Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially signed the state’s permitless carry legislation into law.

The landmark legislations make the Lone Star State the 21st legal gun owners can both keep and carry arms without a state license or concealed weapon permit. The new law does not go into effect until September 1, but as of that date, Texas residents – who are over age 21 and not overwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun – can carry a firearm, either openly or concealed, without needing a permit or training.

Abbott’s signature comes nearly three weeks after the Texas legislature passed the permitless “Constitutional carry” bill on May 27. The state House approved the final measure in an 82-62 vote, and the Senate approved it the same day with a 17-13 vote. The bill was sent to Abbott’s desk the next day.

Prior to the passage of the law, Texans were required to submit fingerprints, complete four to six hours of training, pass a written exam and a shooting proficiency test before being issued a firearms license.

Residents will still be prohibited from carrying handguns while intoxicated and in schools, polling places, bars, hospitals, and nursing homes, sporting events, courts, and in some areas of airports.

Abbott had said he would sign the bill if it passed, yet it’s not clear why he waited nearly three weeks to do so. However, the bill was one of more than 100 bills Abbott signed on the same day, indicating that a backlog of bills may have played some role in the delay.

According to the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), 20 other states already have some form of permitless carry law. Texas is the 21st and largest state to pass such legislation. The new Texas gun law, like the permitless carry laws in these other states, is based on the concept of “Constitutional Carry.”

USCCA defines Constitutional Carry as “the ability to carry a firearm without a restriction in place by the Government.” In a Constitutional Carry State, there is no licensing or training required to legally carry a firearm. Some states with unlicensed carry have implemented certain policies that restrict the method of carry or who can carry. Some require you to be 21, others require you to be a resident of that state, and others only allow concealed or open carry.

Those that advocate against Constitutional Carry argue that it makes it easier to obtain firearms and will increase gun violence. However, Constitutional Carry used to be known as “Vermont Carry” because Vermont, since it was established as a state, never restricted the carry of firearms by any adult. Vermont is one of the safest states in the Union and has some of the lowest rates of gun deaths. In fact, according to current statistics, most of the Top 10 states – including Vermont – with the least gun deaths in the country are permitless carry states. 

The passage of the law is seen as a huge victory for Second Amendment advocates, and many see it as a  major step forward in the fight for the right to carry in all 50 states.

What do you think? Should Constitutional Carry be allowed in all 50 States? Please reply using the comments below!