The Wrong Priorities

To the Editor:

This week, the Texas Legislature begins its 87th session, and not a moment too soon. Texans are still dying from the COVID-19 pandemic. The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine is problematic and needs assistance. The economy is still on very shaky ground due to the effects of the pandemic. Policing in minority communities is still an issue across our state. Our schools need help with funding and their responses to the pandemic. Our state is funded largely by sales taxes and, again due to the pandemic, sales tax receipts are down. The state as a whole is looking at a funding shortfall. The 87th Legislature has a lot on its plate.

Our House District 13 Representative in the legislature is Ben Leman. Recently, Rep. Leman (R-Brenham) sent out a list of bills he has prefiled. Against the backdrop of serious and immediate needs in District 13, what are Rep. Leman’s priorities?

Guns.

Yep. That’s pretty much it. The “pro-life” representative prioritizes guns. House Bill 918 would allow people as young as 18 get a concealed-carry gun license in certain situations. House Bill 919 would prevent any officer acting under the authority of the State of Texas or any political subdivision of the State of Texas to enforce any new Federal gun regulations. Of course, were this bill to pass and be acted upon, it would wind up in court. Given that it appears to violate the US Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, I don’t see it standing. It’ll just be another example of our state wasting our dollars in court.

Finally, Rep. Leman has introduced legislation to recognize a particular pistol as the official State Gun of Texas. While people are dying of COVID-19 here in District 13 and across Texas, this is what occupies our representative’s attention – a State Gun of Texas.

To be fair, Rep. Leman has also introduced legislation to make some technical modifications to bond requirements for those accused of certain human trafficking offenses. While I have questions about these changes, I am at least relieved that Rep. Leman can address a real concern rather than only guns.

So, Rep. Leman seeks to get concealed-carry licenses to teenagers, prevent Texans from enforcing Federal laws that do not exist, and designate an official State Gun of Texas. No wonder Texas government is the laughing stock of the USA.

David DeLuca

La Grange