Texas: House Committee to Hear Legislation Clarifying State Law on LTC Holders in Church

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, extending to these places the same right enjoyed by nearly all other controllers of private property in the state to decide whether to allow or prohibit LTC holders.  Places of worship are not crime-free zones, as we sadly know in Texas.  And current law, as written, only serves to confuse and potentially disarm law-abiding citizens.

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.  Email and phone contact information for committee members can be found here.

House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
Monday, April 8
   Committee will meet upon House floor session adjournment.  Plan to arrive by 12:00 noon and to stay all afternoon
Room E2.012 of the Capitol Extension
 

Parking:  Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on E. 12^th Street between San Jacinto & Trinity is the best option; other than that, it's street parking as you can find it.

Sign-Up To Speak:  Anyone wishing to be shown in support of, or speak in favor of, this bill must sign up via the electronic kiosks located in the hall behind the committee room.

Dress:  Business casual at a minimum

Testimony: Witnesses are given 2-3 minutes each; speak only to the bill being considered; always be respectful.  Note: you may not ask questions of the bill sponsor or committee members. (Note: if you must leave before the committee takes up this bill, you can still register in support of it via the electronic kiosks and that will be made part of the record on the measure.)