Woodlands lawmaker wants to make federal weapons ban illegal
in Texas
by Tiffany Craig
A Republican lawmaker from The Woodlands says he's trying to
make sure the federal government doesn't take away our gun rights.
Don't
mess with Texans or their guns. That’s how state Rep. Steve Toth (R-Woodlands)
sees it.
Toth
wants to make any new federal weapons ban illegal in the state of Texas.
“This
is a hardened state. This isn't a good place for a criminal to show up and
start shooting,” said Rep. Toth.
So,
he’s proposing legislation that would make any federal law banning
semiautomatic firearms or limiting the size of gun magazines unenforceable in
the Lone Star State.
“We
want to make sure this legislation protects the Second Amendment gun rights and
the Tenth Amendment which is state sovereignty rights of Texans
This
controversial idea comes on the heels of another state lawmaker, Lt. Gov. David
Dewhurst, and his views about gun training for Texas teachers.
“In
case we've got school personnel with a concealed handgun permit that are in
that school and there's an active shooter, we don't want the children harmed we
don't want the teacher harmed,” said Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
Under
his plan, the state would foot the bill for gun training. The decision to allow
for concealed weapons on campus would be made district by district.
“You're
not turning the schools into an armed camp with a lot of police officers,” said
Dewhurst. “At the same time, you're sending a message if you publicize it to
bad people, stay away from our children.”
But
the lieutenant governor's idea isn't exactly sitting well with some parents.
“I
don't believe in guns, so I believe in ban gun period,” said parent Tina
Swangphol.
“Maybe
there could be another way,” said parent Patricia Pittman. “I know they need to
be trained, but it shouldn't come out of taxpayer money.”
The
debate over teachers and guns will no doubt be a hot topic in Austin, but Rep.
Toth believes his proposed Firearm Protection Act will easily pass.
Under
his plan, anyone trying to enforce a federal gun ban could be charged with a
felony in Texas.
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