Texas is on the brink of becoming the largest U.S state to legalize citizens to carry handguns openly. Gun-rights activists have been seeking this for a long time now.
The Texas House of Representatives have voted 96-35 on Friday, permitting residents with licenses to concealed handguns to be carried openly in public in holsters. Just last month, a similar measure had been passed in the Texas Senate and now the 2 open-carry bill has to be squared before sending it off to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is also in favor of it.
Texas is falls under the six states which California, Florida and New York which currently bars citizens from openly carrying handguns. Citizens wanting to carry handguns in public must obtain concealed-weapons permits and keep the weapons concealed as well.
Currently Texas does allow long guns to be carried publicly by citizens, although that has prompted gun-rights groups to openly carry rifles into stores and restaurants and along the sidewalks to draw attention to what they consider as a pointless legal distinction.
The pushing of the gun enthusiasts who are an influential constituency with the Texas Republican Party has facilitated this legislation to progress through the GOP-controlled Legislature this year following several years of delayed efforts.
The groups are also asking for legislation to facilitate students as well as university employees to carry concealed handguns on college grounds. Last month, the Texas Senate has approved a campus-carry measure, as it has been named. A companion measure is also expected to pass by the Texas House, the idea which is supported by Abbott.
This would be making Texas one of the eight states with laws which permit concealed guns on college grounds as well as the largest state to do so.
Terry Holcomb Sr., executive director of Texas Carry, a gun-rights group said, “We are seeing historic progress in Texas.”
6 Comments
That makes Texas the least attractive tourism destination in the US.
To you, not to me.
Hardly… While I don’t carry, I would go to Houston or Dallas without any hesitation before cities such as Detroit or Chicago. This simply for the fact I feel safer there with my family than the others. What instills this feeling of safety? The fact there are people carrying. Do I have statistics etc… No. Do I have instinct and a personal choice? Yep!
texas is a hateful place with lax gun and strong stand your ground laws. i won’t be visiting there anymore either if this passes. texas won’t care as there are plenty of haters out there who love this sort of thing, right Nazi guy WaffenSS?
So, Lily, lawful ownership of a firearm makes one a hater? And a Nazi? I suggest you take a look in the mirror.
Lily, and the rest of you gun haters, every time you make comments like you did, you only show your ignorance on the subject.
In EVERY state where C/C has been made law, crime rates have dropped considerably. Also, felons can’t get a permit, and I’ve yet to hear a story where someone sits through 16 hours of a C/C class to obtain a permit, simply so they can go on a rampage.
And, please tell me what gives you the opinion that Texas is a ‘hateful’ place? I’ve lived in TX my whole life; in Houston, San Antonio, San Marcos, Kemah, League City, & now Lubbock. And, in my travels around the country I’ve yet to meet more sincere, genuine, & friendly people when compared to the folks all over TX.