Texas Representative Displayed Handgun at Hearing
Representative Richard Raymond pulled out a pistol to criticize a district attorney during a lengthy legislative session.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Texas State Representative Richard Raymond displayed a handgun during a 12-hour legislative committee hearing to demonstrate his own security measures. He used the act to criticize Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza for failing to prosecute a death threat made against him.
Why it matters
The demonstration highlighted ongoing friction between state lawmakers and the Travis County District Attorney office regarding the handling of violent threats and criminal cases. Lawmakers have accused the office of dropping murder charges and releasing repeat offenders.
The Travis County District Attorney office manages more than 15,000 cases annually. Representative Jose Garza, who has led the office since 2021, did not attend the 12-hour legislative hearing.
The players
Richard Raymond
He is a Texas State Representative who drew attention to his security concerns by brandishing a handgun during a formal hearing.
Jose Garza
He is the Travis County District Attorney who has been in office since 2021 and faced criticism from state lawmakers.
Stephanie Gharakhanian
She serves as a legislative liaison and represented the Travis County District Attorney office during the hearing.
The details
Representative Richard Raymond pulled out the firearm while questioning a legislative liaison, Stephanie Gharakhanian, to illustrate his frustration over the office's inaction. He claimed he had received a specific threat to chop up his body, which the county office declined to pursue.
Timeline
Jose Garza took office as District Attorney in 2021.
The legislative committee hearing occurred on September 30, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the legislative criticism argue that district attorneys require prosecutorial discretion to manage high caseloads and prioritize resources. They contend that political grandstanding at hearings undermines the independence of county-level judicial offices.
The clash underscores potential shifts in local law enforcement accountability and how state leaders may seek to intervene in county-level prosecutorial decisions. Residents should monitor for possible state-level legislation that could change how local district attorneys handle violent threats.
The takeaway
Legislative hearings are increasingly being used as platforms for high-profile confrontations between elected officials and judicial administrators. This suggests that future policy debates in Texas may rely more on provocative demonstrations to capture public attention.
Further reading
For more information on state oversight, see the Legislative Policy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Laredo Morning Times.
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