On Monday, the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hear NRA-backed House Bill 1231 by Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Van). Section 46.035(b)(6) of the Texas Penal Code specifically prohibits the carrying of handguns by License to Carry holders in "churches, synagogues, or other places of worship," but this prohibition only applies if the LTC holder was given effective verbal or written notice under 30.06 or 30.07. House Bill 1231 strikes "churches, synagogues, or other places of worship" from the list of prohibited locations in the Penal Code.
House Bill 1231 also harmonizes the penalty for carrying at other locations listed in Section 46.035(b) and (c) – hospitals, nursing homes, amusement parks and governmental meetings which all must give notice under 30.06 and 30.07 to LTC holders – with the penalty for carrying in any other private property location where effective notice is given under 30.06 or 30.07: a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200, except if the LTC holder is given verbal notice and refuses to leave. Please make plans to attend this hearing and to contact the committee members in support of HB 1231 no later than Monday at noon.
House Bill 1231 also harmonizes the penalty for carrying at other locations listed in Section 46.035(b) and (c) – hospitals, nursing homes, amusement parks and governmental meetings which all must give notice under 30.06 and 30.07 to LTC holders – with the penalty for carrying in any other private property location where effective notice is given under 30.06 or 30.07: a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200, except if the LTC holder is given verbal notice and refuses to leave. Please make plans to attend this hearing and to contact the committee members in support of HB 1231 no later than Monday at noon.
