Texas ‘Permitless Carry’ Effective Sept. 1, Without NRA Meetings

Permitless carry becomes law in Texas Sept. 1, but NRA won’t be in Houston to celebrate. (Dave Workman)

U.S.A.-(AmmoLand.com)- When Texans start carrying sidearms in public Sept. 1—thanks to passage of Senate Bill 1927 earlier this year—they won’t be able to celebrate the fact as part of the would-have-been festivities in Houston over the Labor Day weekend when the National Rifle Association was to gather for its landmark 150th-anniversary members’ meetings and exhibits. NRA canceled the event, citing concerns over COVID-19.

According to Houston Public Media, “permitless carry remains controversial.” Even some firearms instructors opposed it, while Republican state lawmakers “were largely united in support of the bill,” the story said. Gyl Switzer, executive director of Texas Gun Sense, told Houston Public Media, “I think it will mean more handguns in public. And data show us time after time after time that guns don’t make us safer.”

Switzer may have to walk that back a bit in the wake of an incident in San Antonio last week in which an unidentified armed citizen intervened in what could have been a violent attack on top of a tragedy. A female bicyclist was struck by a car and killed when she reportedly ignored a red light. The driver of the car was taking his children to school, according to KSAT news. The woman’s boyfriend, riding behind her, reportedly pulled a machete on the driver, but a second motorist drew his sidearm “in an effort to diffuse the situation,” according to Fox News.

It was not explained why the boyfriend was carrying a machete while riding a bicycle, but the armed citizen’s presence apparently prevented a bloody confrontation.

There are some interesting reader reactions to the KSAT report on the accident. One reader, identified as “Matthew 28:5-6” observed, “There could have been 2 dead bodies. Looks like a good guy with the gun prevented another death. Still very sad the lady lost her life because she disregarded the traffic light. And for those of you who are gun critics, that could have been your husband or brother, who got to go home because someone had the courage to intervene and defend a 3rd party. Not to mention there were children in the vehicle, who were also in danger. Cheers to the unknown hero.”

There are concerns about the absence of required training for people who choose to carry without a permit. As noted by Houston Public Media, the class required for obtaining a license to carry covers basic gun laws and “conflict resolution.” There is also material on safe gun storage and applicants must demonstrate “basic shooting proficiency.”

It is ironic, then, that the new law kicks in just days before the now-canceled NRA gathering was to have begun in Houston. NRA was involved in getting the legislation through the Texas Legislature in Austin. With all of the association’s problems of late, the new permitless carry law could have been something to celebrate.

Earlier this month, the Texas Tribune posted the results of a poll it did along with the University of Texas that shows 59 percent of the state’s voters oppose permitless carry, while 56 percent of Republicans support it. Eighty-five percent of Democrats and 54 percent of Independents oppose the idea.

But some observations by Ray Hunt, executive director of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, acknowledged to the Texas Tribune that concerns about the open carry law adopted in 2016 never materialized. As reported by the newspaper, “Law enforcement heavily condemned 2016’s ‘open carry’ law that permits Texans to openly carry handguns in public as long as they have a permit. Many said they didn’t end up seeing noticeable effects after it passed.”

Hunt told the newspaper something else. “We were completely opposed to ‘license to carry’ when it happened, and we said all of the same arguments that we’re saying now,” Hunt reportedly recalled. “And nothing happened, so we’re hoping that we’re overreacting. We’re just concerned because anytime there’s more guns, there’s a problem.”

While Hunt has acknowledged this, the gun prohibition lobby never seems to reach that point. Instead, anti-gunners just want more gun control laws.

Yet in Texas, as everywhere else, more restrictive gun control laws do not seem to prevent criminals from getting firearms and committing violent crimes. They just make it tougher for law-abiding citizens to exercise rights enumerated and protected by the Constitution.

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About Dave Workman

Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms, and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.

Dave Workman

NRATexas
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RicktheBear

“Any time there’s more guns, there’s a problem.”

In lawful hands, as well? Evidence, please.

JimmyS

That’s why police stations are such a disaster. Full of armed criminals.

KDude

NRA is happy to ensure we’re all licensed and permitted so we can all go buy what government allows us. What part of NRA is a rights advocacy? NONE!

JPM

Covid my ass. Wayne found out that he might be “welcomed” in a manner befitting his behavior by the NRA members in the Great State of Texas, especially with the “coincidental” enactment of open carry at the same time Wayne was supposed to show up.

Russn8r

True, not about Covid. Not about open carry either.

Short-Horned Texas Cuck Greg Abbott’s ‘Con Carry’ & ‘Open Carry’ kept the whole patchwork quilt of ‘Gun Free Zones, affirming the ‘right’ of ‘private’ firms to endanger the public by posting ‘GFZs’, deterring carry even in the carry zones (e.g. convention centers & malls; see El Paso).

How many ‘GFZs’ existed in 1789/92 when the Constitution & 2A were adopted?

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
GomeznSA

Dave – I know you were quoting FOX but their use of ‘diffuse’ instead of the correct term ‘defuse’ in that article is VERY indicative of a long standing issue in terminology use (think ‘clip’ vs ‘magazine). It is small wonder that joe public gets so easily mislead and confused on gun related issues. The gist of the issue as epitomized by Switzer et al is that the antis are STILL using the same old tired laments of blood in the streets, shootouts at high noon and so on that have never happened. At least the HPD dude figured it… Read more »

Russn8r

Stop sucking ass, Schart. No one wants to see that S.

RicktheBear

That ‘s the FBI cant.

Of course you would draw rearward from a pocket.

Wild Bill

@Rick,
Yes, that brings new meaning to the phrase, “The FBI can’t …”

swmft

guess you have never done quick draw , or as they now call it cowboy keeps the front blade from catching in the holster

Russn8r

You’ll OBEY/enforce all laws/orders, however unconscionable, like a good NaZ1, on your ignorant, subversive, non-contextual misrep of Romans 13.

Why use Jules’ false quote?

Revelation 22: 18…If any man adds unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues…19 And if any man takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take his part out of the book of life and the holy city…

Deuteronomy 4:2: Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither diminish from it…

You’re going to hell, Schart. 🙂 LOL

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
Russn8r

“We tried firing LaPew in ’97. Workman turned coat to save him.”

Why won’t Dave man up & say sorry for helping LaPewCo loot the NRA?

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/07/shit-storm-todays-nra-heads-need-to-roll/#comment-2765008

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
Russn8r

“We tried firing LaPew in ’97. Workman turned coat to save him.”

Will Harry & David say sorry for helping LaPewCo loot the NRA?

Chirp…Chirp…Chirp…

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/07/shit-storm-todays-nra-heads-need-to-roll/#comment-2765008