Texas Senate Approves Bill Allowing Residents To Carry Handguns Without Permit
On Wednesday night (May 5), the Texas Senate approved a bill allowing residents to carry handguns in the state without a permit and other requirements under the current law. So, anyone over 21 can carry without a permit so long as they don’t have any prior violent convictions. Currently, the state allows permitless carry for rifles.
The GOP-backed legislation, known as HB 1927, passed 18-13 and is now headed to the Texas House, which approved an earlier version last month. Before the bill gets to GOP Gov. Greg Abbott for final approval, Texas’ chambers must negotiate the differences.
RELATED: Texas Man Uses BMW Dealership Loaner To Rob Bank So He Can Buy His Own
Additionally, it’s reported that Gov. Abbott has already stated that he will sign the bill as soon as he receives it. He mentioned, “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. I support it and I believe it should reach my desk and we should have ‘constitutional carry’ in Texas. This is something that 20 other states have adopted and it’s time for Texas to adopt it, too.”
RELATED: New York Gun Control: ‘Red Flag Law’ Now In Effect, Other States To Follow