Gebhardt is just one of many pistol-packing Texans who forget to disarm before going to the airport. But she's a judge, and that has some people crying foul over her treatment by outgoing Bexar County District Attorney Steve Hilbig, who indicated he'd go after her on a felony weapons possession charge. And others say that because Gebhardt is a judge, she may not have committed an offense at all. Gebhardt was on vacation last week and could not be reached for comment. Hilbig did not return two phone calls.
Many judges believe they have the right to carry under common law as protectors of the peace.
They also believe they can tote guns into the same places as peace officers, including courthouses and airports. State law prohibits non-peace officers, even if they are licensed to carry, from carrying guns in those areas. But Hilbig told the San Antonio Express-News he was standing by the felony charge against Gebhardt, who has not been indicted. Jeff Wentworth, a San Antonio state senator, disagrees. He's proposed a bill in the upcoming session of the Legislature that would make it easier for judges to tote guns by exempting them from going through the state's handgun permitting process.