Lawmakers close to approving open carry legislation

The Texas House took a second shot at the controversial gun legislation known as open carry and passed it Friday.

Lawmakers debated for most of the day with several attempts to derail the legislation by opponents.

The measure won approval shortly after 5:00 on a 96 to 35 vote.

Republican Larry Phillips of Sherman who sponsored HB910 said Texas is one of only six states in the nation to ban open carry and making it legal now will not cause a safety issue.

"I don't think this is as big of an issue as people think, I mean as far as dramatic. I think Texans are going to be respectful of each other, I have great faith in Texans I have great faith in Texas gun owners, I don't think you are going to see that many people open carry," he said.

After one more procedural vote the house bill will go to the State Senate which has already passed an open carry bill.

Once the differences are worked out it will go to Governor Abbott who has already said he will sign it.