Texas Finally Wins Constitutional Carry

More than two weeks after final passage of Constitutional Carry legislation by the Texas legislature, Lone Star State Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1923 into law on June 17 at a signing ceremony inside the Alamo. The new permitless carry law will take effect on Sept. 21.

With the Texas law’s passage, 21 states now recognize the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense without jumping through administrative hoops and paying a fee to do so. Abbott also signed six other pro-gun measures at the same

"Politicians from the federal level to the local level have threatened to take guns from law-abiding citizens—but we will not let that happen in Texas," Gov. Abbott said in a prepared release. "Texas will always be the leader in defending the Second Amendment, which is why we built a barrier around gun rights this session. These seven laws will protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and ensure that Texas remains a bastion of freedom. Thank you to the Texas Legislature for getting these bills to my desk."

Pro-gun lawmakers, gun owners and the National Rifle Association have been working for years to get a permitless carry law passed in Texas, but to no avail until this spring. Many are celebrating now that the mission has finally been accomplished.

“In this historic place--the Alamo--one of our nation’s earliest battles for freedom was fought. And today, another has been won, as Texas becomes the 21st state to allow law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm,” said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, who was in attendance at the Alamo for the signing ceremony. “The United States Constitution sets forth this fundamental right to freedom, and it is an honor to be here as Gov. Abbott signs into law a new bill furthering these rights for all Texans. In an increasingly dangerous world, Texans—and all Americans—deserve the right to protect themselves, their loved ones and their fellow citizens.”

Other pro-gun legislation signed by Abbott at the Alamo ceremony included measures that prohibit any governmental entity from contracting with any business that discriminates against firearm and ammunition businesses or organizations, allow guests to store firearms in their hotel rooms, remove the shoulder or belt holster requirements allowing Texans to carry firearms in whatever kind of holster they choose, repeal the criminal offense of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, or repairing a firearm silencer, prevents any government entity from prohibiting the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster or emergency, and make Texas a Second Amendment sanctuary state, ostensibly protecting citizens from new federal gun control laws.

States that now no longer require law-abiding gun owners to acquire a license to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Freelance writer and editor Mark Chesnut is the owner/editorial director at Red Setter Communications LLC. An avid hunter, shooter and political observer, he has been covering Second Amendment issues and politics on a near-daily basis for the past 20 years.