Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into a law a slew of firearms-related bills, including one that allows Texans to carry a gun without a license.
The seven pieces of legislation are intended to protect Second Amendment rights, Abbott says.
“Politicians from the fed. level to the local level have threatened to take guns from law-abiding citizens,” Abbott wrote in a June 17 Twitter post. “Not in TEXAS!”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
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The permit-less carry law, which is the most notable of the bills, is only applicable to those 21 years or older who are not prohibited from possessing a gun under state or federal law. Individuals prohibited from carrying include felons and family violence offenders.
“Welcome to TEXAS — a state that safeguards the 2nd Amendment,” Abbott wrote in a June 18 Twitter post.
In addition to constitutional carry, other bills will designate Texas as a Second Amendment sanctuary state, enable hotel guests to store firearms in their rooms, allow Texans to carry firearms in whatever holster they want, and repeals the criminal offense associated with the possession, manufacturing, transportation or repairment of a firearm silencer. Legislation will also prohibit government entities from contracting with businesses that discriminate against firearm organizations and prevent entities from prohibiting the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster or emergency.
“The seven laws I signed yesterday protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and ensure that Texas remains a bastion of freedom,” Abbott tweeted.
Conservatives are pleased, according to The Texas Tribune.
Permit-less carry has been a longtime struggle. Despite the majority of Republicans approving the measure, a University of Texas poll shows that the majority of Texans do not support permit-less carry.