Dangerous Bill Authorizing Permitless Carry Headed to Governor’s Desk in Texas
Washington, DC — Despite the continued surge in gun violence across the United States, lawmakers in Texas are moving ahead with a bill to authorize permitless carry. The legislation they passed, HB 1927, would allow people without any training or background check to carry concealed loaded handguns in public places. The bill now heads to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signing. Giffords, the gun violence prevention group led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, denounced the dangerous policy.
“Tragically, Texas communities will likely experience the harmful effects of gun violence even more so with the signing of this reckless bill,” said Peter Ambler, Executive Director. “Instead of passing effective laws, like strengthened background checks, Governor Abbott has eliminated protections that help prevent people who can’t pass a background check from being able to carry hidden loaded weapons in public spaces. Texas families deserve a future without gun violence. Governor Abbott has rejected the will of Texans and chosen the special interests of the gun lobby over families and communities.”
HB 1927 will allow citizens to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public without passing a background check or receiving any training whatsoever, and significantly weaken other protections and safeguards that are currently in place. The bill would also allow more people with demonstrated histories of violence to carry hidden loaded guns outside the home, including people convicted of certain violent hate crimes, and domestic violence offenses. The Texas House and Senate advanced HB 1927 despite strong law enforcement opposition to the bill. The Texas chapter of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety also sent a letter to lawmakers ahead of the vote to voice their opposition to the legislation.
According to Giffords Law Center’s Annual Gun Law Scorecard, Texas received an F due to its extremely weak gun laws. The state’s existing gun laws are filled with gaps and loopholes that endanger community safety and make the state a leading source of guns trafficked to other states and nations across its borders. Nonetheless, existing state law at least requires people to pass a background check and complete a basic safety training course to be licensed to carry loaded concealed handguns in public places. HB 1927 would do away with these basic protections.
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