Texas 'open carry' gun law passes, bill heads to governor
Carrying handguns openly in the US state of Texas will become legal after lawmakers in the nation’s second most populous state gave final legislative approval for the measure.
The Texas House of Representatives and the state’s Senate on Friday gave final approval to the legislation to allow those with a concealed carry license to openly carry a firearm in public.
The bill will be sent to Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who promised to sign the bill into law immediately.
"Open Carry just passed in both the Texas House & Senate. Next destination: My Pen," he said on Twitter.
Texas, known for its wild west and cowboy history, has some of the country’s most relaxed gun laws and has about 850,000 concealed handgun license holders, a number that has increased sharply in recent years.
The practice of “open carry”, where gun owners openly carry firearms while they go about their daily business, has seen an increase in the US in recent years.
“Open carry” is strongly opposed by gun control groups such as the Brady Campaign and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
"This session has been an alarming show of politicking that caters to a gun lobby agenda," said Sandy Chasse with the Texas Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. "As a gun-owning Texas mom, this is not the Texas I want for my family or community."
According to the Gun Violence Archive, over 5,000 people have been killed and 9,740 people have been injured by gun violence across the US since January 1, 2015.
AHT/HRJ
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