Texas lawmakers say concealed guns bill needed

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Supporters of a bill to allow concealed handguns into Texas college classrooms say gunfire at a Houston-area community college shows the measure is needed to protect lives.

An argument between two men at Lone Star College escalated into gunfire Tuesday, injuring them and a bystander.

Authorities have charged 22-year-old Carlton Berry with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Sen. Brian Birdwell, a Granbury Republican, has introduced a bill to allow concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into college buildings. A similar measure failed to pass in 2011.

Sen. Donna Campbell, a Republican from New Braunfels, says the shooter could have easily turned the gun on other students. Campbell says if that had happened, other students should be allowed to defend themselves.