A new video captures a Texas Democrat encouraging protest disruptions from the floor of the State House of Representatives last week. The video was taken moments before the now-famous confrontation between Republican Rep. Matt Rinaldi (R-Irving) and Hispanic Democrat legislators.
Conservatives, gun store owners, and Second Amendment activists are receiving “Christmas Cards” from anti-gun advocates that include graphic photos of victims who have received gunshots to the face. The Christmas card includes the Bible verse, “The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked. And the one who loves violence His soul hates.”
Lawmakers in Texas, Indiana, and South Dakota are in a race to make their respective state the 13th state to abolish a concealed carry permit requirement.
The Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Steve McCraw, was told during a Texas House committee investigatory hearing – “A lot of people are afraid of you guys.” The hearing was called in the wake of the arrest of Sandra Bland by a Texas DPS trooper. The comment came from staunch conservative State Representative Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford).
Two Texas State Senators and four State Representatives have been named to the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) “Hall of Shame” for their actions in the 84th Legislative Session. One of the Senators, two-time lose Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio), resigned at the beginning of the session to chase her political future down the drain.
Following more than five hours of debate which was interrupted for several points of order discussions and fights over parliamentary procedure, HB 910 passed its initial vote on the floor of the Texas House by a vote of 96-35. The bill will allow Texas who possess a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) to openly carry a handgun in a shoulder or belt holster. Eighteen amendments were offered to the bill by both Republicans and Democrats but only one amendment was passed.
The Texas Senate is expected to a bring pro-gun open carry bill to the floor for a vote as early as Monday. The move comes after the 60-day bill filing period ended on Friday. The Texas Legislature may now vote on and pass any bills. Before the first sixty days has passed, the Legislature may only approve bills on issues designated as “emergency items” by the Governor.
What started as a protest by pro-life Texas legislators on abortion provider Planned Parenthood’s Day at the Capitol revealed some tensions between Republican legislators as the 84th Legislative Session hits its stride.
About two hundred gun rights activists gathered on the south steps of the Texas Capitol to show support for expanding gun rights in Texas on Saturday. While much of the talk was about gun rights, many of the speakers used the word that Governor Greg Abbott used in his State of the State address this week when he said, “Let me briefly follow up on a word I mentioned a moment ago – liberty. In a single word, it encapsulates what this country stands for, what Texas symbolizes. I will expand liberty in Texas by signing a law that makes Texas the 45th state to allow open carry.”
