Texas prepares to pass constitutional carry law as murder rates continue to climb

By Sophie Kidd

(HOUSTON) The bill that would reduce gun restrictions in Texas is expected to be signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in the coming days. Abbott said on Twitter that the legislation would be “the strongest Second Amendment legislation in Texas history.”

Proponents of the NRA-backed bill say it will equip Texans to protect themselves in the event of an emergency. Some law officials are worried that the “constitutional carry” law will have adverse effects on fighting crime.

Miami Police Department Chief Art Acevedo publicly criticized the bill during an interview on “Face the Nation” last month.

"They only support the blue in word. It's now time to support the blue in deed, by vetoing that bill," he said. "You're either with law enforcement or you stand with the fringe that believe that everybody should have a firearm regardless of their character, their capabilities or their mental capacity."

Acevedo served as Houston’s Chief of Police for five years before taking his current position in Miami this past spring.

Criticisms of the bill have been compounded by the recent spike in violent crimes across the country. Houston Police data reveals that from January to May of this year, the city has seen an 84% increase in murders since 2019, according to ABC News.

The FBI has released preliminary data from nearly 12,000 law enforcement agencies that show murder rates are up 21% nationally. It also reported conducting 39.7 million background checks for firearm purchases-- over one million more than the previous year. Purchases spiked in March at the beginning of the pandemic and again in June following the murder of George Floyd.

These trends are expected to continue through 2021.

The “constitutional carry” law would allow people over the age of 21 to carry handguns without a permit. Convicted felons, domestic abusers and mentally ill individuals will still be barred from carrying handguns under state and federal laws.

A gun show in Odessa, TexasELI HARTMAN/ASSOCIATED PRESS

In Texas, guns are not allowed to be carried at state-run hospitals, schools, bars, sporting events and businesses that otherwise do not allow weapons. However, the bill now stipulates that Texans can bring their handguns into public government meetings.

Once signed, the bill is expected to take effect on Sept. 1.

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