Texas Observer: In Gun Debate, Texas House Goes Off Half-Cocked

Written for The Texas Observer legislative blog "Floor Pass."

In the wake of Sandy Hook and other gun tragedies, many state legislatures are passing stricter gun regulations. But not in Texas.

The Texas House took a step in the other direction Saturday afternoon, tentatively passing all but one of the 15 gun bills on its agenda. The message from the House was clear: the Legislature wants more Texans to pack heat.

Despite some controversy, all the bills were rushed along through voice votes so members could catch the last legs of the Kentucky Derby. (Speaker Joe Straus tweeted that he was drinking a mint julep at the podium.)

The bills would drop concealed handgun licensing (CHL) classes from 10 hours down to six, allow public schools to hire armed public-school marshals, and lower the CHL renewal fee for members of the international, national and state guard, and for state-employed correction officers.

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