"Texas Senate Passes Controversial Bills on Guns, Abortion, and COVID-19 Mandates"

The Texas Senate has passed a bill that would require people who use a firearm while committing certain felonies to serve 10 years in prison or on probation if convicted. The bill would also prevent judges from offering people charged with some gun-related crimes the opportunity to have convictions wiped from their records if they successfully complete probation. Criminal justice reform advocates see the bill as a regression to tough-on-crime policies, while gun rights groups fear law-abiding gun owners who defend themselves with their weapon could face time in prison.