AUSTIN, Texas — The House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety wants to take the concealed part out of concealed handgun licenses.
The committee voted 5-3 in favor of a bill that would remove the word concealed from the law that allows Texans to have a handgun license. The so-called "open carry" law would allow license holders to carry their weapons in plain view wherever they would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun. The rules for getting a license would not change.
Texarkana state Rep. George Lavender authored the bill that was approved Wednesday. In a committee hearing last week, advocates said the law would deter crime. Opponents warned it would create a dangerous and intimidating climate in densely populated cities.
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
Link.
Apr 21, 2011
Apr 17, 2011
Texas legislators seek expanded gun rights for themselves
State lawmakers could soon gain the right to carry concealed handguns where other Texans may not -- such as in bars, hospitals, schools and churches and at sporting events and amusement parks.
Measures pending in the Legislature would give state officials the right to carry guns in those places. And some lawmakers say the change is necessary in the wake of the Arizona shooting this year that left several dead and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords fighting for her life.
Measures pending in the Legislature would give state officials the right to carry guns in those places. And some lawmakers say the change is necessary in the wake of the Arizona shooting this year that left several dead and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords fighting for her life.
Apr 14, 2011
Lawmakers could carry handguns to most locations under bill.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee voted Wednesday to let legislators, statewide elected officials and U.S. attorneys carry concealed handguns to locations that are off limits to most concealed handgun licensees. A bill approved by the panel would let those government officials pack concealed weapons at sporting events, and in churches, hospitals and bars - even in businesses that have a policy prohibiting persons from carrying handguns onto their premises.
Apr 13, 2011
Man With a Gun: Too Far? New Anti-Gun Ad Features Man Shooting Sil...
Man With a Gun: Too Far? New Anti-Gun Ad Features Man Shooting Sil...: "As of this posting, 2,794 (98.07%) people poled think the Brady's latest 'Assault clip' video is distasteful. 55 people (1.93%) disagree L..."
Campus-carry bill, Michelle Obama visit collide
First lady Michelle Obama’s visit this afternoon to San Antonio has caused a flap in the Texas Senate.
According to senators, Sens. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, and Royce West, D-Dallas, asked for permission to leave for a few hours to attend an event in the Alamo City with the first lady to highlight Texas’ contributions to America’s continued military readiness.
Then, realizing that two “no” votes on the campus-carry concealed handgun bill would be gone, Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, moved to call up his bill in their absence.
According to senators, Sens. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, and Royce West, D-Dallas, asked for permission to leave for a few hours to attend an event in the Alamo City with the first lady to highlight Texas’ contributions to America’s continued military readiness.
Then, realizing that two “no” votes on the campus-carry concealed handgun bill would be gone, Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, moved to call up his bill in their absence.
Apr 12, 2011
Let's ban "Assault clips..." whatever they are.
The Brady Campaign publicly flaunts its ignorance once again by confusing clips for magazines. The levels of misleading propaganda here are revolting:
Apr 11, 2011
Wentworth Searching for Votes for Campus Carry Bill
State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, hoped to bring up his bill today that would allow some individuals to carry concealed handguns on college and university campuses, following a false start on Thursday. But the search for votes is proving more difficult than anticipated.
Texas Senate rules require the consent of 21 members to suspend the rules and bring a bill up for debate. When Wentworth tried to bring the bill up for consideration last week, he thought he had the support of 22 members. But after debate got under way, state Sens. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, and Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, withdrew their support, leaving Wentworth — who described the move as a "complete surprise" — one vote short.
Texas Senate rules require the consent of 21 members to suspend the rules and bring a bill up for debate. When Wentworth tried to bring the bill up for consideration last week, he thought he had the support of 22 members. But after debate got under way, state Sens. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, and Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, withdrew their support, leaving Wentworth — who described the move as a "complete surprise" — one vote short.
Attention A&M students!
Texas Campus Carry
The following is an alert sent out by Texas A&M University Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Senator Steve Ogden is our local state senator and his remarks on the senate floor today do not represent the staff and students at A&M.
Dear TAMU SCCC Members:
Earlier today, Senator Steve Ogden (our State Senator for Bryan/College Station) said on the floor of the Texas Senate that he doesn’t believe Aggies want campus carry at Texas A&M.
We need you to tell him that he’s wrong.
The following is an alert sent out by Texas A&M University Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Senator Steve Ogden is our local state senator and his remarks on the senate floor today do not represent the staff and students at A&M.
Dear TAMU SCCC Members:
Earlier today, Senator Steve Ogden (our State Senator for Bryan/College Station) said on the floor of the Texas Senate that he doesn’t believe Aggies want campus carry at Texas A&M.
We need you to tell him that he’s wrong.
Recent gun scare on campus reignites concealed carry issue.
“I can’t believe this is happening again.”
This was the first thought that occurred to English senior Allison Cunningham after she read a text message from the University of Texas Alert system on Monday saying there was a male spotted with two guns on campus.
This was the first thought that occurred to English senior Allison Cunningham after she read a text message from the University of Texas Alert system on Monday saying there was a male spotted with two guns on campus.
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