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Lawmakers defend right to bear arms at work
2/17/2009 8:45 PM
By: Catie Beck
It's a known fact among state lawmakers that some of their colleagues carry guns at the Capitol. Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) supports the concept and also supports an open-carry law.
"It's a matter of safety for the members of the House," Riddle said.
Any citizen with a permit has similar rights at the Capitol.
"A citizen carrying a concealed weapon with a permit can come in to the Capitol and walk around and visit legislators at their offices," Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) said.
Capitol Security
News 8 Austin's Catie Beck asks lawmakers about state Capitol rules on guns, and why they're different for elected officials.
Citizens may be allowed to carry guns on to Capitol grounds, but their privileges are not the same as legislators. Members can and do carry guns on to the House and Senate floors, without restrictions. Citizens who visit those areas by way of the gallery have to pass through a metal detector and cannot enter with a gun.[/align]
"I don't think that people who have a permit to carry a concealed weapon should be restricted from bringing a gun in to the gallery," Hinojosa said.
Citizens who visit those areas by way of the gallery have to pass through a metal detector.
Riddle disagrees and said it's because the Department of Public Safety guards know the lawmakers but typically don't know the public.
"The difference is pretty elementary...we are well known," Riddle said.
The state spent about $3 million last fall to put barricades in place to prevent unauthorized vehicles from getting too close to the Capitol, but many are wondering how much safer that's actually making things on the inside.
Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii are among other states that allow guns on Capitol grounds because they are considered "public places." Nevada leaves the decision up to directors of public buildings.
"The big challenge for DPS is not protecting against someone with a handgun, it's someone who comes in and wants to blow people up," Chairman of the House Administration Committee Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) said.
Geren also said screening the public serves a purpose, but he's not in favor of the metal detectors.
"I'm thinking these will probably be there until the end of session and then we will relook at the policy," Geren said.
Video: http://www.news8austin.com/shared/video/video_pop.asp?destlist=62281
Print: http://www.news8austin.com/shared/video/video_pop.asp?destlist=62281
[align=left]
Lawmakers defend right to bear arms at work
2/17/2009 8:45 PM
By: Catie Beck
"It's a matter of safety for the members of the House," Riddle said.
Any citizen with a permit has similar rights at the Capitol.
"A citizen carrying a concealed weapon with a permit can come in to the Capitol and walk around and visit legislators at their offices," Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) said.
Capitol Security
News 8 Austin's Catie Beck asks lawmakers about state Capitol rules on guns, and why they're different for elected officials.
"I don't think that people who have a permit to carry a concealed weapon should be restricted from bringing a gun in to the gallery," Hinojosa said.
Citizens who visit those areas by way of the gallery have to pass through a metal detector.
"The difference is pretty elementary...we are well known," Riddle said.
The state spent about $3 million last fall to put barricades in place to prevent unauthorized vehicles from getting too close to the Capitol, but many are wondering how much safer that's actually making things on the inside.
Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii are among other states that allow guns on Capitol grounds because they are considered "public places." Nevada leaves the decision up to directors of public buildings.
Geren also said screening the public serves a purpose, but he's not in favor of the metal detectors.
"I'm thinking these will probably be there until the end of session and then we will relook at the policy," Geren said.