Comprehensive Calls-To-Action

This forum will contain all calls-to-action for the 2013 Texas Legislative Session. It is not for general discussion so please post in another forum, however questions about calls-to-action are appropriate for this forum.

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Comprehensive Calls-To-Action

#1

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

With few exceptions, this thread will contain all calls-to-action for the remainder of the 2013 Texas Legislative Session. Bills of special significance may be given threads of their own that are open to discussion, but they will also be included in this thread. This is being done to enable people to subscribe to this thread.

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Re: Comprehensive Calls-To-Action

#2

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Call-To-Action: 3/16/13:

Please call and/or fax your Representative and request their strong support for the following bills:

HB47 - Reduction of CHL class hours for initial license
HB508 - Penalty for posting 30.06 sign on government property
HB1304 - Revision of "failure to conceal" provision in Penal Code and expansion of defense therefor

Please call and/or fax your Representative and request their strong opposition to the following bill:

HB383 by Burnam - Would require a Texas resident to have a Texas CHL in order to carry a self-defense handgun.

For more information on these bills, please see the Texas Firearms Coalition 2013 Bill Status Report, or the Bill Status Report here on the TexasCHLforum. The TFC Bill status report is color-coded and has links to each bill on the Texas Legislative website.

Please note that calls-to-action will not contain every bill that is up for a hearing or vote, as doing so would dilute the impact of our responses.

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CTA on HB508 is withdrawn

#3

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

The call-to-action on HB508 is withdrawn, subject to being reissued in the future.

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SB481 - Texans Must Have Texas CHL

#4

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Senate Bill 481 by Hinojosa – Texas residents must have a Texas CHL
Position on Bill: Oppose

SB 481 is both unnecessary and it will work to the extreme prejudice of hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Texans who for various reasons we have outside the boundaries of our State. SB481 adopts the definition of a “domicile” found in Tex. Trans. Code §522.003(1) which reads
“(10) ‘Domicile’ means the place where a person has the person's true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which the person intends to return whenever absent.”

As a result of this definition, tens of thousands of Texans serving in the military, Texans attending college in other states, as well as construction workers and other workers temporarily out of Texas will be negatively impacted by this bill. Since these people will have the “intent” to return to their homes in Texas when their tour of duty, college studies, or job assignment is completed, they are legally domiciled in Texas.

If these Texans are living in states that require them to have a handgun carry license issued by that state, SB 481 would make it illegal for these law-abiding Texans to come home for a visit and continue to carry their self-defense handgun unless they also obtain a Texas Concealed Handgun License. Some people, such as military personnel stationed outside of Texas, may not be able to get or renew a Texas Concealed Handgun License because they are unable to come to Texas to take an initial or renewal license class.

Equally important is the fact that SB 481 is a solution desperately seeking a problem that does not exist. Texas recognizes concealed handgun licenses issued by perch only every other state in the country. This means many hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Americans are visiting our state carrying self-defense handguns under the authority of licenses issued by their home states. There is no evidence that this has caused any problems whatsoever or that these people are committing crimes in our state.

Rather than passing a bill that will negatively impact hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Texans, the focus should be placed on removing or minimizing current provisions in Texas law that make another state’s concealed carry license more attractive than a Texas Concealed Handgun License. At least two such bills or currently pending in the Texas legislature; one that would reduce the unnecessarily long 10 hour class required for an initial license, and one that will reduce the initial a license fee from $140 to $95.00.

SB 481 offers no benefits to Texans, but negatively impacts many thousands of our law-abiding citizens.

Contact information for the Members of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice can be found at: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senat ... 0/c590.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Please call and send faxes, in addition to sending an email. Politely let these Senators know you oppose SB481.
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Re: Comprehensive Calls-To-Action

#5

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

House Bills
HB801 - Oppose.
Creates a strict liability crime if a round fired from a firearm crosses school property, even if the person shooting had no idea a school was present, or if the round ricocheted multiple times.

Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee:
Rep. Joseph Pickett - Chairman (512) 463-0596
Rep. Allen Fletcher - Vice-Chairman (512) 463-0661
Rep. Philip Cortez (512) 463-0269
Rep. Tony Dale (512) 463-0696
Rep. Dan Flynn (512) 463-0880
Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (512) 463-0682
Rep. George Lavender (512) 463-0692
Rep. Kenneth Sheets (512) 463-0244
Rep. Ron Simmons (512) 463-0478


Senate Bills
SB299 - Support.
Clarifies that unintentional or accidental exposure of a handgun by a person holding a Texas Concealed Handgun License (or a recognized license from another state) is not an offense.
SB481 - Oppose.
Requires Texans to get a Texas CHL to carry a self-defense handgun. A bill in search of a problem to fix.
SB987 - Support.
Requires the Texas Attorney General to seek a permanent or temporary injunction against any county seeking to regulate sport shooting ranges in violation of the Texas range protection laws.
SB1348 - Oppose.
Duplicates federal law and creates new offense related to transfer of firearms. Also contains vague and ambiguous new offense that could be violated unintentionally.

Criminal Justice Committee:
Sen. John Whitmire - Chairman (512) 463-0115
Sen. Joan Huffman - Vice-Chairman (512) 463-0117
Sen. John Carona (512) 463-0116
Sen. Juan Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
Sen. Dan Patrick (512) 463-0107
Sen. José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Sen. Charles Schwertner (512) 463-0105

Agricultural, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security Committee:
Sen. Craig Estes - Chairman (512) 463-0130
Sen. Carlos Uresti - Vice-Chairman (512) 463-0119
Sen. Glenn Hegar (512) 463-0118
Sen. Juan Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
Sen. Charles Schwertner (512) 463-0105
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Re: Comprehensive Calls-To-Action

#6

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Error Correction:

I put the wrong description on SB299. That has been corrected on the CTA and here is the correct version: Clarifies that unintentional or accidental exposure of a handgun by a person holding a Texas Concealed Handgun License (or a recognized license from another state) is not an offense.

Sorry for the error and thanks to Douva for calling it to my attention.

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Re: Comprehensive Calls-To-Action

#7

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

HB507 - Oppose. (Same subject matter as HB801 also being heard on March 28th)
Creates a strict liability crime if a round fired from a firearm crosses school property, even if the person shooting had no idea a school was present, or if the round ricocheted multiple times.

Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee:
Rep. Joseph Pickett - Chairman (512) 463-0596
Rep. Allen Fletcher - Vice-Chairman (512) 463-0661
Rep. Philip Cortez (512) 463-0269
Rep. Tony Dale (512) 463-0696
Rep. Dan Flynn (512) 463-0880
Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (512) 463-0682
Rep. George Lavender (512) 463-0692
Rep. Kenneth Sheets (512) 463-0244
Rep. Ron Simmons (512) 463-0478
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OPPOSE: SB481 and SB1348

#8

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Two anti gun bills are listed as pending business for Tuesday's (4/2/13) hearing in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. Please call and/or fax every member of the committee and email, if you like. Please note, emails are a distant 3rd choice, so please call or fax. Then contact your Senator and tell him you oppose these two bills.

SB481 - Sen. Hinojosa's bill requiring Texas "domacilaries" to have a Texas CHL
SB1348 - Sen. West's overly broad and sweeping bill creating new gun control provisions related to transfers of firearms and setting traps for clubs, websites and other people who allow firearms to be offered for sale.

Chas.

Criminal Justice Committee:
Sen. John Whitmire - Chairman (512) 463-0115
Sen. Joan Huffman - Vice-Chairman (512) 463-0117
Sen. John Carona (512) 463-0116
Sen. Juan Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
Sen. Dan Patrick (512) 463-0107
Sen. José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Sen. Charles Schwertner (512) 463-0105
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HB3218: Call-To-Action

#9

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Everyone needs to call and/or fax Chairman Joe Pickett and politely ask him to schedule a public hearing, and support, HB3218. Do not be disrespectful (see separate post on the possible demise of open-carry.)

HB3218 is one of the top five bills ever filed on behalf of Texas CHLs and it will need overwhelming support if we are to see it pass. I cannot overemphasize the importance of being respectful and not demanding or threatening!

Below is an article published on Texas Firearms Coalition website.

Chas.

Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee:
Rep. Joseph Pickett - Chairman (512) 463-0596
Rep. Allen Fletcher - Vice-Chairman (512) 463-0661
Rep. Philip Cortez (512) 463-0269
Rep. Tony Dale (512) 463-0696
Rep. Dan Flynn (512) 463-0880
Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (512) 463-0682
Rep. George Lavender (512) 463-0692
Rep. Kenneth Sheets (512) 463-0244
Rep. Ron Simmons (512) 463-0478
Time to Recognize Exemplary Conduct wrote: By Charles L. Cotton

Representative Drew Springer (Republican), in his first term has filed a bill that will be counted among the most important bills ever filed in Texas on behalf of Texas Concealed Handgun Licensees (CHLs). HB3218 finally recognizes and rewards CHLs for an eighteen year track record that is the envy of the nation. As noted below, Texas CHLs are almost sixteen times less likely to commit a crime than is the general public and seven times less likely to commit a crime as are Texas peace officers. This is not a momentary blip on the radar screen nor an abnormally good reporting year. These numbers are typical for Texas CHLs.

There is no greater use for a firearm than the preservation of innocent life. It is time to remove artificial, unnecessary and potentially deadly restrictions on the most law-abiding of Texans allowing them to defend their lives and the lives of their families everywhere in our great State.

History of Concealed Handgun Licensees in Texas

The time has come for the Texas legislature to reduce the number of locations that are “off-limits” to CHLs. At the time Senate Bill 60 passed in 1995, it was considered by some as both a revolutionary and radical concept. This opinion was even held by some of the Bill’s supporters in the Texas Legislature. Due to this uncertainty, SB 60 contained many provisions that were ultimately determined to be unnecessary. These provisions included the designation of various locations as being off-limits to CHLs carrying self-defense handguns.

Beginning with the 1997 Texas Legislative Session, the Texas CHL statute has been systematically amended to remove many of the unnecessary provisions. Over the eighteen years since SB60 passed, the Texas concealed handgun license statute became a non-issue. Texas was not reduced to a ghost town, there was no blood in the streets, and all of the other parade of horribles fervently preached by the news media did not come to pass. Texans learned that CHL holders did not pose a threat to their safety and Texas peace officers have come to view the Texas Concealed Handgun License as a “good guy card.”

CHL’s Excellent Track Record

The Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) publishes data setting out the conviction rates for the general public in Texas as well as CHLs. For several years, this writer has used this and other data to create a statistical analysis comparing crime rates on an annual basis. The eighteen year track record achieved by Texas CHLs is astounding. Every year since SB 60 was passed in 1995, CHLs have been far less likely to commit a crime than is the general public in Texas. In recent years, this already excellent track record improved dramatically to the point that CHLs are almost sixteen times less likely to commit a crime than is the general public in Texas. Not only is this an astounding statistic, it is far better than that achieved by Texas law enforcement.

Off-Limits Areas

Most Texans are aware that Texas peace officers can carry their handguns virtually everywhere in the State, whether they are on duty or off duty. Understandably, most people do not have a problem with having very few off-limits areas applicable to peace officers, but they are unaware of the large group of people who are classified as “peace officers” under Texas law. A full discussion of the people that are legally defined as “peace officers” is beyond the scope of this article, but suffice it to say it is far more than DPS Troopers, police officers, deputy sheriffs, and constables. (For more information, go to http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... 2.htm#2.12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.)

Peace officers are not the only Texans who enjoy very few off-limits areas. Parole officers, juvenile probation officers, community supervision officers, judges (including city/municipal court judges and J.P. Court judges), district and county attorneys and their attorney employees are all treated as though they were peace officers in terms of where they can and cannot carry their self-defense handguns. It is enlightening that many of the above-referenced people enjoy reduced off – limits locations only if they also have a Texas Concealed Handgun License. So it is not their job title that reduces the number of off-limits locations, it is the combination of their job title and the fact that they have a CHL.

Time to Level the Playing Field for All Texas CHLs

We are no longer dealing with an unknown quantity as we were eighteen years ago when SB 60 passed in 1995. We have the benefit of the eighteen year track record that clearly proves all Texas CHL holders are trustworthy, not merely those who happen to be judges or attorneys. Indeed, CHLs have proven themselves far less likely to commit a crime than even peace officers who are subject to a very few off-limits restrictions.
There is no compelling reason to exclude CHLs from most of the existing off-limits areas; indeed, thousands of CHL holders who are not peace officers are legally allowed to carry in those areas under current Texas law. For eighteen years, it has been the public policy of this State to empower honest, law-abiding citizens who have obtained a Texas Concealed Handgun License to carry a self-defense handgun to protect themselves and their loved ones. In 1995, it was unknown how well this program would work, so the list of off-limits locations was unnecessarily long. Now that we have proof that Texas CHLs are the most law-abiding Texans, it is time to extend that public policy by reducing the number of off-limits locations applicable to CHLs.

If HB3218 passes, locations that are off-limits to CHLs will be reduced, but they still will not be able to carry in bars (51% locations), while intoxicated, or in locations that are made off-limits by federal law. Private property owners will still be able to prevent CHLs from carrying a concealed handgun on their property, pursuant to Texas Penal Code Section 30.06.

During discussions of off-limits locations, one would often hear the question asked, “why would you need a gun in _____________[?].” That question misses the mark because it ignores the area between the CHL’s car in the off-limits locations. For example, it is doubtful that one would ever need to use their self-defense handgun while watching a Houston Texans football game in Reliant Stadium. However, there have been several people assaulted, robbed and murdered in the parking lot surrounding Reliant Stadium, so a CHL could well need his or her handgun going to and from their car. The question should not be “why would you need a handgun,” it should be “is there a compelling reason to exclude handguns?” In view of the excellent track record CHLs have earned over the past eighteen years, the unequivocal answer is “no.”

We must also remember that every time a CHL is forced to remove his or her handgun and leave it in their car, we are increasing the likelihood that a criminal will see the CHL disarming and will target that vehicle for a burglary. It is ironic that the greater the likelihood of this happening, the more likely the CHL would need their handgun walking to and from the off-limits location.

Conclusion

The fear of the unknown that existed almost two decades ago and prompted the creation of numerous off-limits areas applicable to Texas CHLs no longer exists. Empirical evidence proves that Texas CHLs are honest, law-abiding responsible citizens who have earned our trust. Every time we require a CHL to remove their self-defense handgun before entering an off-limits location, we are rendering defenseless the most law-abiding of our citizens. It is time to recognize CHLs for their outstanding record over the last eighteen years and give them equal standing with other CHLs who have been singled out for preferential treatment.
Call your Representative as well as the Members of the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee and tell him/her you strongly support Rep. Springer’s HB3218. Tell them also that HB3218 deals not only with public safety, but with your personal safety and the safety of your family.

While you are at it, be sure to call Rep. Springer and express your sincere appreciation for his work on HB3218. There's something to the idea of bringing in new blood to get a job done. (512) 463-0526.
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Hearing: HB3218

#10

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

As noted in another thread I started, HB3218 that removes all but one off-limits areas for CHLs (51% locations) will have a public hearing on Thursday, April 18th.

Please contact every member of the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee and them they you strongly support this long-awaited bill. The, respectfully request their support as well.

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SB1189

#11

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

SB1189 is set for public hearing on Tuesday, April 16th. Please oppose this bill as written and any committee substitute that requires a gun owner to get a court order to recover their own property (guns) seized from someone taken into custody under an emergency mental health warrant. Please see a full discussion of this bill in another thread on SB1189.

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Public Hearings on April 18, 2013:

#12

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

The following Bills will be heard in the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee on Thursday, April 18th:

HB 2381 Isaac - Support!
Relating to the carrying of a concealed handgun by a license holder on certain premises.

HB 3142 Bell - Support.
Relating to handguns used to demonstrate proficiency in handgun use for purposes of obtaining a concealed handgun license.

HB 3218 Springer - Support!
Relating to the places where a person may carry a handgun if the person is licensed to carry a concealed handgun.

HB 3219 Springer - Neutral.
Relating to the places where an elected official who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun may carry a concealed handgun.

HB 1747 Canales | et al. Strongly oppose this absurd bill!
Relating to a packaging notice for new firearms and firearm ammunition; imposing a criminal penalty.
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SB481 - On Senate Intent Calendar for 4/15/13

#13

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Please contact your senator and express your opposition to Sen. Hinojosa's SB481. This unnecessary bill would require a Texas "domiciliary" to have a Texas CHL in order to legally carry a handgun.

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HB481 may be delayed until 4/16/13

#14

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

HB481 is on the Senate Intent Calendar for today (4/15/13) but it may be delayed to 4/16/13, so don't hesitate to contact your Senator believing it's too late.

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Oppose: SB481

#15

Post by Charles L. Cotton »

Sen. Hinojosa's SB481 is again on the intent calendar for Monday, April 22nd. Please call your Senator and ask him/her to oppose SB481 by not voting to bring it up for debate and if it is debated, that he/she vote against passage.

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