Texas is set to become the largest State to allow the open carrying of handguns without a permit.
On Friday Governor Abbott tweeted encouragement to the State Legislature to get House Bill 1927 (HB1927) to his desk to be signed into law. Early Sunday morning the Texas House adopted the Conference Committee Report for HB1927 by the vote of 82-to-62 and on Monday the Senate made it official 17-to13.
The Bill’s Sponsor, State Senator Charles Schwertner called it a simple rights restoration bill. “A right that was stripped away in 1871, a right already afforded to owners of long guns, a right to fulfill our Constitutional Right to keep and bear arms,” said Schwertner as he presented the Conference Committee Report on HB1927.
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Senate Democrats argued that more guns on the streets would not make Texans or law enforcement safer. State Senator Jose Menendez made the case that criminals can now openly carry without the fear of being questioned by police. “Anybody could carry as long as they don’t do anything to create the suspicion, because no one would be the wiser,” said Menendez while questioning Schwertner.
HB1927 was forced into a conference committee after the State Senate rejected the amendments added to the bill by the Texas House. The ten member committee comprised of five Senators and five Representatives were able to hash out an agreement on HB1927 by Friday afternoon. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick released the following statement:
“I congratulate Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, and Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, for reaching a full agreement on Constitutional Carry – HB 1927. This legislation restores our Second Amendment rights and upholds every Texan’s right to self-defense. HB 1927 is a historic bill and a national model. It includes the thinking of national gun rights advocates and many in Texas law enforcement and affirms our commitment to protect the rights of gun owners and the safety of those in law enforcement.”
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