Illinois Permit Holders To Carry Properly Licensed Weapons In Texas
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, Section 411.173(b) of the Government Code of the State of Texas directs that the governor shall negotiate an agreement with any other state that provides for the issuance of a license to carry a handgun under which a license issued by the other state is recognized in this state, or shall issue a proclamation that a license issued by the other state is recognized in this state, if the attorney general of the State of Texas determines that a background check of each applicant for a license issued by that state is initiated by state or local authorities or an agent of the state or local authorities before the license is issued; and
WHEREAS, Section 411.173(b) of the Government Code defines “background check” as a search of the National Crime Information Center database and the Interstate Identification Index maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
WHEREAS, the governor has received a statement of finding from the attorney general that the State of Illinois performs background checks and that those checks meet the requirements of Section 411.173(b) of the Government Code; and
WHEREAS, the State of Texas is therefore authorized to recognize a valid license to carry a handgun from the State of Illinois;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim that the State of Texas shall give full faith and credit to a valid license to carry a handgun issued by the State of Illinois as long as Illinois permit holders comply with all laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Texas governing the carrying of handguns, including age restrictions and types of weapons permitted.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 29th day of April, 2016.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
View a PDF of the Proclamation.