Greg Abbott tells mayors they can't ban guns in city halls
AUSTIN -- Texas mayors cannot prohibit the concealed carry of handguns in city halls and other government buildings even if they contain security-sensitive areas such as courtrooms, according to Gov. Greg Abbott.
Abbott, the former attorney general, last month told his successor Ken Paxton that under a new law that went into effect Sept. 1, city, county and agency leaders must allow concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into government buildings.
The Abbott memo was sent in response to letters from Hays and Tom Green County officials asking Paxton to clarify when and where they can continue to ban concealed carry in their facilities. News of the memo was first reported by Austin's Community Impact Newspaper.
Under the new law, state and local governments only can ban concealed guns in buildings that fall into a narrow "gun-free" category, including courthouses, polling places, hospitals, public schools, airports and racetracks. Austin Mayor Steve Adler has interpreted that to mean he can ban guns in all of City Hall because the building hosts court proceedings.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/texas-austin-guns-greg-abbott-city-hall-concealed-6651772.php
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