Texas lawmaker pushing ‘Constitutional Carry’ gun bill
A state lawmaker wants to make it legal for all Texans to pack a pistol with or without a permit.
Two controversial gun laws have come through the Texas Legislature in the past few sessions. Legislators passed the Open Carry law two years ago. Campus Carry also allows the concealed carry of handguns on college campus.
But State Rep. Jonathan Strickland wants to take it a step further. He has authored House Bill 375, or the Constitutional Carry bill, to give all Texans the right to openly carry a handgun.
“We don’t think that Texans should have to take a required class or pay a fee to exercise their Second Amendment rights to defend themselves,” he said.
Stickland said criminals by nature do not obey the laws, so the restrictions are only hurting the good guys.
“What we are looking to do with Constitutional Carry is remove some of the barriers that are keeping the good guys from being in a position to defend themselves,” he said.
Gov. Greg Abbott has not committed to supporting the bill, but Strickland said it is still one of the top two priorities for the Republicans. He’s filed similar legislation in the past. He thinks this year is the year that it will pass.
