Texas lawmakers approve bill to carry handgun without license or background check

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Republican-led legislature in Texas has approved a bill that will allow people to carry a handgun with no license, background check, or firearm training, CBS News reports. Although law enforcement groups have said the bill will endanger both the police and the public, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will sign the measure into law.

Texas already allows rifles to be carried without a license, and has over 1.6 million handgun license owners, CBN News reports. Texas residents have been allowed to carry handguns since 1995 and, CBN News said, the state “has been reducing the cost and training requirements for getting a license over the last decade.”

Once the new measure is law, Texas will become one of over 20 states which have some deregulation of handguns. The law will be applied to individuals aged over 21.

Supporters of the new handgun measure say it does away with impediments to the Second Amendment right to bear arms, and will help citizens defend themselves, CBS News said.

However, gun control groups say the bill is warranted, also because of the history of mass shootings in the state, including the disasters at an El Paso Walmart, a Sutherland Springs church, and a Santa Fe high school.

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