TYLER. TEXAS (KETK) — Thursday, the Senate State Affairs Committee approved two bills that would loosen restrictions on carrying handguns in Texas.
The first of these, SB 11 by Senator Brian Birdwell of Granbury, would permit concealed handgun license (CHL) holders to carry concealed weapons on the campuses of public universities. Private universities would still have the discretion to ban CHL carry on their campuses.
The other, SB 17 by Wichita Falls Senator Craig Estes, would permit licensed individuals to carry handguns openly, either holstered on the belt or under the shoulder. The same mental health standards, background checks and training requirements for current CHL applicants would still apply to anyone seeking a license to carry either concealed or in the open. Both bills drew large amounts of testimony in both strong opposition and strong support.
The measures will now head to the Senate floor for consideration.