Texas Senate Approves Open Carry — and Gov. Greg Abbott Is 'Warming Up' His 'Signing Pen\

The Texas Senate on Monday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would allow open carry in the Lone Star State.

Senate Bill 17 makes open carry legal for gun owners with legal concealed carry permits. Senators voted 20-11 to approve the bill for a final vote. It was a straight party line vote that pitted Republicans against Democrats.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made it clear that he will sign an open carry bill if it is sent to his desk.

I'm warming up my signing pen: Texas Legislature Ready to Move Forward on Open Carry Bill https://t.co/cJJfbmgE87 #tcot #txlege @NRA

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 16, 2015

KVUE-TV reports that senators “approved four amendments including delaying implementation until 2016, banning open carry on college campuses and two that would require more advanced training for police and license holders.”

The open carry bill will receive a final vote on Tuesday and is expected to pass. The legislation will then be sent to the Texas House for final approval before heading to Abbott’s desk.

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