The Texas House Has Just Approved a Constitutional Carry Bill

Remember last week when I asked the question about Texas passing a Constitutional Carry law?

Well, yesterday the Texas House of Representatives asked that question, and they also answered it when they voted to approve a bill that would allow handguns to be carried without a permit.

The Texas Tribune reports that HB 1927 was passed by an 84 to 56 vote after several hours of debate on the topic from both sides of the aisle. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it must be approved before being signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.

According to the Tribune, Texas would join 18 other states with permit-free carry if the legislation made it into law.

KTVT-TV reports that background checks would still be required for gun purchases, and there would still be areas in which people won't be able to carry their firearms, such as schools and hospitals.

Earlier this year, Governor Greg Abbott expressed support for Texas House Bill 112 and Texas Senate Bill 541 - so-called "Second Amendment Sanctuary State" bills that call for withholding money from state-funded entities in Texas that try to enforce any federal gun restrictions passed after January of 2021.

Abbott's enthusiasm for such legislation seemed to be sparked by the efforts of Texas Democratic Representative Sheila Jackson Lee's efforts to pass a federal bill banning anyone under 21 from purchasing a firearm and to enact other gun and ammo purchasing restrictions.

While I am all for American citizens having the right to bear arms, I don't know how to feel about this.

Imagine someone with no experience or training in how to handle a firearm or how to carry it responsibly toting a handgun around in public!