Two Important Texas Pro-Gun Measures Awaiting Action

On Monday, March 9, House Bill 267 and House Bill 410 were heard in the House Committee on Public Safety but no action was taken as only testimony was heard.  Both Bills are currently pending and will be taken up sometime in the near future so please continue to contact the members of the House Committee on Public Safety. 

House Bill 267, sponsored by State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-25), would allow Texans to purchase rifles and shotgun in non-contiguous states.  Currently, federal law allows the interstate sales of such firearms, but a conflicting Texas law only allows residents to buy long guns in the neighboring states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico.  This state law has prevented the FBI and BATFE from approving sales of rifles and shotguns in 45 other states to Texas residents. 

House Bill 410, authored by State Representative Carl Isett (R-84), repeals the requirement that Concealed Handgun Licensees display their carry license if they are in possession of a handgun and are stopped by a law enforcement officer who requests identification.  Under current law, failure by CHLs to display their carry licenses in these situations could lead to licenses being suspended for 90 days.  When House Bill 1815 by State Representative Isett and State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-20) passed and was signed into law in 2007, it legalized the carrying of handguns in private motor vehicles by non-CHLs, and it contained no "notice" requirement.  HB 410 would remove the double-standard "notice" requirement that remains imposed by law on CHL’s. 

Please contact members of the House Committee on Public Safety and respectfully urge them to support HB 267 and HB 410. Contact information for committee members can be found below.

State Representative Tommy Merritt (R-7) Chairman
(512) 463-0750

State Representative Stephen Frost ((D-1) Vice Chair
(512) 463-0692 

State Representative Joe Driver (R-113)
(512) 463-0574

State Representative Lon Burnam (D-90)
(512) 463-0740

State Representative Phil King (R-61)
(512) 463-0738

State Representative Hubert Vo (D-149)
(512) 463-0568

State Representative Tryon Lewis (R-81)
(512) 463-0546

State Representative Mallory Caraway (D-110)
(512) 463-0664