Texas poised to allow open carry of handguns

[Jazzy]

Texas lawmakers on Friday approved carrying handguns openly on the streets of the nation's second most-populous state, sending the bill to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who immediately promised to sign it and reverse a ban dating to the post-Civil War era.

Gun owners would still have to get a license to carry a handgun in a visible holster.

The state known for its wild west, cowboy history and some the nation's most relaxed gun laws, has allowed concealed handguns for 20 years. Concealed handgun license holders are even allowed to skip the metal detectors at the state Capitol, as state troopers providing security assume they're armed.

But Texas was one of only six states with an outright ban on so-called open carry, and advocates have fought to be allowed to keep their guns in plain sight. Cast as an important expansion of the Second Amendment right to bear arms in the U.S. Constitution, it became a major issue for the state's strong Republican majority.

The House gave final approval on a mostly party-line 102-43 vote, drawing gleeful whistles from some lawmakers. A short time later, the Senate passed it 20-11, also along party lines, with all Republicans supporting it and all Democrats opposing.

The bill passed after lawmakers made concessions to law enforcement groups, who had been upset by an original provision that barred police from questioning people carrying guns if they have no other reason to stop them.

The final bill scrapped that language, meaning police will be able to ask Texans with handguns in plain sight if they have proper licenses.

Just like the current concealed handgun law, the bill requires anyone wanting to openly carry a handgun to get a license. Applicants must be 21, pass a background check and receive classroom and shooting range instruction.

Democrats such as Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston said they fear violence on the streets.

"I hope we don't have a host of Texans running around with a Rambo mentality," Ellis said.

Source

Thoughts?

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

Excellent!

But as usual the left thinks private citizens can't possibly be able to protect themselves.

 

[Webster]

Democrats such as Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston said they fear violence on the streets. "I hope we don't have a host of Texans running around with a Rambo mentality," Ellis said.

That quote above exemplifies the Democrat way of thinking, that people need to be coddled from anything & everything....