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Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill That Allows Residents To Carry Handguns Without Permits

Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that allows residents to carry handguns without possessing permits.
Credit: Pexels & @drschwertner/Twitter

Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that allows residents to carry handguns without possessing a permit. 

Gun owners across the state have been backing the move as it makes owning and carrying a weapon much more accessible. 

Senator Charles Schwertner is one of many Texans in favour of the bill and has called it ‘a simple restoration of Texans’ constitutional right’. 

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Texas lawmakers have passed a bill that would mean residents can carry handguns without possessing a permit. Credit: Pexel

He told Texas Tribune: “This is a simple restoration of Texans’ constitutional right under the Second Amendment, a right of the people to keep and bear arms.

“I think it is a bill that is the strongest bill I’ve seen in my legislative career regarding the rights of our Second Amendment.”

If the bill is signed by Governor Gregg Abbott, residents will be allowed to carry handguns without training, a background check, or a license. 

It’s been legal to carry handguns in Texas since 1995.

Currently, the law states that gun owners need to make sure their handguns are both concealed and open. 

Applicants also need to complete at least four to six hours of training, submit their fingerprints, pass a written exam and pass a shooting proficiency test. 

Despite many residents keen for the bill to be officially made law, gun control advocates have expressed their concern and pointed out how the state has suffered many mass shootings within the past few years. 

Democrat Joe Moody recently spoke out against it, saying:  “All [El Paso community members] wanted was something better.

“All they wanted was some accountability. Yet here we are. 

“When the doors were closed, I heard lots of promises. I haven’t heard them since.”

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Written by Aimee Walker

Aimee is a senior content editor at IGV who specialises in finding the best original stories, trending topics and entertainment news. She graduated from Birmingham City University with a degree in Media and Communications.