The Texas House and Senate passed bills allowing Texans to carry holstered handguns in public without a permit or required training. Law enforcement opposed permitless carry, which head to conference to work out differences between the bills.
A solid majority of Texas voters don't think permitless carry should be allowed, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll.
Most citizens and law enforcement don't want permitless carry in their communities. Most people, outside those manipulated by former President and Liar-in-Chief Donald Trump, want to make it easier to vote.
Not the Texas legislature.
The right to vote is under attack, as are the people who protect that right.
Multiple states have passed or are considering new restrictive voting rules in response to the “big lie” that the 2020 election was stolen. There is, of course, no evidence of massive voter fraud in 2020 — and President Biden legitimately won the election — but that has not stopped unscrupulous politicians in states such as Arizona, Georgia, Texas, Florida and Iowa from considering new strict rules on absentee balloting, the ability to use a drop box, and even providing food or water to voters waiting in line.
These attacks on our democracy have received much attention. Far less noticed, however, have been provisions in these laws that penalize local election officials who administer our elections.
Texas already had the most restrictive voting laws in the U.S. Just like permitless carry, new voting restrictions passed both the House and Senate. Once differences are reconciled both the gun and voting bills will head to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature.
Texans experienced how much elected officials care for citizens during Winter Storm Uri. We were left alone in the bitter cold and dark. If they didn't care about our lives, what do they care about our voice? Not a flip.
Update 5-29-21: Former Houston Police Chief Acevedo said law enforcement across the U.S. does not support permitless carry. "It is not needed." Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said he will sign the bill. A solid majority of Texas voters don't think permitless carry should be allowed.
Update 2-3-22: The Guardian reported "Officials in Texas are rejecting thousands of mail-in ballots ahead of the first 2022 midterm primary votes next month, raising serious alarm that a new Republican law is going to disenfranchise droves of eligible voters.
