Both sides heard on guns

AUSTIN — An overflowing committee room at the Capitol on Thursday was the site of the first of many “grueling” battles Republican lawmakers are waging this legislative session to expand gun laws in Texas as the nation debates increasing gun violence.

More than 50 witnesses, including mass-shootings survivors speaking for and against expanding gun rights, packed the House Homeland Security and Public Safety hearing to testify on active bills that would allow concealed handguns on college campuses, open carry laws, and arming public school officials.

Two Democrats and seven Republicans, many of whom authored legislation to expand gun laws that was considered in the seven-hour hearing, serve on the committee. All bills were left pending Thursday.

Many of those testifying pointed to a state law that allows license holders to carry concealed handguns in the Capitol, including Alice Tripp of the Texas State Rifle Association, who said she brought a gun to the hearing.

“We are our own first responders,” she said.

Howard Ray, a retired Army soldier who survived the shooting at Fort Hood in 2009 that killed 13 people, said gun-free zones are invitations for potential shooters.

“The last several shootings at our universities would have been different if people would have been armed and able to protect themselves and others,” Ray said in an interview after his testimony.

He said he was about 20 yards from shooting suspect Maj. Nidal Hassan when shots were fired. Ray reached for his pistol but found only his empty holster.

Hassan is awaiting trial in the killings.

John Woods, a former Virginia Tech student whose girlfriend was shot and killed in the 2007 massacre at the school, said he is for legislation that mandates universal background checks for gun purchases and improves mental health services, rather than bills that extend gun rights.

“Classrooms are places to learn from mistakes. But when a mistake involves a gun, the consequences of imprisonment or death belie any chance for learning,” said Woods, now a doctoral student the University of Texas. “This legislation is about an ideological agenda having nothing to do with campus safety.”

State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Republican from Southlake, who authored concealed carry bill HB 706, said current law stops law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves against armed criminals.

Glenn Meyer, a psychology professor from Trinity University who specializes in aggression and firearms, said guns should be allowed in classrooms and that people who disagree are “willing to sacrifice the first 30 people,” before the police arrive.

“My classroom is a death trap,” Meyer said. “And I would like to have more to protect myself than an iPad.”

Most university administrators in the state have voiced opposition to guns on campus since it became a pressing issue last session, including Francisco Cigarroa, chancellor for the UT System. The only student government bodies to officially support the measure are Texas State University and Texas A&M University.

Texas is one of 21 states that ban concealed weapons on college campuses. Five states require universities to allow concealed handguns on campus and 24 states leave the decision to individual institutions.

To obtain a concealed handgun license, a resident must be at least 21 years old and complete a classroom and proficiency course.

Others opposing the bill — including Claire James Wilson, who was shot in the 1966 UT Tower massacre, and former Democratic state Rep. Glen Maxey — cited crowded environments, mistake-prone students, accidental deaths and suicides as problems with allowing guns on campus.

“We just do not believe a CHL holder has enough in-depth training” to “understand the dynamics of (an active shooter) situation that is unfolding in front of them,” said Troy Gay, assistant chief for the Austin Police Department. “Their valiant effort” to “do something positive actually could turn out to be something very negative and make the situation worse.”

kparker@express-news.net