Amid a surge in violence all over the country, Texas opted to pass a permitless carry bill.

Unsurprisingly, some people are less than thrilled. They wanted Texas to move in the opposite direction with regard to gun control, possibly eliminating concealed carry entirely.

Regardless, permitless carry is here and will become the law in a couple of days. Some are really making their displeasure known, though they’re also spouting a lot of nonsense.

Texas law enforcement opposed passage of House Bill 1927, the new law in Texas that allows people to start carrying a handgun in public without a permit. The law goes into effect Wednesday, Sept. 1.

There’s a new phrase in the lexicon to describe the latest “gun right.” It’s called “permitless carry,” wording that conveniently omits the word “gun” or “firearm.” Pro-gun groups call it “Constitutional Carry.”

Yes, the word “gun” isn’t included. Nor was it included in the phrases “concealed carry” or “open carry.” It’s implied. After all, what the hell do you think we’re talking about carrying here? Groceries?

The lack of the words “gun” or “firearms” aren’t some rhetorical sleight of hand. Especially since everyone knows what we’re talking about here. We’re pretty upfront that what we’re talking about is carrying a gun.

But the writer here would have you believe that this is really a trick, a way to make you think someone may have voted for this thinking it meant something else entirely when absolutely no one was oblivious to what this was about.

What is patriotic about more people carrying guns into public places?

First, the phrase “constitutional carry” doesn’t imply patriotism in and of itself. It’s simply a commentary on the fact that the Second Amendment says that our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. By removing permitting requirements, Texas has taken a step toward removing infringements on that right.

If you want to call that patriotism or not is up to you, but following the supreme law of the land doesn’t require patriotic fervor.

But if you wanted to make the case that carrying guns in public places is patriotic, you could. After all, it’s something that only Americans get to do in any real numbers.

It seems odd at first glance that Republican leaders who aggressively pushed for the further loosening of the state’s gun laws would act despite the near-universal opposition of police chiefs, sheriffs, and others who spoke out against the legislation and tend to be politically conservative.

On the other hand, anytime politicians can claim to be defending the Second Amendment issue, no matter how cynical that play may be, they are animating hard-right Republican primary voters.

Responsible law enforcement leaders, sadly, are no match for Republican primary voters when it comes to how elected officials set their priorities. Self-interest, unfortunately, trumps the public interest.

First, many of those police chiefs and sheriffs come from larger cities where gun control is popular, so of course, they’re going to be ignored. Others are operating under a misunderstanding that this will somehow make their jobs more difficult. To be sure, there is a learning curve. You can’t see someone with a gun and demand a permit anymore, of course.

But if you suspect someone is carrying when they shouldn’t, you can still check to see if they have any felony convictions. If so, they’re still going to prison.

Yet not all departments want or are ready to make those adjustments.

While Republicans may support law enforcement, that doesn’t mean they’re going to destroy people’s rights just to appease them.

“You could say that I signed into law today some laws that protect gun rights,” Abbott was quoted as saying as he signed the bill into law in June. “But today, I signed documents that instilled freedom in the Lone Star State.”

I do not feel freer as Sept. 1 approaches, Governor. I feel dread. We already see the effect of gunplay in this state in road rage incidents, late night/early morning shootouts at bars by alcohol-fueled patrons, and the terrible outcomes when mentally disturbed individuals can gettheir hands on guns. What happens when protestors line up against one another, and tempers flare?

Oh, you feel dread. It’s a good thing your feelings don’t count for crap. A lot of people do feel freer as the law goes into effect.

In part, they feel freer because of those road rage incidents, shootouts at bars, and mentally disturbed individuals getting their hands on guns. They feel freer because they don’t have to jump through all those hoops just to get a permit and be able to meet the threats that may present themselves.

And as for what happens when protestors line up against one another and tempers flare? Well, if everyone suspects everyone else is carrying, not much. While there could be exceptions, to be fair, most people will keep their cool because they know what happens if they pull the trigger.

But that doesn’t factor into the fear-mongering that the media has enjoyed doing over the years.