Texas lawmakers send bill to modify concealed handgun licenses to governor

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas lawmakers have sent to Gov. Rick Perry a bill that allows concealed handgun license holders to carry a revolver or semi-automatic pistol, regardless of what they trained with on the shooting range.

Current law certifies license holders to carry only the type of gun they use to get their license. The bill by Sen. Craig Estes, a Wichita Falls Republican, allows them to carry either model.

Texas has more than 500,000 concealed handgun license holders. Lawmakers have already voted to cut in half the minimum hours of training to get one.

The Legislature is also considering allowing lawmakers to carry concealed handguns wherever they wish. That bill has sparked fierce debate over whether lawmakers should get special privileges other concealed handgun license holders don't have.