The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill that would allow people to carry handguns without a permit. The House passed the bill just before midnight Sunday night, 82-62.
The passage followed negotiations with the Texas Senate on differences between the two measures.
The compromise measure passed by the House includes provisions added to the Senate measure. The compromise bill includes tougher punishments for a felon caught carrying a gun and a requirement that the Department of Public Safety offer a free online gun-safety course. The bill passed by the House also eliminated a provision that would have prevented police from questioning someone solely because they are carrying a gun.
"The bottom line, members, is we fought to keep the bill closer to the House bill," said Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler), who wrote the House bill. "Ultimately, we came out with a bill that is strong."
Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) was among Democrats voting against the measure. He said Texas should not be loosening gun laws in the first legislative session following mass shootings in El Paso and Midland.
"What a slap in the face this is to all those people who have asked us, pleaded and begged that we finally do something about the epidemic of gun violence," he said.
Law enforcement agencies and religious groups have urged lawmakers to reject the bill.
"Gun owners have a duty to ensure that their guns are handled safely and a duty to know applicable laws," Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said in a news conference outside the Texas Capitol in April. "The licensing process is the best way to ensure this message is conveyed."
The Texas Senate must still approve the compromise. Governor Greg Abbott has said he would sign the bill.
