Getting in to the Texas Capitol has been a bit of an issue during the 2011 Texas Legislative session. Last year, metal detectors and x-ray machines were installed at each entrance to the building. Anyone who isn't a lawmaker, staff member, or state concealed handgun license(CHL) holder, must now stop - and go through an airport-like checkpoint - before heading on to any office, committee hearing, or floor debate.
For visitors, it's been an inconvenience; but they also only have to deal with it for that one trip. The people who use the Capitol everyday - lobbyists and journalist s- have been a little less excited about standing in lines each time they show up. That lead many to acquire CHL's to gain faster entry. Now a House Bill could let qualified people get a similarly scrutinized ( with background checks) ID card without having to go to the gun range.
The access card would cost about the same as the CHL - to pay for the cost of the background check - and would let holders skip the lines.
