Democrats and Tea Party Supporters Teaming Up To Stop Lawmakers Giving Themselves Gun Perks

Unlikely alliance motivated by different concerns

WASHINGTON –  It's not a political alliance people are used to seeing. But in states like Texas and North Carolina, Tea Party supporters have been teaming up with Democrats to defeat measures that would expand gun rights for lawmakers but not the general public.

In Texas, the House defeated a measure on Sunday that would have given prosecuting attorneys and lawmakers permission to carry guns anywhere they wanted to in the state. Just 38 lawmakers voted for it, while 103 voted against. 

Current Texas law restricts concealed handgun license holders from taking their weapons into schools, bars, sporting events and federal buildings.