After eight hours of debate, the Texas Senate finally voted on Wednesday, 18-13, to pass a bill allowing any state resident over age 21 to carry a handgun without first having to seek government permission, unless he or she has a criminal history. The bill now goes to Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who has promised to sign it into law.
The new legislation makes Texas the 21st “constitutional carry” state, though two weeks ago, after the House passed the measure, there was serious doubt whether it would pass the Senate. During the debate, dozens of amendments were proposed, either watering down the bill or designed simply to delay the vote.