Dallas News further to our story the other day when it looked like this would pass.
In a hail of angry words, lawmakers fought over gun rights and
special privileges before all but defeating a bill that would give
legislators and congressmen the right to carry concealed weapons
anywhere in Texas.
The provision was tacked onto a bill that
initially had widespread legislative support. But House members balked
when the bill’s authors quietly negotiated a deal to give certain
elected officials a broad right not extended to other concealed handgun
license holders.
“When I was sent here, I was sent to take care of
my constituents, not to advance my own self-interests,” said Rep.
Kenneth Sheets, R-Dallas.
Bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio
Grande City, came under withering criticism for seemingly promising he
would strip off the language that gave legislators the special right to
carry guns anywhere.
Instead, Guillen acknowledged that he not
only didn’t take the provision out, he added members of Congress, as
well. He also denied ever pledging to erase such a privilege, prompting a
fellow Democrat, El Paso Rep. Joe Pickett, to question Guillen’s
integrity.
Republicans and Democrats alike denounced the bill,
saying it was wrong to allow themselves perks that others didn’t have.
The procedural vote to take up the bill was defeated, 103-38.
