On Wednesday, April 10, the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety will hold public hearings on a number of NRA-opposed bills:
House Bill 1207, by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin), would criminalize the failure to report a lost or stolen firearm to law enforcement within five days of becoming aware that the gun is missing. If you are the victim of theft, or if your firearm is lost during a hurricane, tornado, flood or wildfire, you could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor because you failed to report it within the time prescribed by the bill. Additionally, a conviction for such an offense is grounds for denial on an application for a License To Carry and for revocation of an existing LTC.
House Bill 3191, by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso), requires each county commissioners court to establish a task force to develop policy recommendations and guidelines for the surrender of firearms by persons who are subject to family violence protective orders. The types of orders which would require firearms to be surrendered far exceed those which trigger a firearm possession disqualification under federal law. Further, the bill does not specify methods of firearms disposition, allowing task forces to recommend that local jurisdictions limit surrender options to law enforcement agencies only, and not a federal firearm licensed dealer (FFL) or a non-prohibited third party. The measure also requires task forces to provide for an "enforcement option" which could include seizure and confiscation of firearms.
Please contact members of the House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety and urge them to OPPOSE House Bill 1207 and House Bill 3191. Also, make plans to attend the hearing on Wednesday and register your opposition to these measures (see details below):
House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
8:00am on Wednesday, April 10
(Plan to stay all day, there are 25 bills on the committee agenda)
Room E2.016 of the Capitol Extension
Parking: Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on E. 12th Street between San Jacinto & Trinity
Sign-Up To Speak: Anyone wishing to be shown against, or speak in opposition to, these bills 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. You may not ask questions of the bill sponsor or committee members. (Note: if you must leave before the committee takes up these bills, you can still register against them via the electronic kiosks and that will be made part of the record on the measures.)
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