Gun Shows Not So Safe in Texas

The city of Austin has often been characterized as a little slice of Cuba in the heart of Texas, and that image was upheld again lately when Travis Co. commissioners refused to renew a gun show contract with SGN advertiser Saxet Shows.

Saxet was negotiating with the board to hold eight shows in the Travis Co. Expo Center, having conducted shows there since 2010. The commissioners wanted to write into the show's contract a provision that no gun sales would be allowed without background checks being conducted.

Saxet Shows proprietor Todd Beitler refused, pointing out there is no law preventing a Texas resident from selling another a gun.

The history of localities trying to enforce gun laws that don't conform with general sentiment in the state is checkered (see Chicago), and the Texas attorney general has already promised to sue if the county puts restrictions into place. The urge to strike a blow for gun control, however, appears to be irresistible to some liberal politicians.