HB 554 On Senate State Affairs Calendar

[K5GU]

On the calendar for public hearing on 5-21 (Thursday 9 am). This is Rep. Springer's bill that amends the Penal Code to establish a defense to prosecution for possessing or going with a firearm, illegal knife, club, or certain prohibited weapon into a secured area of an airport if the actor is licensed to carry and exited the area immediately upon notification, and prohibits a peace officer from arresting the actor unless the officer advises and gives the actor an opportunity to exit the secured area and the actor does not immediately exit the checkpoint.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/ ... 109001.HTM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LSUTiger]

I hope it passes, how many times do you hear of someone forgetting something in a range bag and getting into trouble for it. Honest mistakes happen. If something slips through undetected this proposed change would not affect that anyway.

Personally, I keep my range bags separate from my travel bags so no unexpected surprises.

Stuff happens.

[TVGuy]

Am I mistaken, I thought the secured area of a commercial airport was federal. Can the state even enforce this at all?

[NotRPB]

"Municipal" airport
Usually city owned property.
Example:
City of Burnet City Council meets at the airport.
http://www.cityofburnet.com/public_info ... ouncil.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Council Chambers - 2402 S. Water (Hwy. 281 South) in the Highland Lakes Squadron building.... at the airport

NOTE:
"SECURED AREA?"
THERE IS A FENCE AROUND THE WHOLE AIRPORT, TO KEEP OUT DEER I THINK...
NO METAL DETECTOR in the Highland Lakes Squadron building..
NO 30.06 POSTING AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING ...in the Highland Lakes Squadron building..

[TVGuy]

"Municipal" airport
Usually city owned property.
Example:
City of Burnet City Council meets at the airport.
http://www.cityofburnet.com/public_info ... ouncil.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are very rarely secured areas of municipal airports. If I own a plane, or am chartering one flying out of Addison Airport I can take my guns on the flight with me and en route to the plane.

This really only effects commercial passenger travel and the secured areas within those airports are handled by the feds.

[TVGuy]

"Municipal" airport
Usually city owned property.
Example:
City of Burnet City Council meets at the airport.
http://www.cityofburnet.com/public_info ... ouncil.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Council Chambers - 2402 S. Water (Hwy. 281 South) in the Highland Lakes Squadron building.... at the airport

NOTE:
THERE IS A FENCE AROUND THE WHOLE AIRPORT, TO KEEP OUT DEER i THINK... "SECURED AREA?"
NO METAL DETECTOR in the Highland Lakes Squadron building..
NO 30.06 POSTING AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING ...in the Highland Lakes Squadron building..

The fence does not make it a secured area in this sense.

[NotRPB]

Thanks, I guess I'll go to a city council meeting

[TVGuy]

Thanks, I guess I'll go to a city council meeting

What exactly does that have to do with it?

[joelamosobadiah]

Am I mistaken, I thought the secured area of a commercial airport was federal. Can the state even enforce this at all?

There are mixed jurisdictions at airports, but state/local law enforcement definitely can and does enforce this and other laws in the airport in both secured and non-secured areas.

[NotRPB]

Thanks, I guess I'll go to a city council meeting

What exactly does that have to do with it?

City of Burnet City Council meets at the airport.

Guess you'd have to know Burnet, the tax appraisal office had a sign for years they'd prosecute anyone except Police carrying a gun...County Attorney agreed with the sign. sign hasd been removed now, more CHLs here than years ago, but still, . it's an educational process here

[TVGuy]

Thanks, I guess I'll go to a city council meeting

What exactly does that have to do with it?

City of Burnet City Council meets at the airport.

Then it would be off limits during that meeting. Just as if a pro sporting event were being held on a piece of property for the day.

[NotRPB]

Thanks, I guess I'll go to a city council meeting

What exactly does that have to do with it?

City of Burnet City Council meets at the airport.

Then it would be off limits during that meeting. Just as if a pro sporting event were being held on a piece of property for the day.

"off limits during that meeting"
I respectfully disagree
Unless a recent change...Political meetings are not off limits if it is not posted with 30.06 compliant sign
Same as State Capitol hearings

However, It may be that some think it is off limits because it's at a fenced in airport.
That was my point in posting it under this thread, I thought it possibly germane >> a political meeting at an airport.

[TVGuy]

Thanks, I guess I'll go to a city council meeting

What exactly does that have to do with it?

City of Burnet City Council meets at the airport.

Then it would be off limits during that meeting. Just as if a pro sporting event were being held on a piece of property for the day.

"off limits during that meeting"
I respectfully disagree
Unless a recent change...Political meetings are not off limits if it is not posted with 30.06 compliant sign
Same as State Capitol hearings

However, It may be that some think it is off limits because it's at a fenced in airport.

We're getting off topic here, but yes. That was assumed.

My point is that I can't see this bill doing anything. If you accidentally carry a handgun into a secured part of an airport and you are caught, it's the feds you have to worry about (TSA and DOJ), not state officials.

[joelamosobadiah]

We're getting off topic here, but yes. That was assumed.

My point is that I can't see this bill doing anything. If you accidentally carry a handgun into a secured part of an airport and you are caught, it's the feds you have to worry about (TSA and DOJ), not state officials.

This isn't necessarily the case. Unless there are other circumstances or intent to do harm, it is very unlikely you will be dealing with criminal charges from the federal level. Maybe a fine, but that's about it. Local law enforcement usually pursue whatever criminal charges may be pressed.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Am I mistaken, I thought the secured area of a commercial airport was federal. Can the state even enforce this at all?

Two issues: Texas criminal law and federal civil fines. Criminal charges are always under Texas law, but TSA can/will levy a civil fine for carrying a firearms or ammo into the secured area, i.e. the terminal building past the metal detectors.

Chas.