A law allowing people to carry handguns in public without a license or training cleared a major hurdle Tuesday by winning the Senate majority and setting Texas on track to become the latest state to lift gun-licensing requirements. The vote delivered another major victory for gun rights activists, whose efforts to push for the permissible carry in Texas have come to nothing in recent years. All 18 Republican senators voted against the controversial bill, which includes amendments designed to allay law enforcement concerns and convince reluctant colleagues.

Texans should be looking for people who can openly carry handguns without a license after the state legislature passed a law that repeals the requirement to carry them. Under the new law, people 21 and older who can legally own a handgun can carry it in public without the license, safety course or background check that is now required.

On Friday, the Texas House of Representatives voted to pass the bill, introduced by Republican Matt Schafer. Although Republicans were initially skeptical of the bill, it passed the Texas Senate by a 52-44 vote. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said he supports the bill and plans to sign it into law when it reaches his desk.

If passed by the Senate and signed by Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, Texans under 21 would be allowed to own and carry handguns openly or in secret without first obtaining a permit. Abbott had said in early April that he wanted to make Texas a “safe haven” for gun owners.

The report says Texas law currently requires a person to have a permit that requires two hours of training and a written exam and a background check. Since the late 1990 “s, people in Texas who had passed the required training – and other qualifications – could carry a handgun openly or secretly in public without a license or permit. Under the bill, if they were 21 or older, had clean criminal records, had no chemical dependence and no criminal record, they could be granted a license to carry. The education required by the state requires education, but people who pass it can do it openly and privately, even in a public place.

If the measure is passed by lawmakers and enacted by Governor Greg Abbott, licensed handgun owners would still have to conceal the weapon.

The Texas Senate on Monday approved Senate Bill 17, which would allow holders of concealed weapons licenses to openly carry firearms. San Antonio State Senator Jorge Villarreal is supporting a bill that would repeal the Texas License to Carry program on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, and allow concealed carry permits to be used in public.

The Texas House of Representatives has already passed the measure, but the two chambers have yet to resolve their differences. The House of Representatives approved the Senate amendments, and the bill now moves to the second chamber for a final vote. The Texas Senate will vote on Bill 17 on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, pending final approval. After Republicans pushed for a 20-11 vote, a 19-14 vote with one abstention was approved Monday.

Governor Greg Abbott said last week that he would sign the bill into law to allow data to be transferred without authorization, and he did so, but not before the Senate vote.

The House Bill 1927 would void the requirement that Texas residents obtain a license to carry a handgun, even if they are not prohibited by federal or state law from possessing a weapon. The law defines the U.S. Constitution as “the right to openly carry handguns in public,” said Rep. John Whitmire, D-San Antonio, the bill’s sponsor.

The Republican-led Texas Senate continues its efforts to protect Second Amendment rights with the passage of the 1927 House of Representatives Open Weapons Act.

Today, the Republican-led Senate passed the Constitution bill backed by Senator Draper. The Senate has passed a bill that would repeal the state’s license to enforce laws. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday that the bill, which would allow people to carry handguns in public without a license, has a good chance of passing a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate if the measure gets House approval. It is unclear which senators support or oppose the measure.

The Texas House voted 87-58, mostly along party lines, in favor of the measure last week, and 87-58 last week.

A solid majority of Texas voters believe that carrying guns should be allowed, and advocates of the idea have long been among the most vocal advocates of gun rights in the state’s political system.

During Wednesday’s debate, several Democratic senators expressed concern that repealing the license requirement would allow people to carry handguns without background checks or training.

Other Democratic lawmakers said the measure would hinder law enforcement in doing their job. State law allows people to obtain a license without passing a background check, attending a class, or passing a written or handwritten test. The Texas State Rifle and Pistol Association and the Texas Association of Carry Instructors have opposed the measures for years, citing safety concerns.