Authorities worry new Texas gun law will increase violence

[left-of-center2012]

Texas' new law allowing most people to carry handguns in public without a permit or training came in part from the belief by many Texans that the best way to prevent crime and stop an armed bad guy is to make sure an armed good guy is nearby.

Gov. Greg Abbott and his Republican allies in the Legislature who this summer made Texas the largest state with a so-called permitless carry law pitched it as a way to
let people more easily defend themselves without government interference.

Research suggests crime actually rises after such laws are implemented. And Texas authorities, including many who spoke out against the new measure, worry that having more people walking around armed will lead to more disagreements being settled through gunfire and more lost or stolen firearms ending up in the hands of criminals.

With its new law, Texas joined nearly two dozen states that allow some form of unregulated handgun possession. Texas already allowed rifles to be carried in public without a license. But as of a few days ago, most Texans age 21 or older who haven’t been convicted of certain crimes can now carry a holstered handgun in public without undergoing any training, getting a permit or undergoing a state-run background check.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/authorities-worry-texas-gun-law-increase-violence-79830318

[grumpyduck]

1. Ya think?

[SheltieLover]

2. Similar TN law has!

[Kaleva]

9. And similar to Vermont

[LeftInTX]

14. Vermont naturally has a low crime rate

Texas doesn't

[Ocelot II]

3. I can't imagine why that would happen.

[Zorro]

4. So can constituents pack heat when visiting their representative's office?

Sauce for the goose, ya know...

[marie999]

5. When I read things like this, what I imagine is someone in a dark theater starts shooting.

Everyone pulls out their gun but since they don't know who the shooter is they start shooting anyone with a gun.

[Vinca]

6. In other news, the sun will rise in the east and set in the west.

[lame54]

7. It's not a law - it's an absence of law

[Kaleva]

8. Don't need a permit or training to open carry in Michigan either.

[Dial H For Hero]

10. Nothing new. Only a handful of states heavily regulate concealed carry of handguns.

Green = No permit needed.
Dark Blue = Permit automatically issued, aside from prohibited persons.
Light Blue = Permit automatically issued in practice if not by law.
Yellow = Permit at discretion of authorities.
Red = Permit possible, but almost always denied.
Black = No permits.

[Slammer]

17. not concealed carry

This isn't "concealed carry". This is about "open carry".

If you have a gun, a holster, and the desire, you can walk around in public with your gun openly displayed.

[Dial H For Hero]

18. Here's the open carry map.

Dark Green = Permissive open carrying
Light Green = Permissive open carrying with local restrictions
Yellow = Licensed open carrying
Orange = Anomalous
Red = Non-permissive

A bit more restrictive than concealed carry, granted, but permitting open carry is still very much the norm.

For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of open carry outside wilderness. I very much prefer concealed carry.

[MrModerate]

11. Visiting Texas? Be prepared to duck. And if you're female, don't have sex while there. n/t

[Wounded Bear]

12. Not to mention the increase in collateral damage...

[kimbutgar]

13. I'm glad when I went to Texas it still had sane gun laws

No way would I set foot in that state!

I’m sure it’ll be good for their tourism industry !

[Evolve Dammit]

15. Wild west brought to you by the GOP; "We want you Dead. One way or the other." nt

[LiberalFighter]

16. May it backfire on them unexpectedly