"A well regulated militia being necessary for a free state." That is definitely up for interpretation, at least in my mind.
And the right to bear arms is not a God-given right. Can't find that in the Bible anywhere.
With that being said, and I know many or most on this forum are already seething with rage if they have read this far, I am not a fan of unlicensed carry in Texas. The current system works well. Very well in my mind. Carry permit holders, as a class, are the most law-abiding group of citizens in the state statistically. When I encounter an open carry person, it is highly likely in my mind that the person has passed a couple of background checks when he bought his/her firearm and when he/her obtained their carry permit and likely a few times in between. Of course there is not guarantee of such or that the person is legally carrying his firearm on his hip. But I will imagine or hope for the better.
The founding fathers made it very clear the meaning and intent of the 2nd amendment. please read the Federalist papers. The Bill of rights/Constitution do not grant our rights, nor does man or government. Our rights, are unalienable and inherent. Another issue I have is having to pay for a right. Pay for finger printing, pay for permit, pay for classes, and using my free time to take a class. What other right do we have where we pay for a permit or classes? Voting? 1st amendment? Its not fair for those who cannot go through the class. Disabled, elderly. My wife, can shoot very well, but due to heart condition cannot make it through a class due to stanima issues. but she should be allowed to carry when she goes somewhere...also, situations may crop up unexpectedly such as an ex husband, boyfriend, stalker, and there may not be time to wait....Just because the system works, doesn't make it good. Honestly, the classes are a joke and in no way qualify as training. We can already carry long guns now, but you do not mention that...where do you stand on that out of curiosity? If this does not pass, I would like to see en masse people carry their long guns. Ar-15's , 30-30's, 30-o6, .50 cals. I came from mississippi, there have been zero issues from this law, as well as the other 20 states. no issues. Remember, the bad guys are already carrying their firearms, no training, no permit and no background check.
Dear I support the 2nd Amendment - Butt.
You do realize, of course you do, that most mass shootings in recent history were carried out with legally acquired firearms - Right? Sooooo... what's that leave us with? I'm thinking a criminal carried out the shootings - not the gun. It's a pretty well documented fact that criminals aren't really concerned with laws, well until they get caught anyway. And most not even then.
LTC class range time was never intended to be firearms training... Competency qualification.