Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was joined by National Rifle Association EVP and CEO Wayne LaPierre, along with NRA President Carolyn Meadows, 1st Vice President Charles Cotton and 2nd Vice President Willes Lee at the bill-signing ceremony for Texas House Bill 1927. The NRA-backed bill gives law-abiding Texas residents the ability to carry a firearm for self-defense without requiring a license from the state and makes Texas the 21st Constitutional Carry state in the country. The historic ceremony took place in the Alamo, where Gov. Abbott signed seven bills into law.
“In this historic place—the Alamo—one of our nation’s earliest battles for freedom was fought. And today, another has been won, as Texas becomes the 21st state to allow law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm,” LaPierre said. “The United States Constitution sets forth this fundamental right to freedom, and it is an honor to be here as Gov. Abbott signs into law a new bill furthering these rights for all Texans. In an increasingly dangerous world, Texans—and all Americans—deserve the right to protect themselves, their loved ones and their fellow citizens.”
With the passage of the new law, which takes effect Sept. 1, 2021, Texans will be allowed to carry a handgun for protection without a state-issued license to carry. The law will not impact previously issued carry licenses, and residents who still wish to obtain a license to carry to take advantage of reciprocity agreements with other states will be able to do so.
"There is no reason a law-abiding person should have to seek government permission to carry a handgun for self-defense," said Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA-ILA. “Passage of this measure demonstrates Texas' commitment to restoring and protecting our Second Amendment freedoms. We thank Gov. Abbott, bill author Rep. Matt Schaefer, legislative leaders, and every lawmaker who supported this landmark legislation.”
Also signed into law were several other bills, including HB 1500, which prevents government officials from firearm-related businesses during a future disaster; SB 19, which restricts companies that discriminate against the firearm industry from obtaining contracts with state and local government entities; SB 20, which allows hotel guests to transport and store firearms in their rooms while traveling and SB 550, which removes the requirement that a holster for an openly carried handgun be either a belt or shoulder holster.
"Politicians from the federal level to the local level have threatened to take guns from law-abiding citizens—but we will not let that happen in Texas," Gov. Abbott said. "Texas will always be the leader in defending the Second Amendment, which is why we built a barrier around gun rights this session. These seven laws will protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and ensure that Texas remains a bastion of freedom. Thank you to the Texas Legislature for getting these bills to my desk."
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