Starting Sept. 1, eligible Texans over 21 years old will no longer need a license to carry a handgun, concealed or openly.

In mid-June, Governor Greg Abbott signed a host of gun-related bills, including House Bill 1927 that will waive the license and training requirement for citizens not otherwise prohibited from purchasing firearms like people with domestic violence or felony convictions.

Local law enforcement leaders said the start of next month may bring some changes but their departments are prepared for them.

Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes said, “The Austin County Sheriff’s Office will enforce the laws of the State of Texas.”

Sealy Police Chief Jay Reeves said earlier this week the department has been briefed on the new law but until there are precedents set, they will take each case as it comes.

“We’ve talked to our officers about it and made sure that they understand new laws,” Reeves said Monday. “They’ll deal with it as it comes, it’s legal for citizens to carry so every case is going to be handled on an individual basis.”

Reeves said with a possible influx of carrying citizens, law enforcement officers could be dealing with citizens they don’t know are carrying.

“Now we understand that we can be dealing with someone that could be concealing a weapon at any time and we don’t know,” Reeves said. “We assume that most people carrying a weapon are going to be upholding the law.”

If the interaction happens in the form of a traffic stop, the chief said it’s always a good practice to inform responding individuals of any weapons in the car.

“If someone’s pulled over, it’s always a good idea to let law enforcement know that there is either a weapon on you or in the vehicle,” Reeves said. “It’s not that we’re going to take it from you, but it’s just for you to notify us that you have one on you. We just ask you give us a heads up you’ve got a gun and everything will be fine.”

For citizens who might be new to gun ownership, Reeves suggested a sustainable carrying option.

“If you’re going to carry a weapon, you need to make sure the holster you’re carrying it in is secure, that it’s not going to fall off you and something that is secure to your body,” Reeves said.