The Austin-American Statesman has an article about possible security increases at the state capitol building.

One possible sticking point: how to allow Texans with concealed-weapons permits to get through security with their guns. Perry, Dewhurst and Straus probably will make the final decision.

Yes, that is a big sticking point, especially given that many of our legislators are CHL holders.

Earlier this week, [Senator Dan] Patrick — who holds a state concealed-handgun permit, along with a number of other Texas lawmakers — sent his colleagues a letter advocating increased Capitol security. “However … I do not want to see those who have a legal right to carry a gun denied their constitutional right.

“Whatever new measures we may adopt, I would not want to stop law-abiding CHL holders from carrying their guns in the Capitol,” he stated in the letter. “The goal is to stop those who bring illegal weapons into the Capitol, not those who have a legal right to do so.”

Note that it was Sen. Patrick’s office that was visited by last week’s gunman. Hearing this sort of attitude and approach from him makes me happy.

Reached by phone Thursday, Patrick said Texans with concealed-handgun licenses might “put their gun in a tray, go through the detector, pick it up and go,” or perhaps they could show their state-issued license and walk around security-screening devices.

Well… I hope they don’t do the “gun in a tray” thing. To have to have people disarm right then and there is risking trouble. The more you handle the gun, the more risk of discharge. Leave it in your holster and don’t mess with it. So hopefully something like showing the license would suffice. In the end, I wouldn’t see the point of putting the gun in the tray anyway. We might have more than one gun, we might have other weapons too (e.g. pocket knife). We’re still going to set off alarms, all that disarming would be troublesome and probably make the sheep nervous too. If we show the license that’s really good enough… it’s reasonable enough to assume we’re armed and going to set off the detectors. Just show and go.

Why not make the Capitol a gun-free zone altogether, like schools and businesses?

“If you continue to restrict more and more places where CHL holders can carry their weapons, you’re tearing away at the intent of the legislation that established this program,” Patrick said.

Thank you!