Texas Senate approves bill allowing Texans to carry guns for week after natural disasters

[sandensea]

Source: Fox News

The Texas Senate on Sunday approved a bill that would allow any Texan who can legally own a firearm to be able to carry it either open or concealed for seven days after the state declares a natural disaster, The Dallas Morning News reported.

The bill, which was narrowly passed 16-15, has been hotly contested. Three Republicans voted against the measure, including Sen. Joan Huffman, R- Houston.

The paper reported that she questioned House Bill 1177’s effect on policing after a powerful storm.

“It’s really, really poor public policy that is not well thought out,” she said, according to the paper.

Read more: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-senate-approves-bill-allowing-texans-to-carry-guns-for-week-after-natural-disasters-report

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What could go wrong?

[bluestarone]

1. Well now this could be interesting!

Stupid fuckers!

[NickB79]

2. National Guard troops vs armed yokels on patrol

I'm gonna need a bigger tub of popcorn!

[Aristus]

3. When natural disasters strike, the most common reaction is that people band together

and help with the recovery; bringing people to safety, distributing food, providing health care, setting up shelters, etc.

This law would grant the gun-nuts permission to go around blasting the hell out of people assisting with the recovery. This is such an anti-humanistic bill...

[Locrian]

22. yep exactly

Allows the gun nuts to live out their zombie apocalypse fantasies by gearing up when they should be grabbing a shovel (or whatever).

I swear - some of these guys (and yes, they are mostly guys) just cant WAIT for something to happen so they can go play armed militia cowboy.

Preys on the "be afraid = grab your pacifier" mentality vs the "lets work together" mentality

[not fooled]

4. Another state to stay out of

under certain circumstances or ever.

[Dem2theMax]

5. Exactly what I was thinking. Another state to avoid.

[Nitram]

6. What could go wrong? Law enforcement patrolling to prevent looting runs into a group of drunk,

gun-carrying guys...

[sandensea]

7. +1

It's almost a zombie movie come to life.

[Nitram]

21. Yes!

[ResistantAmerican17]

8. You know that 'ol saying here in Gawds's republic of Texas

Thank god for Mississippi! I can’t wait to retire and break out of this hellhole.

[machoneman]

9. Is ANYTHING Republiscums in Texas do well thought out? I doubt it.......

...after seeing years of total incompetence.

[Judi Lynn]

10. They can forget seeing the arrival of volunteer helpers from other states, too.

It would be walking into a shooting gallery.

There's no doubt whatsoever some people will be shot standing in their own front yards by people with a grudge against them who will later claim it was an accident or they mistook them for trespassers.

[sandensea]

12. Great point, Judi.

I suppose all such considerations take a back seat to making the NRA happy.

But I'd like to see Texas Republicans ask them for help if disaster ever strikes. They'd just send thoughts and prayers.

[Skittles]

11. because arming traumatized people is always a good idea

WTF

[Judi Lynn]

13. HPD Chief Acevedo blasts bill allowing unlicensed Texans to carry handguns in public after disasters

By Robert Eckhart, Austin Bureau May 27, 2019 Updated: May 27, 2019 1:56 p.m.

AUSTIN — Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo on Monday blasted a bill that would allow people without a handgun license to carry pistols in public — openly or concealed — for a week after a disaster is declared.

“We experienced one of the worst disasters in Texas history during Harvey,” Acevedo wrote. “This bill wasn’t needed then and isn’t needed now. This will embolden 20,000+ gang members & will not help LE [law enforcement]. Let’s hope it isn’t signed.”

. . .

Gun control advocates and several lawmakers have raised similar concerns about House Bill 1177, which is headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for approval after narrowly passing in the Texas Senate on Sunday.

Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said he sponsored the legislation so gun owners don’t have to leave their firearms behind when evacuating their homes. Existing laws, however, allow gun owners to store them in their vehicles, with some conditions.

More:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/HPD-Chief-Acevedo-blasts-bill-allowing-unlicensed-13899242.php



Rep. Dade Phelan and his son are basking in Sean Hannity's splendor.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. Not to worry ! Armed Texans know how to tell a looter from a 'forager' on sight ...

[jpak]

15. Let Texas get all stupid like and whatall

And when the next hurricane hits, don't hand out MREs and water.

Just handout boxes of ammo.

Bless their hearts.

[catrose]

16. My standard response to natural disaster is "What can I do to help?"

I guess now it better be "Lock the doors and turn out the lights."

[Polybius]

17. I thought Texas already was open-carry, regardless of the situation

Someone please explain.

[B Stieg]

18. So, the Texas Rangers can't handle gun crime?

That's pretty much what the legislature is saying.

[moondust]

19. Enabling armed looters?

[sandensea]

20. 'So long as they ain't brown.'

'We don't want guns fallin' into the hands of the wrong people.'

*sarcasm thingy*

[sakabatou]

23. Because that ought to help people! MORE GUNS!