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New Texas laws loosening gun restrictions officially go into effect

Police cars and tape block off a crime scene nearby to where a gunman was shot and killed at Cinergy Odessa movie theater. Photo: Cengiz Yar/Getty Images

A slate of new Texas laws intended to loosen gun restrictions went into effect on Sunday, CNN reports.

Why it matters: The new measures, passed by Republican state legislators in the last session, became law 1 day after Texas' 2nd mass shooting in August. Texas has had 4 of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. modern history, according to CNN. The laws will make it easier to carry firearms in several places, including schools and churches.

What's changing:

  • Schools districts won't be able to restrict licensed gun owners, including employees, from keeping a firearm or ammunition in a locked vehicle on school property as long as it isn't in plain sight.
  • Restrictions on how many armed school marshals a school may appoint will be loosened.
  • Licensed handgun owners will be allowed to carry their weapons in places of worship such as churches and synagogues.
  • Some foster homes will be able to store firearms and ammunition as long as they're in a safe and locked location.
  • Landlords and homeowners will no longer be able to keep residents from "lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing a firearm, any part of a firearm, or firearm ammunition in the applicable property."
  • Residents will no longer be charged with a crime for carrying a handgun when evacuating from a disaster area.

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Data: Axios/Ipsos poll; Note ±3.3% margin of error for the total sample size; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios

About half of Americans are worried that trick-or-treating will spread coronavirus in their communities, according to this week's installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

Why it matters: This may seem like more evidence that the pandemic is curbing our nation's cherished pastimes. But a closer look reveals something more nuanced about Americans' increased acceptance for risk around activities in which they want to participate.

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Why it matters: Buying Dunkin’ will more than double Inspire’s footprint, making it one of the biggest restaurant deals in the past 10 years. This could ultimately set up an IPO for Inspire, which already owns Arby's, Jimmy John's and Buffalo Wild Wings.

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