County rolls out efforts to curb gun violence

Harris County officials Tuesday announced four measures aimed at curbing gun violence, which County Judge Lina Hidalgo said are necessary because the state and federal governments have missed opportunities to prevent shootings.

Hidalgo secured unanimous approval from Commissioners Court to expand a gun surrender program to all 22 of the county’s felony courts.

Additionally, county officials unveiled a streamlined system of reporting criminal convictions to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a new health department task force focused on violence prevention and a free gun lock program.

“We know the vast majority of Americans want common-sense gun reforms, and it’s an issue where we’re not just going to roll over,” Hidalgo said. “We’ve spent the last few months scouring what we can do within the framework that exists.”

Hidalgo announced each measure early in the meeting, then invited the elected officials over each to come forward to provide the details.

The surrender program, which debuted in the 280th family court in December 2018, requires defendants charged with domestic violence offenses to give up their weapons to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office until their legal cases are resolved. To date, deputies have seized 25 guns under 10 protective orders.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said 40 percent of Harris County homicides have aconnection to domestic violence, which disproportionately harms women. Seizing guns in such cases, he said, is a common-sense measure to prevent accused abusers the means to commit more violence.

“It’s being respectful of Second Amendment rights but also recognizing the volatility of these situations,” Gonzalez said. “If we can prevent one domestic violence death, it is, to me, a success.”

Several gun advocates said they opposed the gun surrender program, arguing that a more effective way to protect victims is to urge them to arm themselves.

“The best defense a woman has in an abusive relationship is an equalizer, and that is a firearm,” said Luis LaRotta, a Republican candidate for House District 148.

Meanwhile, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess announced plans to speed up the disclosure of criminal convictions to the state Criminal Justice Information System. The Department of Public Safety uses this database to determine which offenders are ineligible to purchase firearms.

Burgess said the county will report convictions within five days, half the 10 days required under state law.

“Accurate and swift reporting will save lives,” Burgess said.

Also Tuesday, Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of Harris County Public Health, announced a task force, founded after the August mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio, to study sources of violence against residents, including gun violence.

Hidalgo also noted the Precinct 1 Constable’s office has launched a free gun lock program. Several Houston-area children have fatally shot themselves or others this year because adults have failed to secure guns at home.

Aimee Turney, a volunteer with gun violence prevention group Moms Demand Action, said she supported the measures announced Tuesday, adding she was grateful county leaders took action where state and federal lawmakers have not.

Texas cities and counties have limited authority to regulate guns. Since taking office, Hidalgo has directed department heads and her own staff to look for steps the county could take.

The first-term county judge also had explored whether the county could prohibit gun shows at county facilities, such as NRG Center. Legal experts have concluded that probably would be illegal, as state law prohibits local governments from enacting gun control measures.

One gun-related measure not taken up by the court was a resolution supporting universal background checks for all gun sales. Earlier this month, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia had proposed such a nonbinding resolution, prompting the Texas State Rifle Association to urge its members to attend Tuesday’s meeting to voice their opposition.

The resolution was not on the final court agenda. Garcia’s staff said the commissioner withdrew the measure to lighten the lengthy agenda and was unrelated to criticism from gun advocates.