Damn, I love Texas

Via LawDog:

Without fanfare, the first step to airport-style security checkpoints was opened Friday at the four entrances to the Texas Capitol.

The visitors and lobbyists must walk through metal detectors and have their purses and briefcases searched. In coming weeks, their belongings will have to go through X-ray machines yet to be installed.

State employees can walk around the checkpoint if they show valid state identification, as can Texans who carry a pistol with a concealed handgun license.

It’s perhaps the only public building in the country where pistol-packing average Joes can walk through security undeterred.

The express lane for gun owners is clearly marked: “CHL Holders.”

Let me repeat:

State employees can walk around the checkpoint if they show valid state identification, as can Texans who carry a pistol with a concealed handgun license.

I’m loving the common sense coming out of Austin these days. Now if we could just rid it of the hippie infestation.