Texas Allows Guns in Public Mental Health Clinics

Some facilities are exempt from the new law, including hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 of the Texas health and safety code.
Published: January 20, 2016

A law that makes it illegal for government buildings to ban guns in Texas has forced the state’s mental health clinics to allow weapons on their grounds.

The law would penalize government entities for not allowing citizens with concealed carry permits to carry guns, according to dallasnews.com.

The law exempts courthouses, schools and jails in addition to any private buildings. Hospitals licensed under Chapter 241 of the state’s health and safety code are also exempt.

RELATED: Texas Colleges Can’t Ban Guns on Campus

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Still, many mental health clinics will begin allowing guns. The deputy director of the Texas Council of Community Centers said his group may seek an exemption from the law. The CEO of MetroCare Services in Dallas said he will not allow his security officers to carry guns regardless of the law.

Many doctors, nurses and hospital executives said they are afraid of the consequences of the new law. The majority of MetroCare’s patients are adults with mental illness, and member of hospital staff frequently have to deescalate situations where the patients become violent or suicidal. LifePath Systems in Collin County also said staff frequently calls police to deal with suicidal patients.

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