We begin this week with huge news – news almost as big as Texas itself [Drumroll sound effect?]: the Texas state house voted this week to pass an open carry bill. [Applause?] Representatives gave initial approval on Friday night, despite an onslaught of Democratic amendments. A very similar bill passed the Senate in March, and we have the support of the new governor. Things are looking very good for open carry in the greatest state, and the final vote is due Monday. We’ll of course keep you updated every step of the way.

Two U.S. House Representatives submitted a bill this week that would ban the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives from collecting data related to a firearm purchaser’s race and ethnicity. As it stands, citizens who lawfully purchase guns face federal prosecution if they do not provide this piece of information.
We have no idea why anyone would need this information. A gun owner is a gun owner, and a criminal is a criminal. That applies across the entire spectrum of race. Contact your representative today to support this common-sense law.

Vermont, a “constitutional carry” state, has very few restrictions on guns, but the state legislature is seriously considering adding a new regulation. The state’s house gave initial approval for a bill already through the Senate; the bill would allow prosecution of some convicts for firearm possession. This is already a federal statute, but Vermont is the only state that does not have this law in place at the state level.
The law would also require the “dangerously mentally ill” to be added to the federal background check system. This in turn would deny them firearms. Those who are released from the Department of Mental Health would be allowed to petition the courts to remove themselves from the list.
The provision requiring universal background checks was removed after strong opposition from gun rights groups.

We typically give you stories of defensive gun uses on this show in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of a properly used gun. Unfortunately, sometimes people are in danger when they are not carrying. That’s when your body is your best defense. Amber Hewitt, an 11-year-old from Watauga, Texas, was nearly abducted earlier this week. She didn’t have a gun, and she’s a little roughed up, but she was kicking and screaming so hard that she got away. She had this to say to her attacker: [clip ~1:45-1:50]. Amber is a Tae Kwon Do student, and apparently a pretty good one. She is our self-defense champion of the week.