Texas constitutional carry bill is DOA, its sponsor declares

Source: Houston Chronicle

Texas constitutional carry bill is DOA, its sponsor declares
Paul Cobler April 5, 2019 Updated: April 5, 2019 1:47 p.m.



Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, walks the floor with pages of legislative material as the Texas House of Representatives takes up the budget bill on March 27, 2019.
Photo: Tom Reel, Staff / Staff photographer

The author of the so-called ‘constitutional carry’ bill has essentially withdrawn the legislation, which would allow Texas handgun owners to carry their weapons — openly or concealed — in public places without a license

State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, said Friday he will withdraw his request for a public hearing on the bill, which faced steep odds in the House.

"The issue is of great importance to me, but I refuse to act like it is still a possibility and continue to provide false hope to my constituents," Stickland said in a statement released Friday morning. "I cannot participate in political theatre and ask that Texans come to Austin to spend their time and money for a piece of legislation that has no path to success."

The announcement came amid news reports that Chris McNutt, a gun rights advocate outraged by the lack of movement on Stickland's bill, had traveled to House Speaker Dennis Bonnen's home and was intercepted there by officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety.


Read more: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Texas-constitutional-carry-bill-is-DOA-its-13744731.php