Texas Governor Abbott Signs ERCOT Reforms Legislation Into Law
AUSTIN, TX - JUNE 08: Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks during a press conference where he signed Senate Bills 2 and 3 at the Capitol on June 8, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Governor Abbott signed the bills into law to reform the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and weatherize and improve the reliability of the state's power grid. The bill signing comes months after a disastrous February winter storm that caused widespread power outages and left dozens of Texans dead. Photo by Montinique Monroe/Getty Images

Texas Governor Greg Abbott delivered a victory for gun advocates after signing a bill Wednesday, June 16, allowing holstered handguns to be carried statewide without any permit.

Permitless Handgun

The conservative wing of the party also celebrated the approval. Starting on September 1, House Bill 1927 will take effect, which will allow any individual 21 years or older to legally possess a firearm in the state of Texas. Texans will be permitted to carry a handgun in public without any permit.

Currently, the state law of Texas allows residents 21 or older to carry a handgun only after they have completed the required training and criminal background checks to obtain a license to carry.

But according to the Texas Tribune, Texas Governor Greg Abbott will be holding a bill signing ceremony at the Alamo in San Antonio at 11 a.m. Thursday for the permitless carry measure alongside other gun bills. Abbott is expected to be joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and other Republican lawmakers.

The National Rifle Association representatives will also join in the ceremony.

Last month, the House and Senate sent the measure to Abbott after they had reached a compromise that addressed some concerns from law enforcement. The final version created stiffer penalties for illegal weapons carried by felons and those individuals convicted of family violence offenses.

In addition, the bill will also be allowing individuals previously convicted of unlawfully carrying a handgun in a public place to have their convictions erased from their record. It will be providing a limited affirmative defense for those individuals who mistakenly bring their handguns to certain prohibited places in the past.

Meanwhile, the current directs the Department of Public Safety of the state of Texas to create a free, online gun safety course. But under the new bill, training is no longer required to carry a handgun. However, businesses can prohibit guns by posting a sign visible to their customers and visitors.

On the other hand, Texas Democrats, alongside gun control activists, have denounced the bill which allows the permitless carrying of a handgun. They have emphasized that the bill would increase gun violence in Texas, and it will give criminals an easier way of accessing and obtaining guns.

Texas Democrats also expressed their frustration over the Legislature's failure to pass bipartisan gun control measures in the aftermath of multiple mass shootings in the state.

Progress Texas executive director Ed Espinoza said Wednesday that Gov. Abbott and Republicans are out of touch with the Texas voters. A poll from the UT/Texas Tribune found that 57% of Texans strongly support background checks on all gun purchases, Austin American-Statesman reported.

More Surprises from Abbott

The Republican governor of Texas announced during a press conference on Wednesday that officials are making a major down payment on a border wall that is going to be built for the state. Abbott emphasized that it will help to respond to Democrat President Joe Biden's border crisis.

In a letter, Gov. Abbott directed the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Bryan Collier to transfer $250 million from the General Revenue to the Disaster Fund within the Trusteed Programs of the Office of the Governor, Daily Wire reported.

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