Senate Fires Off First Bill of Session
The Senate passed its first bill of the 2007 session on Tuesday, striking a small blow for the rights of gun owners. Under the measure by Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, state agencies and local governments would be restricted from confiscating weapons and ammunition from law-abiding citizens during a state of disaster, such as a hurricane or a riot. Mr. Carona said his bill was prompted by the widespread seizure of firearms from Louisiana residents in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many of those residents had to go through lengthy procedures to get their guns returned.
"This clarifies that the emergency powers of the State of Texas and local governments do not include the ability to confiscate firearms from their lawful owners," Mr. Carona explained. "Constitutional rights should be protected during times of crisis." His bill would authorize a law enforcement officer to disarm an individual if the officer believed it was necessary to protect himself or another person. The officer would have to return the firearm to the individual once he was released - unless he is arrested for a crime. The Senate bill, passed on a 30-0 vote, now goes to the House.