The Texas House passed a bill on Thursday allowing people to open small arms without a permit. If approved, it would make Texas the largest state in the nation to allow unlicensed small arms.
The bill is progressing through the Texas legislature despite opposition from local police chiefs, who said it endangers officers and allows civilians to carry weapons without proper training and vetting.
The GOP-led state house passed the bill by 84-56 votes, mostly along party lines. More than 20 proposed amendments, mostly from House Democrats, did not pass final legislation.
Current Texas law requires residents to be licensed to carry a handgun, which requires a training class, shooting class, written exam, and application fee of up to $ 40.
The bill would allow anyone 21 or older to carry a gun – hidden or openly holstered – without completing those steps. It also says business owners should verbally tell customers if guns are not allowed in their business, rather than just posting a sign.
There would still be restrictions on people convicted of crimes and domestic violence, and on the carrying of weapons in certain areas, including state hospitals and at sporting events.
The bill’s lead sponsor, GOP state representative Matt Schaffer, called it “constitutional carry” legislation, arguing that many people do not have the time and money to get a permit.
Earlier this week, a group of police chiefs in Texas held a press conference opposing the bill, arguing that civilians must have basic training and be aware of gun laws before they are allowed to carry it.
“Gun owners have a duty to ensure that their weapons are handled safely and a duty to know applicable laws,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. “The licensing process is the best way to get this message across.” He said the bill would also make police officers “less safe”.
The bill must then be passed by the Texas Senate before it could possibly be signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who said last month that he wants to make Texas a “Second Amendment sanctuary state.”
The Tennessee governor signed a similar bill last week, making it the 19th state to allow unlicensed gun carrying.
These bills come as the federal government urges states to take tougher action on weapons following a wave of mass shootings across the country this year. Last week, a high-profile mass shooting took place in Texas, when a gunman killed one person and wounded five others – including a state soldier – at a cabinet factory in Bryan.