25 May 2021 - Texas poised to allow unlicensed carrying of handguns
Texas May Soon Allow Unlicensed Carrying Of Handguns
Jim Vertuno (The Huffington Post, 24/05/2021)
Texas is poised to remove one of its last gun restrictions after lawmakers approved allowing people to carry handguns without a license, and the background check and training that go with it.
The Republican-dominated Legislature approved the measure Monday, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has said he will sign it despite the objections of law enforcement groups who say it would endanger the public and police.
Gun control groups also oppose the measure, noting the state’s recent history of mass shootings, including those at an El Paso Walmart, a church in Sutherland Springs, and a high school outside Houston, though each of those attacks, the assailants primarily used assault-style rifles, not handguns.
Texas set to allow people to carry handguns without a license – or training
Associated Press (The Guardian, 25/05/2021)
Texas is poised to remove one of its last major gun restrictions – despite widespread objections – after lawmakers approved a bill that would allow people to carry handguns without a license, and the background check and training that go with it.
The state’s Republican-dominated legislature approved the measure Monday, sending it to the governor, Greg Abbott, who has said he will sign it despite objections.
The measure is opposed by law enforcement groups, who say it would endanger the public and police. Gun control groups also oppose the measure, noting the state’s recent history of mass shootings, including those at an El Paso Walmart, a church in Sutherland Springs, and a high school outside Houston.
Opinion: Constitutional carry could be devastating for Texas
Letters to the Editor (Houston Chronicle, 22/04/2021)
Regarding “Texas House approves gun bill,” (A1, April 16): It is hard to imagine a piece of legislation more poorly timed and more potentially dangerous to the public and police than the bill that has passed the Texas House of Representatives to allow the carry of handguns without any training requirements or a permitting process. It is incredible to think about these folks not being exposed to all the components of the concealed handgun license course such as where to carry, where you can’t, when you can use your weapon, when you can’t, not to mention not having to demonstrate some degree of competence with your weapon to minimize the risk to bystanders. This may be a bill with good intentions, but the consequences can be devastating. As a CHL holder for 11 years, I can’t imagine a worse possible scenario. Hopefully the Senate will keep this from becoming law.
Texas governor to sign law preventing the defunding of police, setting up another clash with cities
Paulina Villegas (The Washington Post, 25/05/2021)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Monday to sign a bill that will thwart efforts by cities to reduce or reallocate police budgets, the latest of a string of actions he has taken to restrain local authorities.
Abbott took to Twitter on Sunday night to weigh in on a shooting in the capital, Austin, arguing that the police were “incapable” of responding swiftly due to recent budget cuts.
“This is what defunding the police looks like,” the Republican governor wrote.