Texas in the US to Allow Open Carry of Firearms Without a License

Texas Likely to Become 21st State Allowing Open Carry of Firearms Without License
Opposition Voices Raised... Majority of Residents Oppose in Poll

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The state of Texas in the United States is expected to soon implement a bill allowing the open carry of firearms without a license. This will make Texas the 21st state in the U.S. to liberalize open carry of firearms.

On the 24th (local time), the Texas Tribune reported that the bill (HB-1927), which significantly expands the right to openly carry firearms, was passed by the state legislature and sent to Governor Greg Abbott's office for final signature.

Previously, the bill passed the Texas House of Representatives on the 23rd with 82 votes in favor and 62 against, and was approved in the Senate on the same day with 17 votes in favor and 13 against.

Under current Texas state law, a license is required to openly carry a firearm. However, the newly passed bill allows Texas residents to openly carry firearms without a license unless prohibited by federal or state law.

Republican State Senator Charles Schwertner, who voted in favor of the bill, said, "This bill is to return the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment, which protects gun ownership, to the people of Texas," adding, "It will be the strongest bill guaranteeing gun ownership."

However, to prevent crimes caused by indiscriminate gun possession, the state Senate strengthened penalties for serious gun-related crimes during the bill review process and removed a provision that would have allowed police to question residents solely for carrying firearms.

Nevertheless, voices opposing the liberalization of open carry have emerged. Democratic State Senator John Whitmire questioned, "Do the legislators know that many citizens are concerned about the dangers of this bill?"

In fact, a poll released last month by the University of Texas showed that 59% of respondents opposed the bill allowing open carry without a license, which was significantly higher than the 34% who supported it.

Meanwhile, 20 states currently allow open carry of firearms without a license, including Arizona, Alaska, West Virginia, Wyoming, Utah, Iowa, and Arkansas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.