Bill Allows Texans to Keep Guns in Cars at Work

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill similar to an Oklahoma law allowing people to carry firearms to work and keep them in their parked vehicles outside.

Businesses could still keep guns out of their offices and company-owned vehicles but could no longer prohibit guns in company parking facilities - as long as they remain locked up inside an employee's vehicle.

The similar Oklahoma law was recently found to be constitutional by a federal appeals court.

The bill drew criticism from business leaders who call it an affront to property rights. Bill Hammond of the Texas Association of Business warns that it could also spark more workplace gun crimes - particularly at a time when more and more people are losing their jobs.