© 2025 Texas Public Radio
Real. Reliable. Texas Public Radio.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KCTI-AM/FM is off-air due to damage from a lightning strike. We are working to restore service as quickly as possible.

Proposed Bill Ready To Push Back Against Federal Gun Legislation

Wikipedia Commons

With the support of the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a state lawmaker has filed a bill that would block pending federal assault weapons ban from affecting Texas gun owners. 

Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, said "The Texas Firearms Protection Act" draws a line in the sand when it comes to the ongoing debate in Washington over ban of assault-style weapons like the AR-15, the same type of weapon used in both the Newton, Conn. and Aurora, Colo. mass shootings.

"These are semi-automatic small-caliber rifles that look really cool, that are great for hunting small game," said Toth, "and it’s a great home defense weapon as well for women to use because it has no kick."

Toth said his bill would charge police officers with a crime should they arrest anyone in possession of an assault weapon or high-capacity magazine.

The representative said he drew up the legislation because of a statement made by President Obama that the president would issue an executive order if congress did not act on banning assault-style weapons. 

His bill was left pending in committee with two-thirds of those sitting on the House Committee on Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility. 

Ryan started his radio career in 2002 working for Austin’s News Radio KLBJ-AM as a show producer for the station's organic gardening shows. This slowly evolved into a role as the morning show producer and later as the group’s executive producer.