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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a flurry of pro-gun bills, including the legislation that allows permitless carry, into law.
The most notable of the bills, House Bill 1927, relates "to provisions governing the carrying of a firearm by a person who is 21 years of age or older and not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm and to other provisions related to the carrying, possessing, transporting or storing of a firearm or other weapon."
Conservatives are pleased with how these pieces of legislation are now the law of the state. The legalization of permitless carry has been a long-term goal of Texas conservatives.
"Politicians from the federal level to the local level have threatened to take guns from law-abiding citizens," Abbott said in a post to his Twitter account on June 17. "Not in Texas! I just signed seven pieces of legislation into law protecting #2A rights in Texas — including constitutional carry and making Texas a #2A sanctuary state."
In addition to his activities on social media, Abbott expressed support for the new gun legislation in a speech.
"We need to erect a complete barrier against any government official anywhere from treading on gun rights in Texas,” Abbott said.
Despite support from Abbott and conservatives, the bills received criticism from other sectors.
"The permitless carry bill will cause more violence and loss," Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-El Paso) said in a statement released on June 16. "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 poll sponsored by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune showed a majority of Texas voters as being against permitless carry.