By Sami Sparber AUSTIN BUREAU
Despite protests from Police Chief Art Acevedo and several lawmakers, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law Friday that will 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 tweeted after the bill cleared the Senate last month. “The World watched as we all came together. This bill wasn’t needed then and isn’t needed now. This will embolden 20,000+ gang members & will not help (law enforcement). Let’s hope it isn’t signed.”
State 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.
“I don’t want someone to feel like they have to leave their firearms back in an unsecured home for a week or longer, and we all know how looting occurs in storms,” Phelan said in an interview in March. “Entire neighborhoods are empty, and these people can just go shopping, and one of the things they’re looking for is firearms.”
Existing laws allow gun owners to store them in their vehicles with some conditions.
Opponents of the bill included state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, who said she is a firm believer in the Second Amendment but called the bill “bad public policy” in debate on the Senate floor last month.
“It’s not solving a problem, it’s creating a problem,” she said.
The bill passed the Texas House on a 91-52 vote and passed the Texas Senate in a 16-15 vote that saw three Republicans side with Democrats against the bill.
“This bill wasn’t needed then and isn’t needed now. This will embolden 20,000+ gang members & will not help (law enforcement). Let’s hope it isn’t signed.”
Police Chief Art Acevedo, in a tweet after the bill cleared the state Senate in May