Gun law aims to intimidate

A year ago, after some members of a pro-gun group attempted to take weapons and replicas into a meeting of the Arlington City Council, the council voted to ban real and simulated guns from City Hall and other city buildings where public meetings are being held.

This week, the Texas Senate passed a bill that would fine political subdivisions “that unlawfully post signs that prohibit concealed weapons on property where license holders … are legally permitted to carry.”

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, says when uncooperative governments post signs to ban Texans from carrying where it is legal, they are infringing on citizens’ Second Amendment rights.

Offending government entities could be fined up to $1,500 for a first offense and $10,000 if the violation is repeated.

The bill doesn’t reference the Arlington’s ordinance, but it could apply.

With passage of such legislation, it seems lawmakers are trying to do to local governments what it accuses those entities of doing to citizens — namely, intimidate them and keep them from doing what they think is in the best interest of their residents.

This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Gun law aims to intimidate."