A top oil and gas regulator in Texas wants to make it easier for his staffers to carry guns.

Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman announced plans yesterday to have the agency offer concealed handgun training for any interested employees. Smitherman is working with the National Rifle Association to make courses available for agency staff to obtain concealed handgun licenses.

"Employees have expressed an interest in this training, and I want to make sure our employees have access to this type of training which is allowed under the law," the chairman said in a statement. "We hope other state agencies also will use this course as a model for their employees."

The training would be available to everyone in the agency, from the executive level in Austin to field inspectors at various remote locations. Commission spokeswoman Ramona Nye said that she was not aware of any human threats to oil and gas inspectors in the field but that they sometimes come across wild animals.

Smitherman said he also wants his staff to be prepared for worst-case scenarios.

"Also, in light of recent shooting tragedies around the country, I want to ensure that our employees have an opportunity to learn how to protect themselves if faced with similar situations," he said in a statement.

Smitherman promoted a policy change a year ago that allowed commission employees with permits to carry their guns on state property and in state vehicles. He emphasized at the time that "this is not the Wild West" and that protecting employees' Second Amendment rights was the agency's responsibility.