7 pieces of legislation signed yesterday. Hell yeah.
https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/st...883952139?s=20
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/te...ation/2659615/
HB1927
"Number one is probably the biggest and best of them all and that is the constitutional carry right in the Lone Star State," Abbott said. Texas joined nearly two dozen other states in allowing anyone who can legally own a firearm to carry that firearm. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
People are freaking out about this, but I don't think understand the scope.
1.) LTC's have always been easy to get. So the vast majority of people who cared about carrying legally already do.
2.) Lots of people carry without LTC's already because they don't give a shit what the law says.
3.) More people have weapons on them than you think.
HB2622
"Next is a law that makes Texas a second amendment sanctuary state. This helps to shield Texas and Texans from overreaching federal government laws that we will not allow any Texan to enforce in the Lone Star State," Abbott said. The law regulates the enforcement of certain federal laws regulating firearms, firearm accessories, and firearm ammunition within the State of Texas. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
This law is also retroactive to Jan 19th of this year, so if the Fed tries to pass something between now and Sept 1st, this law still covers it.
Does it mean you can throw federal gun laws to the wind? No. You still have to contend with the Alphabet Boys. The Alphabet Boys just can't get help from the state, and there's not enough Alphabet Boys to go around.
HB1500
"We are also preventing any government entity from prohibiting the sale or transportation of guns or ammo during a declared disaster," Abbott said. the law essentially makes those businesses essential businesses that can not be prohibited from operating during a disaster. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
This was a reaction to the simultaneous covid lockdown + race riots from last year.
SB19
"And we are also prohibiting any government entity from contracting with any business that discriminates against firearm and ammunition businesses and organizations like the NRA," Abbott said. SB19 says that companies that want to enter into a contract with a governmental entity will have to provide in writing that they do not have any policies that discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade association and that they will not enact any such policies during the term of the contract. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
This is one of those laws Texas does that makes me scratch my head, like requiring the same folks as above pledge loyalty to Israel. Whatever.
SB550
"Next is what I call 'holster choice.' Texas eliminated the shoulder or belt holster requirement allowing Texans to carry in whatever kind of holster they choose," Abbott said. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
Good. Texas is the only carry friendly state that I'm aware of that has weird specific laws on holsters, and the previous law is out of date compared to modern holster technology. So this was a good move.
SB20
"This next law protects travelers who are traveling through the state of Texas and it allows them to store firearms in their hotel rooms," Abbott said. The law prohibits a hotel from adopting a firearms policy prohibiting a hotel guest from carrying and storing a firearm or firearm ammunition in their hotel room. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
Generally I'm very "this is my private property and fuck you if you think you can dictate to me what is and isn't allowed on MY property", but I'm empathetic to this one because I have to contend with it constantly. Nearly every hotel I stay at doesn't let me have my guns, but I end up sneaking them in anyways because I'm definitely not leaving them in my car. So personally I'm torn on this one.
HB957
"Last but not least, we passed a law that says any firearm suppressor made in Texas and stays in Texas will not be subject to federal law or federal regulations," Abbott said. The law allows devices designed to silence or reduce the noise a gun makes when shot to go unregistered so long as the item was made in Texas, the packaging was stamped "Made in Texas" and so long as it remains in Texas and does not cross state lines. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021.
So this one isn't done yet, there's still a whole song & dance they need to do with the DOJ to validate this, but hopefully it clears that hurdle. Suppressors being NFA items is a dumb thing. Even European countries who have tight gun laws allow you to buy a suppressor off the shelf with no special bullshit because they didn't drink the Hollywood kool-aid about how they work. Hell, some countries actually don't allow you to hunt WITHOUT a suppressor.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with Wheels. If he wants to run for President of the US or President of Texas, I'll vote for him.
