I was born and reared in Seattle, Washington, went to college in Houston, Texas, and lived in metro-Houston for nearly forty years. This new year begins with a new handgun law in Seattle and one in Texas that are very different. In my (I hope) humble opinion, Seattle’s law reflects sanity and Texas’ law reflects our wild, wild West of yesteryears.
Henceforth, each handgun purchased in Seattle will be accompanied by a $25 tax charge and an ammunition tax of two to five cents for each round purchased. The city will use this revenue to fund research for gun violence and help pay for damage caused by gun violence.
In contrast, Texas begins the new year with a new “open carry” law in which handguns can be carried in public view in a hip holster or even a shoulder holster. Of course, such handgun owners must have a state permit to own their gun. About forty U.S. states currently have “open carry” laws for handguns. Some of them allow the guns to be carried and concealed. In Texas, there are about 1 million residents who have a gun permit, which represents 4% of the total population of Texas.
Houston chief of police, Charles McClelland, says he’s worried about this new open carry law, which provides gun owners with more liberty. He’s especially worried due to the increase in our nation of mass shootings and terrorism. However, in Texas, public establishments, such as businesses, can elect to post a sign saying they do not allow firearms in their establishment.
Churches are divided on this. The First Baptist Church of Arlington, a suburb of Dallas, has decided to allow congregants to possess firearms. Wow! I wouldn’t want to get into a theological argument with someone in that church.
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