Texas: Senate Committee Advances Open Carry Measure to Full Senate; House Set to Consider Right to Hunt & Fish Constitutional Amendment

On Monday, the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee voted 5-1 to send House Bill 910, sponsored by state Representative Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) and state Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls), to the full Senate for consideration.  NRA-supported HB 910 removes the requirement that Concealed Handgun Licensees (CHLs) keep their handguns concealed and gives them the option of carrying them either wholly or partially visible in a belt or shoulder holster.  After having established a 20-year record of law-abiding and responsible behavior, Texas CHLs have earned this personal protection option that 43 states currently allow.

While HB 910 has not yet been scheduled for consideration by the full Senate, it is important that you please email your State Senator this week and urge him or her to support HB 910 on the Senate floor.  Contact information for state Senators can be found here or by clicking the below action button.

Today, likely before noon, the House will consider NRA-backed Senate Joint Resolution 22, sponsored by state Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) and state Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe).  SJR 22 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution that establishes an individual right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in the Lone Star State.  It would ensure that wildlife conservation and management decisions continue to be based on sound science in order to preserve Texas' hunting heritage for generations to come and to protect it against future attacks from well-funded, anti-hunting organizations.  Not only are hunting and fishing deep-rooted in Texas culture, they have a major economic impact on the state.  According to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Lone Star State's hunters and anglers spend $4.1 billion annually and support 65,993 jobs.  Please email your state Representative before noon tomorrow, May 20, and urge him or her to support SJR 22 on the House floor.  Contact information for House members can be found here or by clicking the below action button.