The state’s legislature passed a bill that repeals requirements for carrying a handgun.
What We Know:
- The bill ultimately passed the Texas Senate on Wednesday. Although some Republicans expressed hesitancy over the bill, it passed with an 18-13 vote. Governor Gregg Abbott has said he supports the law and will pass it as soon as it hits his desk.
- The current law requires fingerprints, four hours of training, and the passing of a written exam to purchase a handgun. The recipient must also go through a shooting proficiency test before they can carry a handgun. Despite this, the state does not require any license to carry a rifle.+
- A poll conducted by the University of Texas says that 59% of Texans oppose the policy. As far as Democrats, the poll has found that 85% oppose it. The poll also found that 56% of Republicans support it. A Republican state senator has said the bill is “a restoration of the belief in trust of our citizens.” Democratic Senator Beverly Powell expressed safety concerns and some law enforcement groups and license-to-carry instructors who oppose the bill. Powell expressed that such a bill would lead to problems for local law enforcement.
- Texas has experienced two mass shootings in August 2019 and May 2018. The first shooting left a total of 20 people dead. The second shooting was at a high school and saw 10 people dead. Another shooting in November 2017 at a church left 27 people dead.
A fistful of other states are looking to allow permit-less carry, includes South Carolina and Florida.
