Guns

I generally prefer a more lighthearted approach to blogging - both in reading and writing - but some pending legislation in Texas has captured national attention.

Senate Bill 17
"The bill would amend various codes to authorize individuals to obtain a license to carry openly a holstered handgun in all the places that allow the licensed carrying of a concealed handgun. The bill would also amend the Government Code to authorize the Department of Public Safety to issue a license to carry an unconcealed holstered handgun, using the same criteria currently in place for a concealed handgun license."  (Feb. 11, 2015, Fiscal Note, 84th Legislative Regular Session).

The Texas Senate passed the bill on March 17, 2015,  and it is now being reviewed by a House committee.

Senate Bill 11
"The bill would amend the Government Code and Penal Code to authorize an individual possessing a valid concealed handgun license issued in the state of Texas to carry a concealed handgun on premises associated with certain public institutions of higher education. The bill would allow an institution of higher education to establish rules governing the storage of handguns in dormitories, and would stipulate an institution, officer, employee, peace officer or handgun instructor may not be held liable for damages or cause under the provisions of the bill."  (Feb. 13, 2015, Fiscal Note, 84th Legislative Regular Session).

The Texas Senate passed the bill on March 19, 2015, and it is now being reviewed by a House committee.

The likelihood of the imminent approval of both these bills causes my heart to beat faster, and, my response to anxiety--as always--is to research and arm myself (figuratively, not literally).  It's surprisingly difficult to find unbiased sources to research clear and current guns laws in the United States.

According to Internet lobbying organization, Open Carry (an undeniably biased source), Texas is one of only six states that currently prohibit Open Carry.  Prohibiting states are a diverse group including California, Illinois, Florida, New York, South Carolina and Washington D.C.  Proponents of Senate Bill 17 eagerly point out that the bill lets Texans exercise rights freely enjoyed by residents in the majority of the U.S.

Campus carry (SB 11) is more contentious with only three states specifically authorizing on-campus carry (Oregon, Utah and Colorado) and 23 states specifically prohibiting on-campus carry.

It makes me wonder, though.  I lived in Seattle for many years and visited Colorado last year.  My kids are still young, but I've never considered not letting them go to college in either of those places due to the gun laws.  Do people know the gun laws in their state?  Are Texas laws attracting attention because they are changing existing laws?  Or is this legislation attracting national attention because, well, everything is bigger in Texas?