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Texas lawmakers 10 times more likely to have concealed handgun permit
kvue ^ | May 21, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Posted on 05/23/2010 5:08:46 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo

When it comes to packing heat, the I-Team found Texas lawmakers to be at least ten times more likely to have a concealed handgun license than the average Texas adult.

"I've had my concealed carry license for several years," said Senator Kel Seliger.

Senator Seliger is one of the nearly 20% of state lawmakers who told the I-Team they have an active concealed license.

However, when asked if he carries to work, he said he prefers to keep that to himself. "I wouldn't care to answer, said Senator Seliger. “That's the beauty of the concealed carry license. You know I can. You know I may. So the best thing is for people not to mess with other people."

One of the reasons lawmakers said they carry is it’s Texas tradition, but the main reason most lawmakers cited is safety.

In January, a Houston man, moments after visiting a senator's office, fired shots from the steps of the capitol. No one was injured, but several lawmakers said the event has them rethinking security at the capitol.

More than a dozen state lawmakers, who don't have a concealed license, like Senator Rodney Ellis, said they're now considering it. "Much to the chagrin of some member of my staff, I'm thinking of taking a class myself," said Senator Ellis.

For every lawmaker who told the I-Team they have a concealed license, there were ones, like Senator Jeff Wentworth, who did not want to tell us, "You'll never know,” said Senator Wentworth. “I don't give that information out. I'm disappointed that some of my colleagues are answering that question. They shouldn't answer that, in my opinion."

In 2007, Texas passed a law sealing all concealed license information from the public.

So while many lawmakers openly admit they carry, just how many and just how often, like the weapons themselves, remains concealed.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: banglist; concealcarry; politicians; texas
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1 posted on 05/23/2010 5:08:47 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo
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To: Bad~Rodeo

“If you try to kill us, we will try to kill you back.”


2 posted on 05/23/2010 5:11:43 AM PDT by RichInOC (No! BAD Rich! (What'd I say?))
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To: Bad~Rodeo

I like Texas more and more.


3 posted on 05/23/2010 5:16:05 AM PDT by Ghost of Philip Marlowe (Prepare for survival.)
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To: RichInOC

4 posted on 05/23/2010 5:22:16 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo (To join contact: info@BoycottMexicoNow.com)
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To: Bad~Rodeo

I only have two things to say about this news:
1. Cool.
2. They don’t withold the same right from fellow citizens.


5 posted on 05/23/2010 5:24:11 AM PDT by SampleMan (No one should die on a gov. waiting list., or go broke because the gov. has dictated their salary.)
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To: Ghost of Philip Marlowe

Me too. TX and AZ are making statements.


6 posted on 05/23/2010 5:39:46 AM PDT by ThunderSleeps (obama out now! I'll keep my money, my guns, and my freedom - you can keep the change.)
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To: SampleMan

Exactly. The same article could be written about Chicago aldermen and I would have a completely different reaction.


7 posted on 05/23/2010 5:43:53 AM PDT by Dan Nunn (Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise. -The Great One)
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To: Bad~Rodeo

The really sad thing is that because of that idiot shooting ON THE STEPS of the Capitol, we, the people, can no longer carry in our Capitol. For the first time in history, they have put of metal detectors that every visitor to the Capitol has to walk through.

I have carried hundreds of time there in the past.


8 posted on 05/23/2010 5:55:38 AM PDT by basil (It's time to rid the country of "Gun Free Zones" aka "Killing Fields")
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To: basil

You’re right, I forgot about that moron screwing it up for everyone else.


9 posted on 05/23/2010 6:00:42 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo (To join contact: info@BoycottMexicoNow.com)
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To: Bad~Rodeo
...I forgot about that moron screwing it up for everyone else.

Because of this moron, the Texas LEGISLATURE screwed up for us law abiding citizens!

10 posted on 05/23/2010 6:11:06 AM PDT by TexasRedeye (Eschew obfuscation)
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To: SampleMan

“One of the reasons lawmakers said they carry is it’s Texas tradition”

One uncited reason is because they knew they were behind the curve, and they were NOT about to try to withhold that right from fellow citizens.


11 posted on 05/23/2010 7:30:51 AM PDT by rickb308 (Muslims need to check with Native Americans & ask how that whole cowboys & indians thing worked out.)
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To: basil

That’s news to me...Did they repeal SB501 to be able to do that, or are they waiting for someone to challenge this BS???

Well, all I have to say is that they better be gone by the time the next session is called next year...

Where is our Texas Supreme Court on this absurd illegal action???


12 posted on 05/23/2010 7:36:34 AM PDT by stevie_d_64 (I'm jus sayin')
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To: basil

Present your CHL to the security at the metal detectors and you get to walk around them like LEOs do.

Just like at the state fair.

remember.... 30.06 is not enforceable on any property owned by the .gov, state or local, unless there is a courthouse, an election, an execution, or inside of the secure jail area.


13 posted on 05/23/2010 7:57:48 AM PDT by melkor
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To: stevie_d_64

see my post to basil


14 posted on 05/23/2010 7:58:38 AM PDT by melkor
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To: basil

i forgot to include everyone on the previous answer. CHL will get you a free pass around the metal detectors. You are free to carry in the capitol.


15 posted on 05/23/2010 7:59:56 AM PDT by melkor
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To: melkor

Actually, I hadn’t taken time to look it up—thanks!


16 posted on 05/23/2010 8:00:59 AM PDT by basil (It's time to rid the country of "Gun Free Zones" aka "Killing Fields")
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To: Bad~Rodeo
Show us your guns!
17 posted on 05/23/2010 8:09:13 AM PDT by Tribune7 (It is immoral to claim the tea parties to be racist)
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To: melkor

A little info but not from a state source. This info has been in the public while the rules were being set up.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2010/05/21/capitol_checkpoints_open_guns.html

...State employees can walk around the checkpoint if they show a valid state ID, as can Texans who carry a concealed pistol with a permit.

It’s perhaps the only public building in the country where pistol-packing average Joes can walk through security undeterred.

The express lane for gun owners is clearly marked: “CHL Holders.”....

Officials have justified their decision this way: CHL permit holders are required to undergo training and pass a background check, steps that will weed out potential nuts and terrorists....

end snips


18 posted on 05/23/2010 8:11:12 AM PDT by deport
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To: deport

not to mention its the law, i’m sure that weighed in on the decision process :)

TSRA went after the state fair and won handedly, they are not afraid to go after capital security


19 posted on 05/23/2010 8:15:04 AM PDT by melkor
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To: deport

not to mention its the law, i’m sure that weighed in on the decision process :)

TSRA went after the state fair and won handedly, they are not afraid to go after capital security


20 posted on 05/23/2010 8:15:20 AM PDT by melkor
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