Tuesday evening updates:
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A technicality House Democrats raised Tuesday succeeded in stalling _ at least for a few days _ two of the Texas Legislature’s top conservative causes, proposals that would allow the “open carry” of handguns and prohibit local ordinances banning hydraulic fracturing.
With Republicans controlling the Legislature and widely supporting both measures, outnumbered Democrats often resort to delay tactics, betting that the longer it takes to pass bills they oppose, the less total such proposals become law.
Legislators had braced for hours-long debate on both issues. But just a few minutes into discussion on the bill authorizing licensed Texans to carry their handguns holstered or otherwise in plain sight, Democratic Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer objected, citing House rules. He argued that three witnesses who testified on the bills while they were still in committee were incorrectly recorded in the official record.
Republicans convened immediate committee meetings to advance corrected versions of the bills. Both now will be eligible to return to the floor on Friday, though the exact timing hasn’t yet been set.
Martinez Fischer, of San Antonio, said afterward of open carry that his “aim was to confront that piece of legislation by any means possible.”
Its sponsor, Sherman Republican Rep. Larry Phillips, called the error a “procedural glitch” that occurred because the committee was hearing two bills at once.
Martinez Fischer’s efforts succeeded in derailing a House vote to overturn Texas’ post-Civil War ban on the open carry of handguns _ as the state strides toward becoming America’s largest to legalize the practice.
A similar measure already cleared the Senate. More than 800,000 state residents have concealed handgun licenses.
Phillips, who noted the measure still has 80-plus House co-sponsors, said approval would still come as quickly as possible.
“When they don’t have the votes,” he said of Martinez Fischer’s maneuver, “they look for every other way to kill it.”
Original stories:
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A bill overturning the Texas post-Civil War ban on the open carry of handguns is poised to clear the Legislature, making the state America’s largest to legalize wearing weapons in plain sight.
The Texas House plans to debate and approve the change Tuesday. A similar measure passed the state Senate, clearing the way for the governor to sign it into law.
The Texas love affair with guns is such that those with concealed handgun licenses can bypass metal detectors at the state Capitol. Security assumes they’re armed.
Texas is just one of six states that don’t already allow license holders to wear guns holstered or otherwise visible.
With 82 mostly Republican House co-sponsors, the vote won’t be a surprise but it still marks a major victory for gun rights advocates.
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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The Texas Legislature is poised to take a major step toward wiping out a highly-publicized local ban on hydraulic fracturing approved by a college town near Dallas _ and ensuring that other communities don’t follow suit.
San Angelo Republican Rep. Drew Darby’s bill is poised for House debate and approval Tuesday.
His is one of 11 proposals seeking to limit local restrictions on oil and gas exploration after Denton voters in November banned fracking in their town’s territory.
Under pressure from municipal lobbies, Darby softened his original bill to allow local ordinances regulating things like noise associated with oil and gas activity. But it nonetheless bans fracking bans.
Opponents argue that Republicans backing the proposal _ who usually decry government overreach _ shouldn’t supersede the will of local voters.