Texas passes NRA backed Open Carry legislation

The National Rifle Association claims another victory for the law-abiding gun owners of Texas with the passage of House Bill 910. This landmark open-carry legislation, now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for his expected signature, will bring the total number of states recognizing the right of open-carry to 44.

"The NRA is proud to have played a leading role in the passage of Texas open carry legislation” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox. “The passage of this common sense law expands law abiding citizens' right to exercise their constitutional freedoms and affirms Texans' long tradition of supporting the Second Amendment.  On behalf of the NRA’s 5 million members, I want to thank bill sponsors Rep. Larry Phillips & Sen. Craig Estes for their tenacious fight to pass this important bill, as well as Senate and House leadership for getting this measure across the goal line."

The NRA-backed legislation removes the requirement for Concealed Handgun Licensees (CHLs) to keep their handguns concealed by giving them the option of carrying their firearm either wholly or partially visible in a belt or shoulder holster. After 20 years of of law-abiding and responsible behavior, Texas CHLs are more than capable of accepting this new level of freedom.

Passed on the final days of the 2015 Texas legislative session, HB 910 requires permit holders to be at least 21 years of age and a resident of Texas for at least six months. As of January 1, 2015, more than 800,000 Texans held concealed carry licenses. 

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Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Follow the NRA on social at Facebook.com/NationalRifleAssociation and Twitter @NRA.