Constitutional carry officially passes Texas House

AUSTIN — House Bill 1927, constitutional-carry handgun legislation, has now been officially passed by the Texas House of Representatives on a vote of 87-58. The controversial bill is now headed for further debate in the state Senate. House Speaker Dade Phelan made the final vote on third reading official. Tyler State Representative Matt Schaefer’s bill would allow for the carrying of a handgun without a permit.  According to Schaefer, “This says that a person who is legally able to possess a handgun would now be able to carry that handgun in a public place.”  Democrats unsuccessfully argued the bill would make Texans less safe.  State Representative Ana-Maria Ramos said, “There is no proficiency test, no safety training, or anything before carrying a handgun in public.”