Police officers from all over the state will converge on the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, to show their opposition to what has been called 'Constitutional Carry' of firearms, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports
.The bill, HB 1911, has been voted favorably out of a House committee and also has support in the Senate.It would allow anybody who can legally buy a firearm, a person of legal age, without a criminal record or other impediments, to legally carry it without having to complete a safety course and pay a fee to obtain a handgun license.
"This legislation shifts the burden or proof to law enforcement officers to verify eligibility of a person on the streets, in what likely is an already rapidly developing situation," the police agencies said in a statement. "This dangerous legislation puts the public's safety at risk and weakens law enforcement's ability to keep weapons off the streets."
The police agencies represented include the Texas Police Chiefs Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Department of Public Safety Officers Association, and the Texas Municipal Police Association.
The police groups say 91% of Texans agree that you should be licensed to carry a handgun.The opposition of police organizations may kill Constitutional Carry. The Republican dominated Legislature is often unwilling to buck police, especially on law enforcement related issues.
Supporters of Constitutional Carry say there is nothing in the Second Amendment that says anything about having to pass a test or 'beg the government' for the right to keep and bear arms. They point out that having to get a license or pay a fee to exercise any of the other rights guaranteed in the Constitution, like to speak freely or operate a free press, would be laughed out of court.
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