Latest concealed handgun-related legislation in Texas

Rodrockinoff

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Here is the latest legislation being considered here in Texas. I am fairly sure that might be of interest to many of you:

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"AUSTIN — Legislation allowing state university students and employees to carry their concealed handguns on campus appears to have enough pledged support from lawmakers to pass the full Texas House."

"The bill would prohibit public universities across Texas from creating rules that forbid concealed handgun license holders from carrying their pistols into a classroom, but it would allow private institutions to exempt themselves."

"Chances for passage in the House — if it gets there — look strong, as 76 members have signed on to support the bill, authored by Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland."

"The House Public Safety Committee already has signed off on the measure. Now, it needs to get scheduled for debate in the full House."

"'State after state after state have said no to it … and this committee just chose to ignore them,' said Marsha McCartney, president of the North Texas Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 'I'm not usually surprised about what goes on in Austin, but I am terribly disappointed.'"

"In the Texas Senate, 13 members have pledged support for an identical measure sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio."

"If passed and signed into law, it would mark a rare legislative victory for advocates of allowing concealed firearms on campus. Similar proposals have failed in 19 other states since 2008, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures."

"'If it does make it to the Senate floor we also expect it to pass,' said Katie Kasprzack, a spokeswoman for the grass-roots gun group Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. 'We're hearing that the Senate State Affairs (committee) may let the bill die. That's going to be the biggest hurdle.'"

"Eleven universities or colleges across the country allow students and employees to carry handguns on campus."

"Utah is the only state that prohibits all nine of its public universities from making rules to prevent a concealed handgun license holder from carrying on campus."

"In the 23 states that give universities the option to allow it, only two have done so: Colorado State University and Blue Ridge Community College in Virginia. Twenty-four states, including Texas, forbid the possession of a handgun by licensees on their public university campuses, according to a House report."

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Since this published report, there was a recent report that a rider has been attached to the bill which mandates that the concealed carrier be 21 years of age or older... which is ridiculous since you have to be 21 to GET a concealed-carry license in the state! No set-back. Wonder how this will turn out?
 
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Originally posted by robertrwalsh:
Those people in Texas have their heads screwed on straight, mostly at least. I expect it will do fine.
+1. God bless Texas!!!
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Unfortunately, it looks like the Texas House will let this bill die without a vote along with lots of others due to stalling techniques being used to prevent a vote on an unrelated voter ID bill.
 
Originally posted by jlanecole:
Unfortunately, it looks like the Texas House will let this bill die without a vote along with lots of others due to stalling techniques being used to prevent a vote on an unrelated voter ID bill.

Yes, it is looking that way at present. Gov. Perry CAN call another special session if he desires if it comes to that.

Looks to me like it's not about US anymore... it's about Dems/Reps battling each other with little regard for the needs and welfare of the public. These guys need to get off their hinies and do the job we elected them for. Seems they tend to forget that they represent US?

"Heads screwed on straight?"... maybe not everyone! Sorry, rrw.
 
I should have mentioned this in my last post, this being Memorial Day, etc.: Another bill which would die is one giving tax benefits to disabled veterans. And many other good bills, most of which probably need passing. But the House can't get past square one because of the political party bickering over "procedure." Solution: Don't vote for an encumbant till you get good government. Just my $2 (my opinion is worth more?... no, I just don't have a cents key!!!... or maybe it's just the effects of our drastic inflation?).
 
Originally posted by jlanecole:
Unfortunately, it looks like the Texas House will let this bill die without a vote along with lots of others due to stalling techniques being used to prevent a vote on an unrelated voter ID bill.
Maybe not. SB 1164 is in the Calendars Committee. It needs to be voted out of committee to get it on the House floor for a vote, where it will almost certainly pass if voted upon. To my knowledge, this bill is in no way tied to the voter ID bill, except that the voter ID bill is taking up valuable time and making it less likely for 1164 to get to the floor. All you Texans, please call the office of Representative Brian McCall, Chairman of the Calendars Committee, at 1-512-463-0594, and ask to have SB-1164 voted out of Calendars for a vote on the House floor. Thanks!
 
I may be wrong about this, but I think it wasn't placed on the calendar in time by the Calendars Committee, and so it died. Any Texas residents who have the stomach for it should check out the live video streams from the House just to observe the phenomenal job they do of wasting time. They stop every few minutes to talk about lunch, honor school teachers, and generally screw around. Truly, our tax dollars at work.

Texas House of Representatives
 
Both the parking lot bill and the campus bill died in calenders because the dems were fighting against voter ID.
 
Originally posted by wheelgun1958:
Both the parking lot bill and the campus bill died in calenders because the dems were fighting against voter ID.

What is wrong with the voter ID bill?... do you want illegal immigrants voting? We have a LOT of them here in Texas. Why are the Dems so adamant to defeat this bill?... are they "dependent" on their vote?... (tongue in cheek barb). The only modification of our present voting system is to require voters to show picture ID to assure that the voter is who they say they are and legal to vote. Fine with me. Why not? I am disappointed in the whole process of government at this point.

I am almost glad that I am on the "back-side" of my life. What's this world coming to? You young guys really got a job cut out for you to straighten all this out. Good luck.

Hint: If governmental issues don't go the way you want them to with the legislators who are in office... then don't re-elect them!!!
 
The main issue with the voter ID bill is that a picture ID from the state costs money (about $15 I think) which in some people's view, essentially amounts to a poll tax. I'm extremely frustrated with Texas Democrats over this, but I'm also keenly aware that if the situation were reversed, the Republicans would be using the same delay tactics to advance their agenda. In the end, hundreds of pieces of legislation will likely go the way of the gun-related proposals due to this unproductive legislature.
 
Originally posted by jlanecole:
The main issue with the voter ID bill is that a picture ID from the state costs money (about $15 I think) which in some people's view, essentially amounts to a poll tax. I'm extremely frustrated with Texas Democrats over this, but I'm also keenly aware that if the situation were reversed, the Republicans would be using the same delay tactics to advance their agenda. In the end, hundreds of pieces of legislation will likely go the way of the gun-related proposals due to this unproductive legislature.
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Most voters have a valid Texas drivers license with a picture ID. If not, they should pay the fee to insure that no one is voting illegally. If they can't afford it... (Lee might "get" me if I said what I wanted to so I will "tame" it down")... then... they don't vote!!!
 
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