VPC

License to Kill

Arrests Involving Texas Concealed Handgun License Holders

Section Two: Recommendations

Since 1987, the National Rifle Association has successfully conducted a state-by-state campaign to loosen concealed carry requirements. As noted earlier in this study, in promoting such laws "shall-issue" proponents have routinely dismissed public safety concerns expressed by the legislation's critics. Law proponents, such as Senator Jerry Patterson, have promised "that responsible people can behave responsibly." Unfortunately, as detailed in this study, Senator Patterson's promises bear little resemblance to the reality of concealed carry.

In light of the findings of this study, the Violence Policy Center recommends strongly against the adoption of "shall-issue" licensing in any additional states and urges that states like Texas that have "shall-issue" licensing repeal such laws. Short of this, the VPC offers the following recommendations for changes to the Texas concealed handgun law.

The list of disqualifying crimes should be comprehensive enough to capture all potentially dangerous applicants. At a minimum, all felonies and a set of clearly defined misdemeanors should automatically disqualify applicants from receiving a license—regardless of the date of conviction.
The confidentiality provisions contained in the law should be removed to allow the public greater access to information regarding concealed handgun license holders. A full and comprehensive evaluation mechanism should be established to more closely examine the effects of the licensing system. The mechanism would identify and track the circumstances surrounding all denials, revocations, and suspensions. In addition, a system for identifying all uses of licensed weapons should be established. All information obtained under this system should be open to the public.
The list of restricted locations should be expanded to include such sites as restaurants (regardless of amount of income derived from alcohol sales), theatres, day-care centers, museums, libraries, public parks, grocery stores, malls, and concerts.
Psychological testing should be required of all applicants for concealed handgun licenses.
Failure to show a concealed handgun license upon demand by a law enforcement official should result in the revocation of the license.
Licenses should be issued only for handguns that have passed safety drop-testing to ensure that they are not prone to unintentional discharge.

The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational organization that conducts research on violence in America and works to develop violence-reduction policies and proposals. The Center examines the role of firearms in America, conducts research on firearms violence, and explores new ways to decrease firearm-related death and injury.