Permitless Gun Carry Law Goes Into Effect in Texas

A new pro-gun law went into effect in Texas yesterday. The law allows most Texans 21 and older who legally own a firearm to carry it openly in public without a permit or training. House Bill 1927 was passed this year by state lawmakers in the House of Representatives with a vote of 82-62 and was signed in June by Governor Greg Abbott. With the bill, Texas joined a handful of other states that passed measures this year allowing some form of permitless carry and expanded gun rights at the state level. The bill excludes people who are prohibited from legally owning a firearm such as those convicted of a felony, assault, domestic violence or terroristic threats.

Before the law went into effect yesterday, Texans could carry handguns only with a license and were required to complete training as well as pass a written exam and proficiency test. The number of shootings in the state increased 14% this year with roughly 3,200 shootings compared to the same period in 2020 when there were roughly 2,800 shootings. Gun violence incidents this year are also up 50% over the same period in 2019 which saw 2,100 shootings in the state.