The governor appeared at Alamo Plaza in San Antonio for the bill signing ceremony and was joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan, and several other Republican lawmakers who authored and passed the legislation. Representatives of the National Rifle Association were also in attendance.
Abbott thanked the GOP lawmakers, noting that they had “built a complete barrier of gun rights in Texas” for law-abiding citizens.
Abbott referred to the new law as “the biggest and best of them all.”
Previously, Texans who wanted to carry a pistol needed a state-issued license and were required to undergo training, a proficiency exam, and a background check, although background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System will still be required when purchasing firearms in the state.
While supporters of the bill argue that it would “restore” Second Amendment rights by removing unconstitutional government barriers to carrying a handgun in many public places, critics assert that it could lead to an increase in gun accidents and violence.
Meanwhile, House Bill 957 repeals the criminal offense of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, or repairing a firearm silencer. Gun rights groups have said that while people may associate silencers with the violence seen in Hollywood movies, they are actually used by gun owners to make shooting safer by reducing noise, recoil, and muzzle blast. The bill also ensures that any firearm suppressor manufactured in Texas, and that remains in Texas, will not be subject to federal law or federal regulation.
Finally, Senate Bill 550 removes the shoulder or belt holster requirements, allowing Texans to carry firearms in whatever kind of holster they choose.
Texans are still forbidden from carrying guns in schools, hospitals, amusement parks, and some other public places. Private businesses can still prohibit customers from carrying guns inside.
“Politicians from the federal level to the local level have threatened to take guns from law-abiding citizens—but we will not let that happen in Texas,” Abbott said on Thursday. “Texas will always be the leader in defending the Second Amendment, which is why we built a barrier around gun rights this session.
“These seven laws will protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and ensure that Texas remains a bastion of freedom. Thank you to the Texas Legislature for getting these bills to my desk.”
The victim, whom police identified as Douglas John Kantor, 25, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after noon on Sunday, police said.
Abbott said he had visited Kantor’s family to express his condolences for their loss. They told him that that the incident was not a reason to eliminate Second Amendment rights in the United States.
“The family members are heartbroken about what happened. But the family members were adamant about two things: one, do not let this crime committed by teenagers be a reason to eliminate gun rights in the United States of America,” Abbott said.
“Second thing they told me is they were adamant also that they were against policies that defund police and our cities, like what happened in Austin, Texas.”