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State Rep. Matt Schaefer Presented With Defender of Freedom Award This Week, As Landmark Pro-Second Amendment Bills Become Law

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

State Rep. Matt Schaefer Presented With Defender of Freedom Award This Week, As Landmark Pro-Second Amendment Bills Become Law

NRA-ILA Texas State Director Tara Mica presented State Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) with NRA’s Defender of Freedom Award this week at the Texas Capitol.  Rep. Schaefer authored and passed House Bill 1927, the landmark Constitutional Carry bill, during the 87th Regular Session.  This is a massive victory for Texas gun owners!

Dear Texas House District 6 NRA Member:

The Texas Legislature passed groundbreaking legislation to restore and protect your Second Amendment rights in the Lone Star State during its 2021 Regular Session.  As NRA-ILA reported to you earlier today, a dozen new pro-Second Amendment bills take effect TODAY -- Wednesday, September 1.

Your State Representative, Matt Schaefer, authored and passed House Bill 1927, NRA-backed constitutional carry legislation, this session.  HB 1927 allows law-abiding adults, age 21 or older, to carry a handgun concealed or unconcealed for personal protection without paying a fee and obtaining a license from the state.  Texas' existing License To Carry law remains on the books so that residents and non-residents may continue to obtain LTCs for purposes of reciprocity and NICS-exemptions ​when purchasing a firearm.  Upon the governor's signature, the new law will take effect on September 1.

Representative Schaefer also authored and passed House Bill 1407, which allows a LTC holder to have a handgun in his or her vehicle that is visible and in a holster, but not on the person – an important clarification, and an extension of legal, safe and practical carry options in one’s car or truck.

Please take a moment to thank Representative Schaefer for his tireless and dedicated efforts on behalf of law-abiding Texans' Second Amendment rights this session, and to congratulate him for receiving the distinguished NRA Defender of Freedom Award.

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.