitter.com/RDPnVq2PkR
Despite passing by solid majorities in both chambers, Texas’ bill isn’t out of the woods yet. Republican congressman Matt Schaefer, the bill’s author in the House, said he was “very concerned” about some of the Senate’s amendments.
No celebration yet folks! We are now reviewing amendments that were added by the Senate to look for issues that would break House rules governing the purpose of HB 1927. Our first impression has us very concerned. Will share more as soon as we can. #txlege #2A #HB1927 https://t.co/K0OKBeEzMl
— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) May 6, 2021
SEE ALSO: Montana Passes Constitutional Carry!
This isn’t the first time the pro-gun lobby in Texas has tried to pass constitutional carry. A similar effort stalled in 2019 after key lawmakers killed the bill in retaliation for the actions of activist Chris McNutt, who showed up at legislators’ homes to lobby for the policy.
One of those legislators, former Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, resigned as speaker after a secret recording scandal damaged his political career. The other, Democratic Rep. Poncho Nevárez, resigned and turned himself in to authorities after he was caught on tape dropping an envelope with cocaine.
I cannot believe the many people on this website that do not believe in the 2nd Amendment. Do I believe in firearm training? Absolutely. I have had over 90 hours of professional firearm training and I plan to get more in the future.
Do I believe you need a “permit” to carry a handgun concealed? No. Do I believe in mandatory firearm training similar to required training needed for a driver’s license. No. That is the responsibility of the person owning firearms to get training. Liberty will always have some hazards.
This being said, you are a fool if you get a gun and do not get any training. It could result in your injury or death or someone else’s.
It appears Texas gun owners were betrayed by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick when he allowed passage of an amendment with language that violates the House rules and will require rewording by the Senate. With only three weeks left in the session, HB1927 could very well die in procedure.
It’s a political ploy to kill a bill while appearing to vote for it. We may need to change out a few Senators and a Lt. Governor.
crimials are getting much worse now. Being able to defend ur self is the most important thing we can do.
And the US Constitution. says so u commie diks.
If it only applies to residents 21 and older it’s not true “constitutional carry” Also allowing law enforcement to question for simply exercising a right? It’s a good start I guess.
No. I have not received the 2004 yamaha rhino 660 back window.
Driving a car is not a constitutional protected right. However, it is the obligation for every gun owner to know the laws and be proficient with their firearm!
Absolutely agree that requiring no training at all is a recipe for disaster. I have seen some scary Sh*t at concealed carry classes from attendees who had never fired the firearm they brought with them to the class, or any firearm at all for that matter. How about the lady who couldn’t load the j-frame revolver she brought with her, The man who dropped his pistol as the first shot fired frightened him, or the Rambo wanna-be who missed the silhouette target 3 shots out of 5 at 3 yards.
It’s bad enough the Texas LTC classes have been shortened so much that responsibility under the law is just skimmed over. I DO NOT SUPPORT constitutional carry. I do support free training and licensing for anyone who wants it, and is not a convicted felon.
So would you support government mandated training before attending church? or reading a newspaper? You’re just a self righteous egotistical twit! It has NOT been a problem in any of the 20 other states, but then again we are talking about Texans.
Proof of military service or prior LEO is a no-brainer, all else need the class.
Yeah its such a disaster in the 20 other states that already have it….(sarcasm)
Free training?? Who is going to pay for that?
TANSTAAFL
Free training huh. Go pedal your commy bullshit somewhere else.
I am a firm believer in proper training for all firearms you intend to own and carry. I can’t tell you how many people I have seen a ranges that have no business owning a handgun, it is just a matter of time before they hurt themselves or someone else. That being said I believe in constitutional carry as long as some metric is established for competency. When you get a driver license there is some period of probation. It make even better sense with handguns.
Driving a car is not a constitutional protected right. However, it is the obligation for every gun owner to know the laws and be proficient with their firearm!
If there is a metric established for competency, it is no longer Constitutional carry. 😉
I do like your idea, about probationary period and required proof of competency to own a handgun. Those are common sense requirements that have historically enjoyed bipartisan support by large majorities in national polls.
So now we want to legislate common sense?
I often find common sense to be neither.
Constitutional Carry is a “tough” one. Yes, the 2nd amendment should always exist in the United States.
Always !!!! Open carry has so many ramifications. What if a person has never fired a weapon? Never has
learned all the safety precautions? Should that person be allowed to carry a gun? That’s a ” tough ” one.
If you can guarantee that every person is a law abiding citizen and has had training in handling and firing a
weapon , then absolutely, Constitutional Carry is acceptable. The big word there of course is ” IF “.
Adversely, a person who has never fired or handled a weapon should not be able to carry openly.
I trust all who have but again….it ia big “IF”.
Guarantee every person is a law abiding citizen yet you don’t realize the things that are legislators get away with that are not law-abiding?
Dear Texas Legislators,
What Part of the 2nd Amendment do you not understand?
Texas Proud, Texas Strong!
YOU SEEE! This is the GD Problem RIGHT HERE!
We DON’T NEED NO F-ING laws to have the GD Government’s Permission “to Keep” (Have, own, possess) or “bear” (carry, have, possess) ANY FIREARM… ANYTIME… ANY PLACE… PERIOD!
Politicians, unless under duress, WILL NEVER HEED the EXACT prescription of the 2nd Amendment.. The RIGHT to KEEP and BEAR ARMS… SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED…
WHAT other F-ING WORDS need to BE said…!
WTFU PEOPLE!
Spot On!!!
Good luck Texas from Missouri!
The Texas legislature is the easiest place in the world to snatch defeat from the jaws of certain victory. Legislation that seems certain to pass can be intentionally or unintentionally sabotaged in any number of ways. Because they only meet for 140 days every other year, the Texas legislature is a mad house while it is in session and a lot of bills get lost in the shuffle. As much as I dislike the players, I must respect the game – it’s not all that bad of a way to get a Congress to focus on the important matters of government.