A slew of Texas firearm laws will go into effect next month, loosening restrictions on where people are allowed to carry and store guns.
The new laws will go in place weeks after a gunman killed 22 people in a Walmart in El Paso, according to CNN. The suspected shooter, Patrick Crusius, picked the target area because of its “low security,” according to his alleged manifesto, posted online minutes before the attack.
“Remember: it is not cowardly to pick low hanging fruit. AKA Don’t attack heavily guarded areas to fulfill your super soldier COD fantasy. Attack low security targets. Even though you might out gun a security guard or police man, they likely beat you in armor, training and numbers. Do not throw away your life on an unnecessarily dangerous target. If a target seems too hot, live to fight another day,” the manifesto says.
The new legislation, all passed before the El Paso shooting took place, relaxes several gun-related restrictions. One bill prohibits school districts from making any rules against licensed gun owners storing a firearm in a locked vehicle while on campus, as long as the firearm is out of public sight.
Another removes some restrictions on how many armed marshals may patrol public and private school campuses at the request of each school’s governing body.
Qualifying foster homes are allowed to keep firearms and ammunition, as long as each is stored according to regulations. Landowners are prevented from making rules against licensed tenants carrying and storing firearms on rental property.
Another new law prevents licensed gun owners from receiving tickets for carrying their guns in public during a disaster. A final bill clarifies regulations on licensed handgun owners being able to carry their firearm in churches and other places of worship.
