TX: Bill Protects Privacy of Right-to-Carry Permit Holders

Dallas-Ft. Worth's WFAA.com is reporting that a bill that would protect the identities of Texans who carry concealed handguns easily passed the House Law Enforcement Committee on last week.

According to the story, the bill would block requests from the public to learn whether an individual has a concealed-gun license. Law enforcement officials would still be able to access the records.

From the story:

The bill by Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, R-Lampasas, a staunch gun-rights backer and privacy advocate, has the support of an unlikely alliance: gun-rights groups and family-violence organizations that tend to push for gun control.

Ms. Hupp and her backers say the current system, in place for a decade, can help criminals plot their attacks and endangers people who don't have permits because someone can figure out that they're not protected.

"Rapists and stalkers have the ability to gain inside information that the woman has a way to defend herself," said Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, chairman of the panel.

Will Ohio representatives also follow through on promises to protect the identities of Ohioans, in the wake of severe (and predicted) abuses by Ohio media outlets? To find out, write your elected officials now!

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