U.S. LawShield®, the Legal Defense for Self-Defense industry leader, and its Independent Program Attorneys were instrumental in drafting the “Simplified Holster” (SB 550) bill. From the moment the 84th Legislature passed open carry in Texas, license to carry holders and law enforcement officials have confronted confusion regarding the holster requirements of open carry. As a result, Emily Taylor and Richard D. Hayes, U.S. LawShield Independent Program Attorneys, and Partners in Walker & Taylor, PLLC, drafted the “Simplified Holster” bill. With the help of Rachel Malone from Gun Owners of America, Texas State Representative Matt Schaefer, and Texas State Senator, Drew Springer, they filed the bill.

“When our Independent Program Attorneys recognized the confusing nature of open carry legislation in Texas and the risks it posed to law-abiding gun owners, they went above and beyond to fix the problem for U.S. LawShield members and all lawfully carrying Texans,” said P.J. Hermosa, CEO of U.S. LawShield. “Several of our Texas U.S. LawShield members who use wheelchairs reached out with concerns about not being able to carry in a traditional belt or shoulder holster due to the close confines of their chairs. We understood their concerns, and our attorneys immediately went to work on their behalf.”

According to Taylor, “we were concerned about the grey area in the open carry law that had the potential of getting good folks in trouble when open carrying. Specifically – what defines a belt holster? Does it include a drop leg holster or a cowboy rig? What is a shoulder holster? Does it include a pilot rig? What does it mean to “carry” in said holster? Must the holster be worn on your person while in a vehicle? Folks who require adaptive equipment like wheelchairs were understandably concerned and puzzled by the language,” she said.

SB 550 and HB 3628, filed in the 87(R) Legislative Session, “solve the problems, and answer the questions elegantly by simply removing the words “belt” and “shoulder” from all relevant sections of Texas law,” states Taylor.

SB 550 was sent to Governor Abbott’s desk on May 20, 2021, and he is expected to sign the bill. “Thus, LTC holders in Texas will be free to open carry in their vehicles as well as any other legally permissible place in any holster of their choosing,” Taylor said.

Rep. Schaefer included the language from SB 550 in Texas HB1927 - The Firearm Carry Act of 2021, otherwise known as “constitutional carry.” “When Governor Abbott signs constitutional carry in Texas this year, any Texan (or qualified visitor) legally carrying could do so openly in any holster of their choosing with or without an LTC,” concludes Taylor.

U.S. LawShield protects American gun owners with the expert knowledge needed to arm themselves legally. With its network of experienced Independent Program Attorneys, U.S. LawShield is the premier legal resource for gun owners.

Video testimony of U.S. LawShield Independent Program Attorney Emily Taylor discussing SB 550 begins at minute mark 1:04:46. Click here to watch.