Texas: NRA-Backed HB 1927, Permitless Carry Legislation, Will Be Heard in Senate Committee This Thursday!

Dear Texas NRA Member:

Exciting news!  House Bill 1927, by Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) & Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown), an NRA-backed permitless carry proposal that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun without a state-issued License To Carry (LTC), has been referred to, and scheduled for, a hearing in the Senate Special Committee on Constitutional Issues THIS THURSDAY, April 29!  This is the first time a permitless carry bill will have a public hearing in a Senate committee.  

HB 1927 will be heard on Thursday, at 9:00 a.m., in Room E1.016 of the Capitol Extension.  If you are interested in attending the committee hearing to testify in favor of HB 1927, you will need to visit the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) tents outside the north entrance to the Capitol (UT campus side) before entering the building.  You must obtain a wristband after providing proof of COVID vaccination or after completing free COVID testing onsite and receiving a negative result.  Testing usually takes about 10-15 minutes.  The wristband will be necessary to enter the committee room and masks are required to be worn while in the committee room except when testifying.​    

Information on parking at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage can be found here: SPB - Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (texas.gov).

Verbal testimony in committee will be limited to 2 minutes.  You'll need to register your position for HB 1927 and your desire to testify in support of it, using the electronic kiosks outside the committee room.  

If you cannot attend, you can still help.  Please keep contacting your State Senators and urging them to support HB 1927 and TO PASS PERMITLESS CARRY THIS SESSION!  The existing LTC law would not be repealed under this measure.  Criminals who are prohibited from possessing firearms (i.e., felons, fugitives from justice, domestic abusers) and individuals committed by the courts for mental illness, would still be barred from carrying guns.  This legislation would not prevent the enforcement of any laws broken by criminals who misuse firearms.  It's time for Texas to join the 20 other states that have legalized this personal protection option!