House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee Hearing And More.
Houston, Tx –-(Ammoland.com)- Dear TSRA Members, Family and Friends:
Last Thursday, March 14th 2013, important pro-gun bills were discussed in House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety.
Again, a word of thanks to House Committee Chairman Joe Pickett (D-El Paso). Campus Carry and Open Carry are being heard earlier in committee this session than in previous ones, always a good sign for gun-owners.
Bills brought up for public testimony included:
HB 972 by Rep. Allen Fletcher (R-Tomball) contains language hammered-out over two previous sessions and during one interim study by the Legislature. It would allow adult students, faculty and staff with a concealed handgun license the option of carrying during their day to day activities including while on campus. Two other bills, HB 1077 and HB 1078 filed by Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington), work toward this end and all are supported by TSRA. These three bills must move through the committee process.
These three bills brought out over 100 witnesses, causing 5 hours of testimony, for and against.
Another pro-gun bill of special interest to Texans is HB 700 by Rep. George Lavender (R-Texarkana) to allow those with a concealed handgun license the option of open carry. A major concern has been for a resurgence of PC 30.06 postings on private property targeting those who carry openly but impacting all with a license. This is being addressed by a committee substitute which would create a PC 30.07 sign restricting only licensed open carry. TSRA supported HB 700 with testimony as did many other Texans. Law Enforcement did not testify against their measure.
The bills listed above and all others were left pending a committee vote which should come over the next two week. This is not an uncommon procedure.
Tomorrow, Thursday, March 21st, more important pro-gun legislation will be debated:
HB 1421 by Rep. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) regarding the sale of confiscated firearms. Current Texas law requires that firearms confiscated by law enforcement agencies be destroyed or assigned for law enforcement use. These are firearms which cannot be returned to owners and/or are no longer required to be held as evidence. Rep. Perry’s measure would allow a law enforcement agency to sell such firearms at public sale to a federal firearms licensee (FFL). After sale and court costs funds would return to the law enforcement agency previously holding the firearms.
HB 698 by Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) would require that digital fingerprinting services be available within 25 miles of the residence of the person required by law to use such services. Rep. Springer’s house district includes 22 rural counties and reasonable access to digital fingerprinting service is not available.
HB 47 by Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Van) a committee substitute would reduce the number of hours for the initial CHL course from 10 hours including the time spent on the range to “not less than 4 hours or more than 6, not to include range time”. This bill would not change the written material or the exam and only impacts the number of classroom hours. The hours were put into statute before the course written and has not been revisited by the Legislature. Keep in mind the renewal course is currently 4 hours and includes time at the range. With the passage of HB 47 only 6 states out of 39 would require more instruction time than Texas to obtain a state-issued concealed handgun license.
HB 1304 by Rep. Sheets (R-Dallas) provides a more clear definition in statute for the unintentional display of a handgun by a licensee.
Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee meets at 8:00 a.m. in E2.010. This committee hearing may be monitored online at Texas Legislature On Lines.
ACTION: Please contact all the members of Homeland Security and Public Safety by phone or by email. Please be polite and respectful and urge them to support a quick bill passage. Urge the vote “for” our bills and request “reporting” be done promptly.
Remember we now have two weeks’ worth of bills to mention.
Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee Members:
- Chairman Rep. Joe Pickett (Thank the chairman, please)
- VC Rep. Allen Fletcher (Author of HB 972 campus)
- Rep. Philip Cortez
- Rep. Tony Dale
- Rep. Dan Flynn
- Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (Author of HB 1077 and 1078)
- Rep. George Lavender (Author of HB 700 Open Carry)
- Rep. Kenneth Sheets
- Rep. Ron Simmons
HB 508 by Rep. Ryan Guillen
A committee substitute for HB 508 a measure that would fine governmental entities for posting unenforceable PC 30.06 signs required last minute work on language problems. I’m glad to report the measure is in good shape and deserves your attention and support.
The CSHB 508 was left pending in House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. More information on who to call or email soon!
Thanks to New and Renewing Members!
New members and membership upgrades keep pouring in. TSRA’s small office staff is working to add to and update our databases and generally process membership applications.
Thanks your contributions to the TSRA Political Action Committee (PAC). These funds are used during the election cycle to support pro-gun candidates and incumbents at the state level. All contributions and disbursements must be reported to the Texas Ethics Commission.
Keep the Faith and Thanks for Your Help!
About:The Mission of the Texas State Rifle Association is to protect and defend the inalienable rights of the individual Texan to acquire, possess, transport, carry, transfer ownership and enjoy the right to lawful use of firearms for self preservation, for the defense of family and property and the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberties of the people. Visit: www.TSRA.com