President's Gun Plan Panned, Embraced in Texas
By: Texas Tribune
Updated: January 17, 2013
President Obama's plan, announced Wednesday, to curtail gun violence in the wake of recent mass shootings is drawing both criticism and praise in the gun-loving state of Texas.
The president is calling for Congress to implement background checks for all gun purchases and to ban certain assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Republican Gov. Rick Perry said the president's plan "disgusts" him and that it is an effort by the political left to use the killings to accomplish an anti-gun agenda. He called for prayer and a rejection of evil, as opposed to gun regulation. But Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said in the wake of the president's announcement that he plans to file legislation to close what has been called the "gun show loophole" in Texas.
"How many more tragedies must we endure before we step up and take action?" Ellis said in a press release.
Ellis said his proposal would require background checks at gun shows and other unregulated places where guns are sold. The requirement, he said, would "help ensure those who cannot pass a background check at a gun store will not be able to go to a flea market and buy one there, no questions asked."
Ellis' proposal is one of many policy changes suggested by Texas lawmakers in the wake of the shooting last month at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Conn. Since then, state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, has proposed allowing more school teachers to carry concealed weapons. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurstcalled last week for more firearms training for school employees.
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