Gun Control to be a Big Issue in the 83rd Legislative Session
The following is a digest of an article originally appearing at the Texas Tribune. Lara Keel is running this summary as a public service for all Texas legislators involved in the 83rd Texas legislative session, other lobbyists, political consultants, and other interested parties.
The tragic shooting at Sandy Hook has brought the topic of gun control to the table. Many concerned Representatives and citizens are calling for stricter gun control. It’s safe to say that this is not the majority sentiment in Texas. President Obama’s proposed assault weapon and high capacity magazine ban have been labeled by many as “unconstitutional”. Many believe that a weapons ban is not the answer for preventing another mass shooting, and that it punishes law abiding and responsible gun owners. President Obama is also proposing that all gun sales require background checks. This concerns the “gun show loophole”, where many who might not pass legal requirements are able to obtain firearms.
Like many Texas Representatives, Governor Rick Perry is very much opposed to the weapons ban proposition.
“’The piling on by the political left, and their cohorts in the media, to use the massacre of little children to advance a pre-existing political agenda that would not have saved those children, disgusts me, personally,’”
Perry said in a statement, referring to the school shooting in Newtown, Conn.” With the 83rd Texas Legislative session just starting, it will be interesting to see what action the state takes regarding second amendment control and policy.
Read the original article here.
