Wish List

[joelamosobadiah]

What is your Texas law wishlist pertaining to concealed carry and gun ownership? Just list your top 5 or so most wanted changes to the Texas Gun Laws. Now that the Republicans have the supermajority, maybe some progress can be made in some of these areas.

[TTUchris]

Honestly, I think Texas has pretty solid gun laws. I would like it if Texas could lead the way in the fight for campus carry and show the nation that it will not lead to crazy shootouts like the opponents believe. Other than that, I want our legislators to leave firearms alone and go work on more important matters.

[maxlib]

Two NRA-Backed Measures Introduced in the Texas Senate!

The Texas Legislature convened this past Tuesday for the 2011 legislative session. Two NRA-backed measures have already been filed in the Texas Senate: SB 321 by State Senator Glenn Hegar (R-Katy), legislation prohibiting employers from enforcing policies against the storage of lawfully-owned firearms in employees' private motor vehicles parked at work, and SB 354 by State Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio), a bill to allow Concealed Handgun Licenses to protect themselves on college and university campuses.

Those are two that I can think of off the top of my head. Cut and pasted from an e-mail I got from the NRA-ILA.

[The Annoyed Man]

1. Parking lot bill
2. Campus carry (this one is practically on the same level as #1 form me, but I put the parking lot bill first because it affects more people)
3. Reduced licensing fees
4. Licensed open carry (baby steps)
5. Unlicensed open carry
6. Constitutional carry

[Beiruty]

I would love to see CHLer given the right to open carry or never worry about unconcealed. It is bit of annoying to watch left and right and feel like a criminal even for the few secs when you disarm/arm at your car just to satisfy 30.06 postings. If there was no 30.06 you don't have to disarm/arm in public. In addition, if they get away with failure to conceal charge that is great too..

Exempt wearing long rifles in public from being charged with disorderly conduct.

[joelamosobadiah]

Two NRA-Backed Measures Introduced in the Texas Senate!

The Texas Legislature convened this past Tuesday for the 2011 legislative session. Two NRA-backed measures have already been filed in the Texas Senate: SB 321 by State Senator Glenn Hegar (R-Katy), legislation prohibiting employers from enforcing policies against the storage of lawfully-owned firearms in employees' private motor vehicles parked at work, and SB 354 by State Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio), a bill to allow Concealed Handgun Licenses to protect themselves on college and university campuses.

Those are two that I can think of off the top of my head. Cut and pasted from an e-mail I got from the NRA-ILA.

Just read that email as well. I already contacted Senator Seliger regarding the issue.

[ScottDLS]

1. Parking lot bill
2. Campus carry (this one is practically on the same level as #1 form me, but I put the parking lot bill first because it affects more people)
3. Reduced licensing fees
4. Licensed open carry (baby steps)
5. Unlicensed open carry
6. Constitutional carry

Wow, TAM! This is about the most succinct representation of my wish list (too) I've seen. I'm lazy so I just have to agree with you.

Licensing fees are maybe a little less important to me because I am (thank the Lord) financially OK, for the time being. However, I leave your item where it is, because I have understanding (and experience) that $140, plus class fees, plus ammo, plus minimum 10-15 hours of a person's time are a real burden.

I'd like to see Campus Carry include K thru 12, though I understand that's not the current meaning. Unlike the OCDO folks, I believe that in Texas, licensed open carry would be the easiest step toward "Constitutional Carry". You could immediately legalize licensed open carry by simply striking TXPC 46.035 (a) and nothing else. Businesses would still have to post compliant 30.06 to prohibit licensed carry, open or concealed. The big open carriers would probably be somewhat circumspect in private businesses because they would often receive verbal (aka oral) 30.06 notice, so why not conceal? But, one tiny strike and open carry for licensee's statewide.

[jamisjockey]

In Utopia-Libertarian-jamisjockey-land?

Constitutional carry.
Strike any and all weapons restrictions from Texas laws, including sale and transfer of fully automatic weapons and silencers.
No public property should be off limits.


In reality-land?

Parking lot bill.
Campus carry on all school campuses.
Eliminate the Amusement park restriction.
Eliminate the "School sponsored event" language.
Eliminate the restriction of carrying at a "governmental" meeting.

[ScottDLS]

In Utopia-Libertarian-jamisjockey-land?

Constitutional carry.
Strike any and all weapons restrictions from Texas laws, including sale and transfer of fully automatic weapons and silencers.
No public property should be off limits.


In reality-land?

Parking lot bill.
Campus carry on all school campuses.
Eliminate the Amusement park restriction.
Eliminate the "School sponsored event" language.
Eliminate the restriction of carrying at a "governmental" meeting.

Took care of Amusement park restriction in 1997. Now no different than any other location, they must put a 30.06 notice. Now if we can eliminate trespass by a CHL...

[jamisjockey]

(f) In this section:
(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor
facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the
public that is located in a county with a population of more than one
million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed
with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more
than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the
premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private
driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or
other parking area



I'm thinking 46.035 needs a major retooling.

[Ameer]

What is your Texas law wishlist pertaining to concealed carry and gun ownership? Just list your top 5 or so most wanted changes to the Texas Gun Laws. Now that the Republicans have the supermajority, maybe some progress can be made in some of these areas.

Number 5. CHL fee reduced to the same as DL or even better, the same fee as voter registration.

Number 4. Repeal 46.035 to get rid of laws that apply to CHL with a handgun but not to unlicensed people with a shotgun.

Number 3. Repeal most of 46.03 to eliminate arbitrary off limits places, but keep prisons and similar, if they have controlled access and provide secure storage for citizens' weapons at the entrance.

Number 2. Repeal 46.02 and allow everyone to carry if they're not a felon or otherwise prohibited from owning guns.

And the number one wanted change to the Texas Gun Laws..... Shall not be infringed!

[LarryH]

jamisjockey --

Please continue reading 46.035 down to (i).

[ScottDLS]

(f) In this section:
(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor
facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the
public that is located in a county with a population of more than one
million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed
with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more
than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the
premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private
driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or
other parking area



I'm thinking 46.035 needs a major retooling.

KEEP READING TO THE BOTTOM.


PC §46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE
HOLDER. ...
(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority
of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of
whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's
person:
(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or license issued
under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if
the business derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or
service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as determined
by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section
104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional
sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, unless
the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used
in the event;
(3) on the premises of a correctional facility;
(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241,
Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing home licensed
under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the license
holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing home
administration, as appropriate;
(5) in an amusement park; or
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established
place of religious worship.
...
(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor
was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.
...

[jamisjockey]

Ah, I forgot about that part. Totaly my fault for not applying all my brain parts.

[hirundo82]

In addition to what has already been listed, make 46.05 nonapplicable to possession of prohibited items if properly registered under the National Firearms Act, rather than just a defense to prosecution.