Texas: Senate Committee to Hear Three NRA-Backed Measures on Thursday!

On Thursday, April 25, the Senate State Affairs Committee will meet at 9:00am in the Texas Senate Chamber to hold public hearings on the three NRA-backed measures below.  Please make plans to attend these hearings and contact committee members and urge them to SUPPORT HB 302, SB 117 and SB 535!

* House Bill 302 by Rep. Dennis Paul (R-Houston) protects the rights of tenants to possess lawfully-owned firearms and ammunition in residential units and on manufactured home lots, and to transport them directly en route between their personal vehicles and those locations.  

* Senate Bill 117 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) clarifies the definition of a “school activity” in the Penal Code so that it applies to activities taking place on the grounds of, or in buildings owned by and under the control of, a school or postsecondary educational institution.  Without this important clarification, the statute could be interpreted to mean that any location where students are present outside of school grounds or school buildings (i.e., any field trip) could turn that location into a “school-sponsored activity” and trigger a firearm prohibition in the area.

* Senate Bill 535 by Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) strikes "churches, synagogues, or other places of worship" from the list of prohibited locations in the Penal Code, extending to these places the same right enjoyed by nearly all other controllers of private property in the state to decide whether to allow or prohibit LTC holders.  Places of worship are not crime-free zones, as we sadly know in Texas.  And current law, as written, only serves to confuse and potentially disarm law-abiding citizens. 

Details for Hearing

Senate State Affairs Committee
9:00 a.m.
Senate Chamber (East end of the Capitol)
Parking:  Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on E. 12^th Street between San Jacinto & Trinity
Sign-Up To Speak:  Anyone wishing to be shown in support, or speak in favor of these bills, must fill out a witness card provided at the desk in the front of the chamber.
Testimony: Witnesses are given 2 minutes each; speak only to the bill being considered; always be respectful.  You may not ask questions of the bill sponsor or committee members.  (Note: if you must leave before the committee takes up some or any of these bills, you can still register for or against them on a witness card.)