Legislation banning counties or cities from funding or conducting gun “buyback” programs passed the Texas House on Tuesday afternoon, on the basis that it wastes taxpayer dollars and has proven ineffective in reducing crime.
House Bill (HB) 3053 by Rep. Wesley Virdell (R-Brady) successfully made its way through the the lower chamber with 85 votes in favor and 56 against — after a combination of questions from members regarding the role of the state government in regulating local governments, the effectiveness of “buyback” programs, and a number of “hazing” questions due to it being Virdell’s first bill to pass as a freshman legislator.
