Hundreds of handguns and rifles for sale at McBride’s Gun’s in Central Austin on April 20, 2021. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. With political pressure mounting, the Texas Senate is searching for a way to advance a measure allowing the permitless carry of handguns, even as support for it across the upper chamber remains in doubt. The Senate has been feeling the heat since the House approved what supporters have dubbed a "constitutional carry" proposal last week, a breakthrough for gun rights activists who have come up much shorter in previous sessions. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick quickly slowed momentum for the proposal Monday, however, saying there were not enough votes in the Senate for House Bill 1927 — but that he would see if there is a way to get there.