Gun safety volunteers mobilize ahead of new permitless carry bill

by | Sep 1, 2021 | Gun violence, News

Equipped with their trademark red t-shirts, volunteers with the gun safety organization Moms Demand Action have been hitting the pavement to talk with people around the state. These volunteers aren’t advocating for legislation or a candidate, instead they are working with business owners to post new signs for stores ahead of an extreme new gun bill in Texas.

Starting today, permitless carry goes into effect in Texas. It’s one of more than 600 new laws set to impact the state. Abbott signed HB 1927 in June, and it allows anyone in the state of Texas who is over 21 years old to carry a handgun in public without a permit.  

Norri Leder is a volunteer with the Dallas chapter of Moms Demand Action who has been active in the campaign to prepare businesses for the new permitless carry law. She spoke to Texas Signal about the endeavor.

“We are working very hard throughout the entire state to make sure businesses know that they can prohibit this, that they have agency over their premises for the sake of public safety,” said Leder. She noted that many businesses have been thankful for the volunteer effort. “It’s not a difficult discussion to have,” continued Leder. According to Leder, several stores were already aware of the new law and were planning on posting new signs.

Moms Demand Action has tried to make it as easy as possible for businesses interested in prohibiting guns without a permit on their premises. There are links on their website to download or send to a printer. Currently, Texas is the only state in the nation that requires a sign to prohibit guns on private property.

Still, it’s another ordeal for businesses that have weathered nearly a year and a half of uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s another slap in the face to business owners,” added Leder.

Polling from Moms Demand Action shows that 81 percent of Texans support the previous permitting system. Law enforcement officers were also vocal in their opposition to permitless carry. “It’s really maddening to watch them do this and disregard what everyday Texans want and what responsible gun owners want,” said Leder.

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A longtime writer and journalist, Jessica was thrilled to join the Texas Signal where she could utilize her unique perspective on politics and culture. As the Features and Opinion Editor, she is responsible for coordinating editorials and segments from diverse authors. She is also the host of the podcast the Tex Mix, as well as the co-host for the weekly SignalCast. Jessica attended Harvard College, is a onetime fitness blogger, and has now transitioned to recreational runner (for which her joints are thankful).

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