The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), regulator of oil and gas production in the Lone Star state, recently amended agency policy to allow licensed employees to carry concealed handguns on the job.

RRC Commissioner Barry Smitherman promoted the policy as a security measure as well as a recognition of basic rights. “During the normal course of performing their jobs, RRC employees often work alone in remote and desolate areas of the state where they may encounter criminals or dangerous wild animals,” Smitherman said. “The least we can do is allow them to exercise their legal right to carry firearms in accordance with state law.”

The new policy allows employees who have Texas concealed handgun licenses (CHLs) to carry their personal firearms while on state property and while in state vehicles. The policy also allows licensed peace officers, security guards, and persons complying with Texas weapons codes to carry their firearms on state and personal property under commission control.

“To be clear, this is not the Wild West,” Smitherman said. “Railroad Commission employees with a CHL will have to abide by all statutes applicable to CHL holders. Concealed handgun means just that: concealed.”

Smitherman expressed the hope that other state agencies would grant their workers similar rights. “Prohibiting RRC employees from exercising their right to carry a firearm in compliance with state and federal law is bad public policy,” Smitherman said. “Taking a stand that RRC employees can exercise their Second Amendment rights is simply the right thing to do.”