Texas Senate tries again to revive constitutional carry gun bill
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AUSTIN, TX - JANUARY 1: Two women compare handgun holsters during an open carry rally at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas. On January 1, 2016, the open carry law took effect in Texas, and 2nd Amendment activists held an open carry rally at the Texas state capitol on January 1, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)Erich Schlegel, Stringer / Getty Images
Despite stiff opposition from many in law enforcement, the Texas Senate took a step Thursday
toward passing a bill that would allow people to carry handguns without a permit.
A Texas Senate committee on Thursday advanced a bill that would Texans to carry handguns in public without a permit. Credit: Evan L Roy/The Texas Tribune
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A Texas bill that would allow people to carry handguns without a permit quickly sailed Thursday out of a state Senate committee recently created to specifically tackle the legislation.
The move marks a significant step for the controversial proposal that for years struggled to gain momentum in either chamber of the Texas Legislature. But it remains to be seen whether the measure already passed by the Texas House has enough support to make it out of the Senate and to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott.
Houston mayor will announce implementation of police reform task force recommendations
Members of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration tell KHOU 11 Chief Troy Finner will also announce policies on the release of police body camera video. Author: Adam Bennett Updated: 6:14 PM CDT April 28, 2021
HOUSTON On Thursday, Houston’s mayor plans to announce the implementation of key recommendations from his task force on policing reform.
Members of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration tell KHOU 11 that Chief Troy Finner will also announce policies on the release of police body camera video.
Mayor Turner created the task force in June 2020 following calls from the community for accountability and transparency.
Bill to allow Texans to carry handguns without a license steaming toward Senate floor vote
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he wants to tweak the bill in the hopes of addressing law enforcement concerns.
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick speaks with Texas Public Policy Foundation Executive Director Kevin Roberts (not pictured) during the Policy Orientation Opening Keynote Conversation at the AT&T Conference Center in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. (Lynda M. González/The Dallas Morning News)(Lynda M. Gonzalez / Staff Photographer)
5:24 PM on Apr 29, 2021 CDT
AUSTIN Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick promised Thursday to bring contentious legislation to the Senate floor next week that would let people carry handguns without a license and training, though he’s pressing for changes favored by law enforcement.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Donald Dahl, who’s been paying National Rifle Association dues since 1967, shuffled through the rotunda away from the House chamber at the Texas Capitol on April 15. That day was a long time coming for the mechanic and self-described “heavy-duty activist” from Round Rock, the Austin suburb. He had spent fifteen years hounding state lawmakers to expand gun rights. Like many grassroots Second Amendment enthusiasts, he couldn’t understand why Texas wasn’t one of the eighteen states that allowed citizens to carry a gun without a license or training. But finally, after years of campaigning on behalf of challengers to “wishy-washy” Republicans who never seemed to take up his cause, Dahl was relieved when the Texas House passed “permitless carry” on a 84–56 vote.