Last Friday, the state of Texas rang in the new year with a law that permits around one million Texans to openly carry firearms in hip or shoulder holsters. In the past, licensed individuals have been allowed to carry guns in public places, provided that they are concealed from view. Now, individuals who have passed relevant safety checks will be able to openly carry a gun for the first time since 1871.
Guns in court?
Following the passage of the new law, the state's district attorneys have asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to clarify whether it is lawful to ban guns from courthouses and other government buildings. While the new law contains provisions that ban handguns from hospitals, jails, prisons and licensed venues, as well as an 'opt-out' system for businesses, protections on offer for courtrooms are less clear. The calls for clarity come amid concerns that courthouses that display signs banning guns may face penalties under the provisions of Texas Senate Bill 273, which came into effect in September last year. Sources: Washington Post; BBC; Sydney Morning Herald; New York Times; Courthouse News
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