Texas State Rifle Association Email by Alice Tripp 4/28/2017
Dear TSRA members, Family and Friends:
Witness List for HB375 and HB1911
NRA, TSRA, and OC
Supported Both Bills
On March 28th the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety heard two bills: HB 375 by Rep. Stickland (R-Bedford). The language for HB 375 was filed last session and did not receive a committee hearing. Also included in the hearing was HB 1911 by Rep. James White (R-Hillister), a senior Republican House member from East Texas, HB 1911 was filed for the first time this session. Both bills approach the unlicensed carry of a handgun by Texans.
HB 375 was reported to be in good shape until two hours before the hearing when the bill author brought the committee a complete committee substitute. The first change was to lower the age for a person to carry a handgun without a license from 21 to 18 and the second change would allow unlicensed carry on college campuses. You may remember that Campus Carry which passed last session has not even taken effect for community and junior colleges which will begin in August of 2017.
See the link below listing State Representatives who signed onto HB 375 and HB 1911 in support. You'll notice some signed onto both with a goal to move the issue.
HB 375 Co-Author's List
Read Rep. Stickland's bill lay-out, meaning explanation, for committee members below. The report was written by Texas Legislative Service:
"H.B. 375 is a constitutional carry bill that allows for the carrying of a handgun without a license (LTC). Rep. Stickland said 11 other states have a constitutional law, and the bill would not be an expansion of who can possess a gun, it would not be an expansion of where a person could carry, and it would not eliminate the LTC. Stickland said the bill would allow a person who can legally possess a handgun to carry it; the minimum age to possess a gun is 18, this bill would lower the minimum age to carry to 18. The substitute concerns TABC signage and gun holsters. Stickland said the bill would not hurt the state's revenue from the LTC."
Proponents for HB 375 are still working on the committee substitute. This is the reason the bill has not voted out of committee.
HB 1911 Co-Author's List
HB 1911 Bill Analysis
HB 1911 by East Texas Republican State Representative White, tracts components of our handgun license with two exceptions, no campus carry at this time and the person must be 21.
In Texas there are currently about 200 under the age of 21, active or retired, military with an active handgun license, out of the 1.2 million licensees. This group has always received a discounted fee.
HB 1911 was voted out one week after the March 28th hearing because it didn't require changes although those will certainly be attempted on the House floor in the form of amendments, good or bad.
Kudo's still go to the patience of Chairman Phil King and staff.
Our agenda, our membership, and our support are All about Texas.
Join, renew or upgrade your membership at
www.tsra.com, or 512-615-4200.
And as always,
Keep the faith.
Alice Tripp
Legislative Director
Texas State Rifle Association
