cuchulainn
March 3, 2003, 08:57 AM
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7221778&BRD=1426&PAG=461&dept_id=186027&rfi=6
from the Plano Star Courier
City officials oppose legislation to loosen concealed-handgun rules
By PAUL MEYER , Staff writer 03/02/2003
Legislation to allow concealed handguns in government buildings and other public places has drawn fire from Mayor Pat Evans and city officials who fear the prospect of guns in city hall.
"This is a serious concern that could have a significant effect on citizens," Evans said Thursday. "It's being greased through the Legislature, and it would mean we couldn't ban guns in city council meetings, libraries, recreation centers and other public buildings."
The house bill, sponsored by Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, R-Lampasas, is backed by state and national pro-gun groups with a powerful lobbying presence in Austin.
The bill won approval Tuesday from the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and appears headed for a House vote within a month.
The Texas Municipal League, which represents more than 1,000 Texas cities, has voiced strong opposition to the legislation.
"We believe that the city should have same ability as private property owners to prohibit guns coming into our buildings," said Frank Turner, an assistant city manager and one of Plano's two legislative coordinators.
"This is a general public safety issue. Anytime weapons are available and there's and opportunity for heated exchange, you heighten the risk of an incident."
Despite the city's concerns, Plano's two state representatives expressed general support for the bill on Friday.
"Generally I support any of the concealed carry rights of individuals and will continue to do that," Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Plano said. "We certainly believe that there are strict controls on who has concealed carry licenses, and we're quite confident that, with (the) background checks we have, security won't be a major concern."
Rep. Brian McCall, R- Plano said he expects the bill to pass with reasonable ease.
"I don't imagine problems with the bill's passage in the House," McCall said. "Those with licenses are all law-abiding citizens, and we should be more concerned about those who don't have a license than those who do."
Last month, the Brady Campaign, one of the largest national gun-control lobbying groups, gave Texas a "D-" in its annual report card for states, saying it is "among the worst states in the country at protecting its children from gun violence."
The group is led by former White House official James Brady who was wounded and disabled during a March 3, 1981, assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley.
Evans also said that removing city control over its firearm ordinances would undermine its ongoing efforts to bolster security.
"This is an issue of having local control," Evans said. "Here we are worrying about all sorts of security things associated with homeland security, and the Legislature is thinking about telling us to allow guns in our buildings."
Contact Paul Meyer at 972-398-4266 or meyerp@dfwcn.com.
©Plano Star Courier 2003
from the Plano Star Courier
City officials oppose legislation to loosen concealed-handgun rules
By PAUL MEYER , Staff writer 03/02/2003
Legislation to allow concealed handguns in government buildings and other public places has drawn fire from Mayor Pat Evans and city officials who fear the prospect of guns in city hall.
"This is a serious concern that could have a significant effect on citizens," Evans said Thursday. "It's being greased through the Legislature, and it would mean we couldn't ban guns in city council meetings, libraries, recreation centers and other public buildings."
The house bill, sponsored by Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, R-Lampasas, is backed by state and national pro-gun groups with a powerful lobbying presence in Austin.
The bill won approval Tuesday from the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and appears headed for a House vote within a month.
The Texas Municipal League, which represents more than 1,000 Texas cities, has voiced strong opposition to the legislation.
"We believe that the city should have same ability as private property owners to prohibit guns coming into our buildings," said Frank Turner, an assistant city manager and one of Plano's two legislative coordinators.
"This is a general public safety issue. Anytime weapons are available and there's and opportunity for heated exchange, you heighten the risk of an incident."
Despite the city's concerns, Plano's two state representatives expressed general support for the bill on Friday.
"Generally I support any of the concealed carry rights of individuals and will continue to do that," Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Plano said. "We certainly believe that there are strict controls on who has concealed carry licenses, and we're quite confident that, with (the) background checks we have, security won't be a major concern."
Rep. Brian McCall, R- Plano said he expects the bill to pass with reasonable ease.
"I don't imagine problems with the bill's passage in the House," McCall said. "Those with licenses are all law-abiding citizens, and we should be more concerned about those who don't have a license than those who do."
Last month, the Brady Campaign, one of the largest national gun-control lobbying groups, gave Texas a "D-" in its annual report card for states, saying it is "among the worst states in the country at protecting its children from gun violence."
The group is led by former White House official James Brady who was wounded and disabled during a March 3, 1981, assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley.
Evans also said that removing city control over its firearm ordinances would undermine its ongoing efforts to bolster security.
"This is an issue of having local control," Evans said. "Here we are worrying about all sorts of security things associated with homeland security, and the Legislature is thinking about telling us to allow guns in our buildings."
Contact Paul Meyer at 972-398-4266 or meyerp@dfwcn.com.
©Plano Star Courier 2003