AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is closer than ever before to becoming the largest state where most people would not need formal training to carry a handgun. The House and Senate gave the final okay to a compromise hashed out by a select group of members from both chambers.

What You Need To Know

  • Lawmakers approved allowing people to carry handguns without a license

  • Now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has said he will sign it

  • Law enforcement groups who say it would endanger the public and police

  • Supporters of the bill say it would allow Texans to better defend themselves in public

The "permitless carry" bill now heads to the governor’s desk. The final version includes Senate amendments that were aimed to address some of the concerns law enforcement groups raised when it comes to responding to calls where handguns are involved. Proponents of the bill said more people will be able to protect themselves, while detractors believe there are still too many loopholes and dangers. 

"This bill is the strongest constitutional carry law if passed and signed by the governor, while respecting the concerns of law enforcement. During the conference committee, we work diligently with our house colleagues to ensure a final bill that restores the fundamental right of all law abiding citizens," Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown said. 

In their pursuit of the permitless carry of handguns in Texas, lawmakers often bring up wanting to protect women in need. 

“We’ve made it difficult for a woman to feel safer, when she is a law-abiding citizen walking on the street in her neighborhood, and I think that is worthy of bringing this bill to this body," said House Bill 1927's author, Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, last month when the bill was first debated in the House. 

After 30 years of helping survivors of domestic violence, Jan Langbein disagrees the measure would actually help women. Langbein is the CEO of the Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support in Dallas. 

“It’s a flimsy excuse to say that this bill gives people a right to have a gun so they can protect themselves from the dangers outside. What I hear every single day are the dangers from the inside of the house. We hear stories of women whose abuser has held a gun to their head, because dinner was late," Langbeing said. "The presence of firearms does make it more dangerous for women in the house, women and children."

In less than 48 hours, both the House and Senate gave final approval to the compromise reached among a bipartisan group of legislators. 

“If you're a felon who can't carry now you're gonna have a sharper and harsher penalty if you do in the future," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a recent interview with Capital Tonight's Karina Kling. 

The final bill includes a number of Senate amendments including one that prohibits Texans from permitless carry for five years if they’re convicted of assault that causes bodily injury, deadly conduct, terroristic threat, and disorderly conduct with a firearm. There are also increased punishments for those convicted of family violence. 

Rachel Malone, Texas Director of Gun Owners of America, said she did not entirely agree with the Senate changes and there is language in the bill she hopes to eventually "clean up" should the bill become law this fall. That includes penalties for those convicted of misdemeanors. But Malone said she is overall optimistic. 

"It's been my absolute honor, to be able to give firearms instruction to some victims of domestic violence and hearing their stories is heart wrenching, and I would do anything I can to protect these women," Malone said. “It doesn't make committing acts of violence more accessible for criminals. It still criminalizes all the acts of violence. But what this bill does, is it makes self defense more accessible for those who need it the most, including those who are victims of domestic violence."

Law enforcement agencies have been speaking out against the permitless carry of handguns for years. Conferees ultimately would allow officers to temporarily disarm or question people about handgun possession. 

Kevin Lawrence, executive director of the Texas Municipal Police Association, said he predicts there could be some issues that come up, in particular, when police are called to enforce a private business owner's rules around banning handguns on private premises.

“Cops are still stuck in the middle of it, so it's still gonna make the jobs of our officers more difficult. But it's a much more palatable bill than it was when it came out of the House," Lawrence said. 

TMPA is still recommending Texans to get their license and get trained, considering the bill would also remove the fees historically associated with the process. Lawrence, who noted that police get trained consistently on firearm retention, said a license would be a way to let police know someone is already vetted. 

Among the Texas police chiefs who spoke publicly against the bill is Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. In a statement to Capital Tonight, a Dallas Police Department public information officer said, "Regardless of the decision made by the state legislature on permit-less carry, our department will be prepared to uphold the laws and continue protecting the community we serve.”   

But from Langbein’s experience, she does not think offenders are deterred by punitive action. 

“Just to be able to arm everyone and call it their God-given right is wrong," she said. 

Defying calls from police leaders and gun control activists, Texas is on the verge of one of the biggest expansions of second amendment rights.