Non-lethal bananas on display at Texas gun rally

AUSTIN, Texas — Gun rights activists staged another rally at the state Capitol and promised to keep things peaceful in their push to support the open carry of handguns without a license in Texas.

A similar rally by a different group two weeks ago raised tensions after a confrontation between activists and a lawmaker.

The most notable sign of protest at Monday’s Open Carry Texas rally was the sight of gun holsters stuffed not with weapons but rolled-up copies of the Constitution, cans of hairspray and bananas to protest restrictive gun laws.

Texas hasn’t allowed open carry of handguns, with or without a license, since right after the Civil War. Lawmakers are considering several open carry bills this year. Most of them require a license similar to current concealed handgun law.

JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press