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Texas Senate Approves Constitutional Carry
The Texas Senate voted to advance a bill that allows constitutional carry for handguns. Currently, Texas only allows the constitutional carry for long guns.
This new bill, HB 1927, closes the gap that lets Texans carry their firearms in public without the need for a permit. It also sets Texas as potentially the largest state in the US to allow permitless carry.
HB 1927 passed by an 18-13 vote along party lines Wednesday. It now heads back to the Texas House, which passed a similar bill earlier this year.
However, since the House version is different from the Senate-approved version, the House will need to approve the latter. Only then can the bill reach the desk of Governor Greg Abbott, who can sign it into law.
RELATED: Thank God For Texas: House Passes ‘Constitutional Carry’ Bill to Carry a Gun without a License
State Senator Charles Schwertner Hails Passage
The Senate’s approval of HB 1927 marks a victory for gun rights activists and second amendment supporters. Previously, Republican attempts to pass the legislation on constitutional carry often end up nowhere in the Senate sessions.
State Senator Charles Schwertner (R), who sponsored the bill, hailed the victory. “HB 1927 would recognize the United States Constitution as our permit to carry and allow all law-abiding adults, aged 21 years or older, to carry a handgun for the protection of themselves or their families, in public places, in a holster, without the requirement of a state-issued license,” he declared.
“We cannot allow another session to come and go where we pay lip service to the Second Amendment while failing to fully restore and protect the God-given rights to our citizens,” Schwertner said. In addition, he said that this “represents one of the most significant efforts to secure the rights of gun owners that I've seen in more than 10 years serving in the Texas legislature.”
Restrictions On Gun Ownership Still Applies
Schwertner also clarified that nothing will change with regard to gun ownership. “People who are prohibited from possessing a handgun will still be prohibited from possessing a handgun under this bill. Nothing in this bill regarding possession is changed,” he said.
Fellow Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick hailed the passage as well. He said the bill is evidence of Texas’s strong support of the Second Amendment.
It would allow people 21 and older who can already legally own a gun to carry a handgun in public without the license, safety course and background check current law requires.
“I am proud that the Texas Senate passed House Bill 1927 today, the Constitutional Carry bill, which affirms every Texan's right to self-defense and our state’s strong support for our Second Amendment right to bear arms. In the Lone Star State, the Constitution is our permit to carry,” he said in a statement.
“We have moved quickly on this legislation and I want to thank all those involved who helped gather the votes needed to pass this historic bill.”
Democrats Decried Passage of HB 1927
Meanwhile, Texas Democrats decried the bill’s passage, saying the bill potentially puts Texans’ safety at risk. The Texas Democratic Party issued a statement to that effect.
“Today, by allowing dangerous permitless carry legislation to move forward, disgraced Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is setting Texans up to lose more loved ones to gun violence,” the statement read. “Texas Republicans continue to be a major threat to public safety, this time attempting to remove all requirements for people to carry a handgun in public,” it added.
In addition, the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus also criticized HB 1927. “Republicans in the Texas Senate have prioritized more unregulated guns at the expense of public safety. Texas Senate Republicans are making it easier for dangerous individuals to carry a gun nearly everywhere they go,” the group remarked.
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Loading ...Do you support the constitutional carry of firearms? Who or why not do you think this is a good idea.
Let us know what you think about HB 1927 or of the Second Amendment in general. Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
33 Comments
The “Right to Carry” is on level with the right to not only hold a job, be a parent, but it’s also as essential as the Right to Breathe.
It is about time Texas passed constitutional carry legislation!
It is the guarantee of all our other rights.
TAKE BACK AMERICA
only one thing to say Thank GOD we have the 2nd amendment The left need to get a new life some other place on earth just find a new place to live you are tearing this GREAT country apart !!!!!
I support this 100% and would feel even more safe walking the streets of Texas – only wish more states had the wisdom behind this decision instead of basing life decisions on the fear of death.
Hope more states follow this bill
Texas is taking the first of many steps to take back the freedoms that has slipped away due to complacency and go along to get along.
Good Job State Representatives. Now HOLD THE LINE and PUSH FORWARD take back all we have lost to the socialists that thought they were turning TEXAS Blue. As it says on our roadside: DONT MESS WITH TEXAS
Hope NJ follows but doubt it. NJ is a Democrap state. Congrats Texas. “God Bless Texas”
If you want to have a weapon, for protection or target practice, that is fine. If the purpose of owning a weapon is to show other people the * Don’t thread on me*, that send another message. If you want to own a weapon, get a license, take lessons on how to safely use it. Be prudent. Good Luck.
I have a license but I have no weapon. Former military, took courses but you have to know yourself.
We support 2nd Amendment Rights as do many of our friends, family and colleagues. We believe taking the License to Carry class is a matter of responsibility and respect for our families, law enforcement and public safety. We want to be assured as much as possible that someone sitting across from us in a restaurant with a gun is trained, educated in gun safety and the law and not prohibited to carry. This legislation is irresponsible. It emboldens those prohibited. Other states like Vermont that have constitutional carry require a background check for private gun sales. Texas does not. We are conservative gun right advocates that believe in the rresponsibility for public safety The class is not an infringement. It is a responsibility.
Gladys Perez
You are deluded to think that government is responsible and benign. Those that would be mandating the licensure and training would be making the process arbitrary and expensive, with “approval” based on the ruling of faceless bureaucrats whose motives are to please their masters, not obey the strictures of the Constitution. There are countless instances of people who have been injured or murdered while waiting for approval to own a means of self defense, even when protection orders have been issued.
The “reasonable” fees that would be charged for these services would be an effective bar to those who would most benefit by having the means to defend themselves. I have paid for training that should have been provided in HS. I did have some Army experience, but this is ignored by the “powers that be” and upon the renewal of my concealed carry license I had to pay for another course and pay for the background check to receive a renewed license.
Most do not have the ability to take days off to perform these requirements, even if they do have the money.
Democrats continue we to use “safety” as the reason for not wanting law-abiding individuals to exercise Constitutional guarantees.
The proof of their ignorance and desire to rule like kings and princes is the millions of firearm owners and tge relative few offenders. And the argument that if one life is saved by so-called gun control, the same argument can be made that if even one life is saved by being armed, them let freedom ring!! The people should be suspicious of a government that would desire to take away their capabity and right, to defend themselves.
JIMMY & STEPHANIE
That person sitting across from you in any situation may well be a felon who is prohibited from owning a gun, but the stricture of law little concerns those who routinely ignore laws.
You might study the various SC rulings about the responsibility of law enforcement to “keep you safe”, and then compile the articles of those murderers who “fell through the cracks” in the system purportedly designed to keep the criminals and insane from acquiring weapons.
A background check is merely a procedure to identify those who have guns, to better facilitate the seizure of those guns when government decides to take them, for our own good.
The second amendment says it all though I believe it is wise to take a safety and training course. The only problems with that is the cost and time that it now takes as mentioned.earlier and the fact that it puts your name on a list with other gun owners to make it easier for the feds when they decide to take away everyone’s guns.
Do you doubt GOVERNMENT is corrupt? We’re on our own. Rather than gun license, how about voluntary reserve deputy status? Civilian ride alongs? Being proactive in your community? Responsible. Cops are the thin blue line between rule of law & chaos. Supporting your local police is helping yourself.
Thank God, a state and politicians that respects and honors the constitution. I wish Ca had that. We just have corrupt, constitution trampling politicians violating our rights. They say it’s for our safety, our childrens safety, as he allows convicted criminals with gun charges out of prison. Hell, Gascon doesn’t even send attoeneys to murder hearings so they’re automatically released. Maybe if someone in their family is murdered it would be different.
Good on Texas. I live in West Virginia. Constitutional carry has been here nearly five years. The anti gunners claims of the wild west shoot outs and more criminals being armed is just smoke and mirrors. Criminals always have and always will arm themselves. The carry bill gives the citizen the ability to defend themselves and their loved ones.
There was a time when the “elite” in power considered themselves above all others. They considered everyone else mere peasants. They lorded over the people and placed heavy burdens and taxes upon them. That was England…
America however, was a grand experiment in self-governance and freedom, and was an effort to remove that arrogant element from our newly-formed government. Albeit, that same attitude has once again crept in while, we were SLEEPING.
The “Right to Carry” is a provision in our constitution that AFFIRMS the right of the people to protect themselves from Tyranny and from all others who would seek to do them harm. This, then, is a GOD-Given right.
Therefore, Texas is moving in the right direction, taking the steps necessary to regain freedoms that have slipped away while we were ASLEEP!
Consider the following argument, if one life is saved by “gun control”, we must also consider that very same argument, when flipped – “if one life is saved by being armed” is also true!!
Do you doubt GOVERNMENT can be corrupt? Consider Hitler and many other rogue nation states – 1. Registration 2. Confiscation 3. Annihilation
“We the People” should be suspicious of a government that would seek to place our names on any form of firearms REGISRTRY.
“We the People” should be suspicious of a government that would seek to place our names on a Training Program REGISTRY.
“We the People” should be suspicious of a government that would seek to place our names on any form of Licensing REGISTRY in order to “legally” bear arms.
“We the People” should be suspicious of a government that would seek to remove our God-Given right, to Self-Defense and the arms that would provide for that effort.
While I believe it is WISE and PRUDENT to take a safety course and follow-up advanced training courses for those with Firearms, it is the responsibility of the people to make that decision for themselves. HOWEVER, our collective government(s) can take steps to provide “SAFETY” courses at LOW COST – or NO COST to facilitate that training WITHOUT creating a log or any form of REGISTRY!
It is time for Americans to WAKE up – we have been SLEEPING far too long!
What makes you think that these so called dangerous individual’s wouldn’t have access to a handgun in their close vicinity if not wearing one. If the confrontation is considered self defense or out right murder,if someway witnessed by others,the courts and jury will deside their faite and with no witnesses the police(sheriff’s)(detectives) still have to do there jobs on investigations all most sounds like going back to the olden days, only with more advanced technology just hope none gets shot for just snoring!!
The 2nd amendment and the Constitution means nothing to the corrupt Federal Government or the communist ran Biden admin so everyone giving high 5’s and celebrating this better keep their eyes on the horizon. State Rights are being trampled EVERY minute of EVERY day and if you think for one second that there is not already federal plans for strict control for anything to do with firearms you are very foolish in your thinking!!
YES I THINK IS IS A GOOD LAW WATCH CRIME GO DOWN . NUFF SAID.
People with intent to do harm where carrying before. Now we will have more good guys able to peotect there families.
But always train and be vigilante know whats beyond the threat.
Make good decisions.
I know if I got an LTC and the Beto faction ever took over, being on that list would make me an easy mark. Now, I think I will take the class so that I know all the laws and stuff, but I will not submit the paperwork for the license.
God, Guns, and Guts made America free and the greatest country in the world…..BAR NONE!!!
The contents of the Constitution apply to ALL Americans. Our Founding Fathers were by far wiser than the clowns we call congressmen & women today. I wonder if they may have seen this day coming and made early plans to stop the madness? Anyway, when they come for your guns, give them the ammo first!
Breathing is a normal function when you decide to push you away out of a police car and have to be restrained in another fashion this is what happen when you resist arrest. We will all be carrying guns real soon because we’re headed to an inevitable Civil War
The 2nd amendment, like the rest of the constitution, does not require citizens to pay fees or get approvals from government officials to exercise their constitutional rights.
“Constitutional Carry” means that anything less IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL..
Fearmonger’s fear have not taken place in the States that already have constitutional carry in place like MO.
Too bad CA won’t go back to better days like their 1970’s laws. Today they restrict the law-abiding and let the criminals run free.
Reason Vt – Me – NH & Mass. have less crime in their States. Because these States major of
family’s have guns in their homes. What criminal will enter into this home knowing
they have guns. Like a bully will only pick on someone who will not hit back.
Bravo all states should do the same. Also pass a bill so that Pelosi, Shummer, Shift, and Nadler can’t have private security paid for by the people.
Thank you, I’m a TEXAN born here live here so if you don’t like what we are doing to protect our families then pack up and move out of our state we don’t need you here go back where you came from real TEXANS are Republicans not some snow flake. And again thank you real TEXAN senators. God Bless Texas
The only problem i see with it is you can draft a person to go to war at 18 but you want to limit this to people 21 and older.
A gun does not make you a man! It’s a tool a nothing else OUR NASHION IS IN A VERRY DARK PLACE AND I AM GOING TO LOVE GOD MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST AND MY SELF AND LOVE ONES AND MY NASHION AND MY NABORS AS US CITIZENS WE MUST PROTECT ONE ANOTHER AND OUR SELFS BE SURE BEFORE YOU TAKE OUT YOUR GUN BECAUSE YOU MAY BE KILLING YOUR SELF WITH JUST ONE BAD DECISION SO FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS BE RIGHT