For the second time in two months, a district attorney has asked the Texas Office of the Attorney General whether a county is allowed to ban handguns in a justice center.

The Texas Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 273 to prohibit governmental entities from posting signs barring concealed handguns on government premises. Violating the bill could bring a lawsuit by the AG's office to collect a civil penalty. But courts and court offices may still ban handguns.

Hays County Criminal District Attorney Wes Mau explained in his Sept. 9 opinion request that the Hays County Government Center includes courts and court offices, but also offices for the DA, county and district clerks, constables, probation department and more. Many of them serve the courts except for three offices on the first floor.