"Eliminating All Rapists from the Streets of Texas": A Case Study on Constitutional Carry and Domestic Violence Education Policies During the 87th Texas Legislative Session
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2022-04-22
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Abstract
This thesis project delves into the complexities of contradicting arguments regarding women’s safety in the 87th Texas Legislative Session, focusing on Constitutional Carry and Domestic Violence Education. I further determine how constructions of crime and public-private discussions impact policies which affect women disproportionately to men. I analyze how this translates to arguments made by conservative legislators in favor of Permitless Carry in Texas, citing concern for women, when the research suggests otherwise. Through the analysis of legislative discussions archived by the Texas Legislature, I conclude that women’s struggles are used to maintain a patriarchal power structure, even if subconsciously, which does not reflect the reality of crime against women accurately. Additionally feminist perspectives and women’s empowerment are appropriated to push a conservative agenda in Texas, with no consideration of the associated harm to women. Checking these theories against the outcomes of Senate Bill 1109, a domestic violence education piece, it is clear that any genuine concern for women’s safety is overshadowed by a desire to maintain patriarchal authority and traditional values.
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domestic violence, legislature, Texas, guns, firearms, policy, intersectionality, vulnerability, public private, education, governor, United States, legislation, Glasscock Summer Scholars