Texas: Major Victories for Gun Owners in the Lone Star State as Legislature Adjourns

As the Texas Legislature adjourns for 2015, the National Rifle Association is proud to have supported numerous successful bills on behalf of its more than 500,000 members throughout the state.

“Despite the best efforts of gun control groups funded by New York City billionaire Michael Bloomberg, Texas gun owners enjoyed several important victories this year,” said Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “We’ll continue to defend the Second Amendment and fight for the ability of law abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.”

The NRA’s accomplishments this session include;

• Passage of House Bill 910, open carry legislation, sponsored by state Representative Larry Phillips and state Senator Craig Estes, which removes the requirement that Concealed Handgun Licensees keep their firearms concealed and allows them to carry in a belt or shoulder holster. This brings the total number of states recognizing this right to 44.

• A significant step forward was taken for Concealed Handgun Licensees who wish to protect themselves on the campuses of public colleges and universities with the approval of Senate Bill 11, sponsored by state Senator Brian Birdwell and state Representative Allen Fletcher.  Schools will no longer be able to enforce a blanket prohibition against that right on their campuses.

• Senate Joint Resolution 22, sponsored by state Senator Brandon Creighton and state Representative Trent Ashby, will place a constitutional amendment on the November 2015 ballot asking voters to affirm the individual right to hunt and fish in the Lone Star State.

• Senate Bill 273, sponsored by state Senator Donna Campbell and state Representative Ryan Guillen, imposes civil fines on state agencies, cities or counties which improperly post 30.06 signs prohibiting CHLs from public property that is not otherwise off-limits to them in the Penal Code.

The Bloomberg funded gun control group Everytown, along with local affiliate, Moms Demand Gun Sense, spent significant resources in direct opposition to most of these proposals through public rallies, lobbying, and media buys. Texans rejected these efforts and instead expanded their Second Amendment freedoms.

“We appreciate the hard work of our sponsors, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, House leadership, and our legislative supporters for helping achieve these important accomplishments for gun owners in the 2015 session,” Cox concluded.

House Bill 910, Senate Bill 11 and Senate Bill 273 now head to Governor Greg Abbott for his expected signature.