Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is applauding Texas lawmakers after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill into law allowing residents to carry handguns without a license or training.
“Thanks to the Texas Legislature and Governor Abbott, constitutional carry is now the law of the land for the Lone Star State. This groundbreaking piece of legislation is a victory for the Second Amendment, the right to self-defense, and all law-abiding Texans,” Cruz said in a statement.
He added, “I applaud all of the Texas lawmakers who worked to make this constitutional triumph a reality for our state.”
Abbott signed the bill into law on Wednesday. He held a ceremonial signing of the bill and other legislation on Thursday.
BREAKING: @GregAbbott_TX signs constitutional carry into law in Texas pic.twitter.com/zZHgD4BbY6
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) June 17, 2021
CNN noted the law “allows individuals 21 and older who can legally possess firearms in the state to carry handguns in public places without permits.”
The legislation will go into effect in September. The Texas Tribune pointed out the Senate added several amendments to address concerns law enforcement groups had who objected to permitless carry because they worried it would put officers in danger and make it easier for criminals to obtain firearms.
The measure received opposition from other lawmakers, including Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-El Paso).
“The permitless carry bill will cause more violence and loss,” she said in a statement.
She added, “Despite overwhelming support for common-sense gun violence prevention legislation like universal background checks, Texas Republicans, led by a cowardly governor, are more interested in groveling for the gun lobby’s attention than they are in preventing gun violence and honoring victims and survivors in El Paso and across Texas.”
A 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso in 2019 killing 23 and injuring 25.
CNN reported five other states, including Iowa, Tennessee, Montana, Utah and Wyoming have passed legislation making the way for some form of permitless carry in 2021.