Texas Governor Greg Abbott quietly signed HB 1927 into law Wednesday, allowing all eligible Texas gun owners to carry handguns without a license.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs permitless gun carry bill into law
Abbott’s signature comes nearly three weeks after the Texas Legislature passed the “constitutional carry” permitless carry bill on May 27.
The state House passed the final measure on an 82-62 vote and the Senate approved it the same day on a 17-13 vote.
The bill will allow eligible Texas residents, who are 21 years of age or older and not excessively prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm, to carry a firearm, whether open or concealed, without a permit or training.
Current state law required qualifying residents to submit fingerprints, complete four to six hours of training, pass a written exam and a shooting proficiency test before obtaining a gun license.
Residents will continue to be prohibited from carrying firearms while intoxicated and in schools, polling stations, bars, hospitals and nursing homes, sporting events, courthouses and in some areas of airports.
Abbott had said he would sign the bill if it passed, but it is unclear why he has waited nearly three weeks to do so.
However, the bill was one of more than 100 bills Abbott signed Wednesday.
“This is something that 20 other states have adopted and it’s time for Texas to adopt it as well,” Abbott added at the time.
