House Speaker Needs Push To Allow Pro-Gun Bills To Be Considered During Upcoming Special Session In Texas

Please Contact House Speaker Joe Straus!

During the recently-adjourned session of the Texas Legislature, the Texas House failed to vote on any significant piece of pro-Second Amendment legislation -- including an NRA-backed bill that would allow hard-working Texans to transport and store lawfully-owned firearms in their private motor vehicles while parked at work.  The bill would have prohibited enforcement of corporate "No Firearms" policies that extend beyond the physical workplace to include employee parking lots; these policies effectively prohibit workers from protecting themselves during their commute, as they have no way of storing guns in their cars and trucks once they park at work without risk of being fired.

This important legislation passed the Senate unanimously, with over two months left in session.  House leaders failed to set the bill for House floor action in a timely manner, and the bill died on the House Calendar without even a vote.

The Governor will call a special session of the Legislature in the coming weeks to address state agency re-authorization bills that also failed to pass during the regular session.  While the Governor has ultimate control over what is considered during any special session, it's unlikely that any issue will be placed on the agenda which doesn't have the support of both Senate and House leaders.  We already know where the Governor and Senate leaders stand on this issue.

That's why it’s critical that you contact House Speaker Joe Straus (R-121) at (512) 463-1000 and ask him where he stands on this issue: with big corporations or with hard-working Texas gun owners and sportsmen who are prohibited from protecting themselves during their commutes to and from work every day?  You may also send an email to Speaker Straus by visiting the following website: http://www.house.state.tx.us/speaker/welcome.htm

Let him know that you are disappointed that House leaders did not set the employee/parking lot issue for House floor action in a timely manner, so that House members could vote on it while there was still time in the regular session.  And urge him to work with Governor Perry to get the bill on the call for the upcoming special session.

Thank You!