gun control

Pamerleau Says Gun Control Debate Should Focus On Mental Illness

Ryan Loyd — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:03:08 +0000

From the senseless deaths of children in Newtown, Connecticut at Sandy Hook Elementary, to the movie theater massacre in Aurora, Colorado, high-profile tragedies involving guns never cease to shock people across the nation.

The debate has sparked dialogue on whether the problem is guns, or the people behind them.

Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said she believes mental illness is an issue that needs to be thoroughly examined.

Lawmakers Begin Filing Bills For Special Session Consideration

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 29 May 2013 16:27:18 +0000

The first non-redistricting bills have begun to trickle in at the state capitol for the special session.

So far none of the legislation has been placed on the special session agenda by Gov. Rick Perry, but the first bill unrelated to the focus of redistricting was filed by Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands.

Toth's bill was modeled after a bill filed in the regular session that makes it a crime to enforce any new federal guns laws.

CHL Campus-Carry Bill Dies In Senate, But The Fight Isn't Over Yet

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:46:03 +0000

Lawmakers at the capitol have approved a measure to train public school teachers to respond during a mass-shooting event and let die a bill to allow concealed-handgun license holders to carry guns on a college campus.

As the first of its kinds, House Bill 1009 provides volunteer school teachers with the same level of training as a police officers who respond to a mass-shooting scenario.

Bill To Prohibit Enforcement Of Federal Gun Laws Dies In Senate

Ryan Poppe — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:14:32 +0000

House Bill 928 would criminalize any police officer enforcing a new federal gun law in the state of Texas, and it immediately struck tensions between Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston.

"I could be for this if you take an amendment I’m going to offer to your bill," said Ellis. "I’m going to offer an amendment to close the 'gun show loophole.'"

Campus-Carry Bill Heads To Full Senate Vote

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:48:06 +0000

After making its way through the Texas House, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved a bill that allows students and faculty to carry a handgun to class.

The Source: New Gun Legislation At The State Capitol

Paul Flahive — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:23:34 +0000

In the first segment:

A pro-gun rally was held this past Saturday outside the statehouse in Austin, complete with a faux Paul Revere, while inside a stack of firearm-related house a bills were debated and voted on.

How An Ex-Con Can Carry An Assault Rifle And Claim Self-Defense

Ryan Poppe — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:45:00 +0000

Under certain circumstances, people convicted of felony offenses can currently use self-defense as the justification for shooting someone, but that could soon change.

A bill authored by Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, would prohibit convicted felons from being able use such a defense in court.

Weekend Recap: Texas Is Well Armed And Ready For Action

Ryan Poppe — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:54:52 +0000

Lawmakers came out of "O.K. Corral Day" sending a clear message as over 95 percent of all gun bills heard during House’s first working Saturday were approved.

First Working Weekend For House Turning Into "O.K. Corral Day"

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:21:52 +0000

The Texas House is gearing up for their first working weekend and there are 15 gun bills scheduled for discussion and possible vote. Some lawmakers are also referring to it as "Survivalist Saturday."

Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Canton, sat down to discuss some of the bills, including his own that reduces the amount of training required for a concealed handgun

Senate Dials Down Concealed Carry On Campus: Maybe Just In A Student's Car?

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:53:45 +0000

The chairman for the Senate’s Criminal Jurisprudence Committee said lawmakers need a cooling off period when it comes to the debate over a full campus-carry gun bill.