In a move that makes the anti-gunners feel the big sad, Texas has several laws going into effect today that include permitless carry for Texans. If it is your gun, you are of age, and you legal to possess the gun you may carry the gun.
The entire list is below and includes a number of changes on a bunch of specific topics, from blocking restricting movement of guns during a pandemic to making certain schools develop and conduct active shooter drills. The list is a substantial Pro-2A statement from the Lone Star State and stymies the efforts of some of the cities who had been quietly trying to push anti-gun policies for their jurisdictions.
Among the list, 2A Sanctuary STATE. Something that is much rarer than individual counties passing ordinances. Only five states have made this decision and those states stand the best chance of being able to mount an effective legal challenge should federal and state collide.
- House Bill 1927: Known as permitless or constitutional carry, it allows Texans to carry handguns in public without a license and the background check and training that a license requires.
- House Bill 2622: Known as the “Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act,” it prohibits state agencies and local governments from enforcing new federal gun rules.
- House Bill 1500: Prevents government entities from banning the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster or emergency.
- House Bill 957: Exempts firearm suppressors that are made and remain in Texas from federal laws and regulations.
- House Bill 1407: Allows license holders to carry visible, holstered handguns anywhere in a motor vehicle, rather than having to wear the handgun in a shoulder or belt holster
- House Bill 1387: Allows certain foster homes to store guns and ammunition together in the same locked location, rather than requiring the items to be stored separately.
- House Bill 1069: Allows certain first responders to carry handguns.
- House Bill 2112: Removes the requirement that handguns must be carried in a “shoulder or belt” holster, expanding what kinds of holsters are legal.
- House Bill 103: Creates a statewide active shooter alert system.
- House Bill 4346: Prohibits certain firearm restrictions on a property during the use of an easement.
- House Bill 29: Allows state-owned public buildings to provide self-service weapon lockers.
- House Bill 1920: Expands and clarifies what constitutes a secured area of an airport in relation to possessing a firearm.
- House Bill 2675: Requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to expedite the handgun license process for individuals “who are at increased risk of becoming victims of violence.”
- House Bill 918: Makes young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 eligible for a license to carry a handgun if they are protected under certain court orders related to family violence.
- House Bill 781: Allows junior college school marshals to carry concealed handguns rather than storing them.
- Senate Bill 741: Allows school marshals in public school districts, open-enrollment charters, and private schools to carry concealed handguns rather than storing them.
- Senate Bill 20: Allows hotel guests to carry and store firearms and ammunition in their rooms.
- Senate Bill 19: Prohibits government entities from contracting with businesses that “discriminate against the firearm or ammunition industries.”
- Senate Bill 162: Known as the “lie and try” bill, makes it a state crime to lie on a background check in order to illegally purchase a firearm.
- Senate Bill 550: Removes the requirement that handguns must be carried in a “shoulder or belt” holster, expanding what kinds of holsters are legal.
- Senate Bill 313: Creates a sales and use tax exemption for firearm safety equipment.
- Senate Bill 168: Requires schools to use best practices when conducting active shooter drills, so they’re less harmful to students’ mental health and wellbeing; went into effect immediately.
