Texas: Two Important Handgun Carry Bills to be Considered in Senate and House Next Week

On Monday, March 27, the Texas Senate will convene after 2:00pm and is expected to take up and consider Senate Bill 16, NRA-backed legislation sponsored by State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston).  SB 16 would significantly reduce License to Carry (LTC) fees in the Lone Star State.  No law-abiding Texan should be priced out of the ability to exercise his or her right to self-defense. 

This legislation has been designated a priority issue by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.  At $140, the fee for an original Texas license is among the highest in the nation.  SB 16 would bring the fees down to among the lowest in the country, slashing the cost of an original license by $100 to just $40, and cutting the cost of a renewal license from $70 to $40.  In other words, the annual cost of an LTC, which is valid for five years, would now be just $8 per year. 

The following Senators are co-authors on SB 16.  If your Senator is on this list, please contact them, thank them for signing on to SB 16 and urge them to continue supporting this measure on the Senate floor.  If your state Senator is not on this list, politely urge them to support SB 16 as it stands when it comes to the Senate floor for a vote. 

Authors:
Nichols | Huffman

Co-Authors:
Bettencourt | Birdwell | Buckingham | Burton | Creighton | Estes | Hall | Hancock | Huffines | Hughes | Kolkhorst | Nelson | Perry | Schwertner | Seliger | Taylor, Van

On Tuesday, March 28, the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety will hold a hearing at 8:00am in Room E2.014 of the State Capitol on House Bill 1911, sponsored by Rep. James White (R-Woodville).  This legislation would allow those who would otherwise qualify for a LTC to carry a handgun for protection without the license.  This would greatly expand personal protection rights in Texas, while preserving the licensing system for individuals who choose to utilize the benefits of reciprocal rights when traveling out-of-state and NICS-exemption privileges when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer.  It’s time to have a serious discussion in the Texas Legislature about whether the Lone Star State should join the 11 other states with permitless carry laws for law-abiding citizens.   Please contact members of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety and urge them to support HB 1911.