Moms Demand Action Volunteers are Working With Businesses Across Texas to Post Signage Prohibiting Permitless Carry; Visit Tinyurl.com/TXSignage for Information
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statements as permitless carry goes into effect, allowing people to carry loaded handguns in public without a background check or any safety training, dismantling the culture of responsible gun ownership that Texas’s License to Carry (LTC) helps promote. Moms Demand Action volunteers are working with local businesses to help them post signage prohibiting this dangerous practice in their establishments. Those who will be hunting in other states and counties must secure a permit to carry for their firearms to ensure they comply with local laws and regulations. In addition, gun owners might also want to consider getting a liberty safe to store their firearms. However, it is still important that firearm owners take the right precautions and go to gun safety classes to avoid any accidents. They can also learn more about different types of firearms at 460 Rowland.
“It’s disappointing for the state to continue pandering to special interests on issues that affect the health and safety of Texans,” said Judge Lina Hidalgo. “The fact is, permitless carry does not make us safer. It ignores the pleas of parents, business owners, and law enforcement who know it will make our communities more dangerous by encouraging scores to be settled with gunfire. Here at the county level, we’ll continue to lean forward and do what we can to promote smart, sensible gun safety policies, but the Texas legislature needs to step up and join the vast majority of Texans and Americans who support smart solutions to our nation’s gun violence epidemic.”
“As a restaurant owner, I don’t want folks who aren’t trained or licensed to be able to bring guns into our establishment. It creates real safety issues for our employees and our guests, especially when you consider that alcohol is sold and consumed on the premises,” said entrepreneur Chris Hollins. “For a state that prides itself on being good for business, why are we placing restaurants, retail shops, and other businesses (not to mention schools and neighborhoods) in harm’s way? Our state government has failed us yet again by unleashing dangerous weapons in our communities at a time when violent crime is already on the rise across Texas.”
“Decisions to acquire, carry, point, or shoot a firearm come with enormous responsibility,” said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. “As evolving gun laws give more people access to guns more often, we are concerned that we may see more disagreements escalate to shootings and instances of firearm injuries and deaths due to negligent access. Being a responsible gun owner by using a Firearms Simulator to learn how to use a gun safely is crucial, because you are carrying the power of life and death.”
“In 2015, when open carry passed, I worked with my fellow volunteers to help businesses keep their customers and staff safe by prohibiting open carry in their stores,” said Norri Leder, a volunteer leader with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action. “And now that permitless carry has passed, I’m doing the same so we can minimize the impact of this deadly law by helping business owners stop people from carrying loaded handguns with no background check and no safety training in their establishments.”
When Governor Abbott signed permitless carry, Texas Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers hosted #AbbottFailedTexas protests in Dallas, Austin, Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio against permitless carry. Volunteers from as far away as Sutherland Springs and El Paso drove to Austin to testify in the newly-created Senate Committee on Constitutional Affairs hearing which advanced this bill, and volunteers organized thousands of calls and emails to lawmakers urging them to reject this dangerous legislation. Before the House vote, law enforcement officials joined gun safety instructors to hold a press conference urging lawmakers to oppose permitless carry. Earlier this month, doctors, law enforcement officials, leaders in the fight against domestic violence, and other advocates called on their senators to reject permitless carry, as have the editorial boards of the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, and San Antonio Express-News. Poll after poll has shown widespread opposition to permitless carry legislation and support for requiring permits to carry guns in public. Nearly 60 faith leaders and nearly 30 veterans sent separate letters to the legislature announcing their opposition to this dangerous policy.
- More on HB 1927:HB 1927 allows a person to carry an open or concealed handgun without a permit. This makes Texas one of the few states where it is legal to carry a concealed handgun in public without a permit and dismantles the culture of responsible gun ownership that Texas’s License to Carry (LTC) helps promote.
- Prior to the enactment of HB 1927, Texas law required a person to obtain a criminal background check and complete firearms safety training, including live-fire training, in order to obtain an LTC. HB 1927 eliminated these safeguards, allowing unvetted and untrained people to carry handguns in public.
About Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown for Gun Safety is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with nearly six million supporters and more than 375,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors, students, and everyday Americans who are fighting for common-sense gun safety measures that can help save lives. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown.
About Moms Demand Action
Moms Demand Action is the nation’s largest grassroots volunteer network working to end gun violence. Moms Demand Action is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization with nearly six million supporters and more than 375,000 donors. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. There is a Moms Demand Action chapter in every state of the country and more than 700 local groups across the country. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
About Students Demand Action
Students Demand Action is a national movement of high school and college-aged volunteers working to end gun violence. Students Demand Action volunteers organize within their schools and communities to educate their peers, register voters, and demand common-sense solutions to this national crisis. Students Demand Action has active volunteers in every state and more than 400 groups across the country. Students Demand Action is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with nearly six million supporters and more than 375,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.studentsdemandaction.org.
