More than 200,000 people who have state-issued gun permits would be able to bring them into most public buildings under a bill given preliminary approval in the state Senate on Tuesday. 

Proponents say people who have taken state training need to protect themselves from those who may not be law-abiding citizens and are likely already ignoring no-gun signs.

State Sen. Steve Gallardo says the legislation is based on the faulty premise that people with concealed-carry permits have gone through extensive training.

“We have whittled down our CCW laws over the last 10 years where they are unbelievably laughable,” Gallardo said. “Just about anyone can obtain a CCW license. There is absolutely, for the most part, no training.”

There is a required background check, but 16 hours of required training has been replaced by options like completion of a firearms safety or training class approved by the Department of Public Safety or certified by the National Rifle Association.

Government agencies would have to hire armed guards or have metal detectors at each public entrance to keep guns out, though schools and universities would remain gun-free zones.