How can I speak to the Texas Legislature?

[thatguy]

I feel strongly about removing as many restrictions for CHL holders and support HB308. How would I go about speaking to the Texas Legislature? Do I sign up or just show up? Can I carry my gun into the House and Senate?

[Beiruty]

I think when the committee is voting on the draft bill you would have a chance to address the committee. I am not sure about the full chamber.

[Charles L. Cotton]

As Beiruty stated, the only chance to speak is during the public hearings in committee. The key is to keep the number of witnesses to an absolute minimum. By the time the hearing comes around, we know where we stand. If the bill is going to be voted favorably from committee, we keep the witness count as low as we can. One or two witnesses is about all they want to hear. However, there are always some folks attending who feel compelled to lecture Senators and Representatives on the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, usually in a very condescending tone. They don't care that they are hurting the cause, they just want to hear themselves talk.

A call-to-action will go out when HB308 goes to committee. A good response will help the bill get an earlier hearing and this is critical to passage. I plan to do something special for HB308, including labeling it as the most important gun bill this session. I'm on my own on this point as neither the NRA or TSRA will take that position. When the Bill is scheduled for a public hearing, another call-to-action will go out asking for phone calls and faxes, as well as attendance at the hearing. It's possible to go to the hearing and "sign-in" in favor of the bill and not wishing to speak.

Chas.

[dcphoto]

Are committee meetings or the full Legislature ever posted?

[srothstein]

Committee meetings are posted and I believe the link is http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Committees ... ?Chamber=H" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. It currently shows no meetings scheduled but does have a link to register to speak at a meeting.

[b322da]

As usual, and as can be expected, Charles made some very clear, understandable, and appropriate comments above. I categorize these few words as his most important ones, and I hope they are not overlooked by the readers here:

...there are always some folks attending who feel compelled to lecture Senators and Representatives on the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, usually in a very condescending tone. They don't care that they are hurting the cause, they just want to hear themselves talk.

Charles has a handle on this, works behind the scene, and the best we can do is follow his lead and not get in front of him. If he feels he needs help you may be assured he will let us know.

Jim

[Beiruty]

Or, one can write to all Texas state's reps and senators conveying his stand on the issue.

[thatguy]

Last session I made many phone calls to legislatures (secretary's) on this same bill but felt the calls were ineffective. While I'm typically not afraid to talk to a group of people grandstanding is not my motive; I'm simply looking for a more effective way to participate. I'll be looking for your updates Charles. Thank you and stay safe.

[jimlongley]

As usual, and as can be expected, Charles made some very clear, understandable, and appropriate comments above. I categorize these few words as his most important ones, and I hope they are not overlooked by the readers here:

...there are always some folks attending who feel compelled to lecture Senators and Representatives on the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, usually in a very condescending tone. They don't care that they are hurting the cause, they just want to hear themselves talk.

Charles has a handle on this, works behind the scene, and the best we can do is follow his lead and not get in front of him. If he feels he needs help you may be assured he will let us know.

Jim

While I agree that it does not make a good impression to lecture our representatives, I also feel that there are many that need to be lectured, or at least re-educated, and more than a few who are flat out too dumb to understand. These are elected legislators, elected by their constituency, and not vetted and hired for their legislative acumen, such as the person who said, in front of the US House of Representatives on April 9, 2013: “Don’t condemn the gangbangers, they’ve got guns that are trafficked, that are not enforced, that are straw purchased and they come into places even that have strong gun laws. Why? Because we don’t have sensible gun legislation.”

[LDB415]

While I agree that it does not make a good impression to lecture our representatives, I also feel that there are many that need to be lectured, or at least re-educated, and more than a few who are flat out too dumb to understand. These are elected legislators, elected by their constituency, and not vetted and hired for their legislative acumen, such as the person who said, in front of the US House of Representatives on April 9, 2013: “Don’t condemn the gangbangers, they’ve got guns that are trafficked, that are not enforced, that are straw purchased and they come into places even that have strong gun laws. Why? Because we don’t have sensible gun legislation.”

Which specific legislator made those comments?

[jimlongley]

While I agree that it does not make a good impression to lecture our representatives, I also feel that there are many that need to be lectured, or at least re-educated, and more than a few who are flat out too dumb to understand. These are elected legislators, elected by their constituency, and not vetted and hired for their legislative acumen, such as the person who said, in front of the US House of Representatives on April 9, 2013: “Don’t condemn the gangbangers, they’ve got guns that are trafficked, that are not enforced, that are straw purchased and they come into places even that have strong gun laws. Why? Because we don’t have sensible gun legislation.”

Which specific legislator made those comments?

The African Queen (just ask her) Sheila Jackson Lee.

[LDB415]

No surprise although there are certainly any number of suspects who could be guilty of the same thing.