It’s Official: Texans Can Open Carry Handguns Starting January 1st 2016, Campus Carry August 1st 2016

PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS — Today, at what other place than a gun range; Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 910, the Texas Open Carry Bill for Concealed Handgun Holders, into law.

The Governor signed the bill into law at Reg’s Indoor Gun Range, located in Pflugerville, which is a suburb of Austin. After the signing, the Governor took the opportunity to fire some rounds down range.

“Why today is possible,” Abbott began in his remarks, “is because we have legislators who stepped up, did the right thing, crafted legislation, collaborated to get the votes that were needed to expand gun rights in the state of Texas.”

Governor Abbott quoted quite a few people to make his point, and he couldn’t have been more dead on. His purpose: to describe the concept of genius.

“President Washington said ‘that a free people should not only be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain independence from any who might attempt to abuse them.’”

“Thomas Jefferson said that ‘laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are not inclined to commit crime,’” the Governor continued.

He concluded with Ronald Reagan’s famous quip: “‘I happen to know from personal experience that those who seek to inflict harm are not fazed by by gun control.’”

“They understood the imperative of the 2nd Amendment, and so do we,” Governor Abbott stated. “We understand that the Constitution matters. Every single word of it and every single component of the Bill of Rights.”

“Today is a day when Republicans and Democrats are united saying that we will live up to the promise of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution — including the 2nd Amendment,” he stated proudly. “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Another important piece of legislation signed is the Campus Carry bill, which will allow licensed concealed carry permit holders to carry on campus. This will negate the vast majority of college students, as you need to be 21 years old in order to apply for your permit. The bill will, however, allow private universities to opt out and public ones to designate parts of their campuses as gun-free zones.

While the Open Carry law is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2016, Campus Carry will not take effect until Aug. 1, 2016.