Texas Protects Right-To-Carry Permit Holders

FAIRFAX, VA - Gov. Rick Perry (R) of Texas signed into law SB 501, a bill which restores uniformity and consistency to Texas` Right-to-Carry law. For years, cities and counties have dubiously claimed authority to ban Concealed Handgun Licensees (CHLs) from public property using the state`s criminal trespass law. SB 501 clarifies that local governments may not use the trespass law to prohibit CHLs from areas not otherwise off limits under current law.

"This law reasserts the Legislature`s authority to regulate where license holders can and cannot lawfully carry. Furthermore, it brings the criminal trespass law into harmony with the Right-to-Carry law, the Local Government Code and the Texas Constitution," said Chris W. Cox, chief lobbyist of the NRA. "When cities and municipalities take it upon themselves to curtail the right of self defense, the state legislature has a responsibility to step in. We could not be more pleased with the action they have taken.

"I would like to thank Governor Perry for signing this common-sense measure into law and for his continued support of our Second Amendment freedoms. Strong thanks also go to co-sponsors of this bipartisan legislation, Senator Ken Armbrister (D-Victoria) and Representative Suzanna Gratia-Hupp (R-Lampasas) for their tireless effort on behalf of gun owners throughout Texas," concluded Cox.

The 132 year-old NRA is the nation`s oldest civil rights group, and advocates enforcement of existing laws to prosecute and punish violent criminals. The NRA is the nation`s leader in teaching gun safety and promoting marksmanship among law enforcement officers nationwide. The Association has over 4 million members across America. --nra--