Austin Interim Police Chief speaks out against constitutional carry law

Texas police chiefs speak at Texas Capitol

Austin Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon and other police chiefs provide remarks on permitless carry.

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin’s Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon has spoken out against a bill to allow Texans to carry handguns in public without a license or permit.

Chacon was at the Texas Capitol and gave remarks alongside other Texas police chiefs. They voiced their opposition to the bill, which proponents call "constitutional carry."

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Austin’s Interim Police Chief speaking out constitutional carry law

Austin’s Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon will speak out Thursday morning about a bill to allow Texans to carry handguns in public without a license or permit. FOX 7 Austin's John Krinjak has details.

Several chiefs and police associations from across the state have already come out against it—including chiefs in Dallas and San Marcos. Chacon has yet to weigh in officially, but he was present at a rally against the bill earlier this month. Many chiefs say if this legislation passes, it would make officers’ jobs even more difficult.

But as police try to pump the brakes on permitless carry, it’s getting the green light from Gov. Greg Abbott. After being mum about his position so far, on a North Texas radio show Wednesday Abbott said he would sign the bill. 20 other states have already adopted similar laws.

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