Re: HB 1927 on the Senate floor now
Posted: Tue May 25, 2021 7:05 am
Great and frankly unexpected good news.
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411.209 was modified in HB 1927 to remove the references to TPC 46.035 as that portion of the penal code is repealed and many of the restrictions formerly in that section are now in 46.03.Flightmare wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 12:50 am Just like churches, it was legal to carry in open meetings before....as long as did not receive notice under 30.06/30.07. This was one of the few exceptions carved out with SB 273 (fines for signs) from the 84th legislature. Maybe I'm mis-reading it, but it sounds like the signs might hold no more legal weight, but governments would not be penalized for posting them at open meetings. Which would definitely lead to some confusion. I'd welcome some smarter legal minds to weigh in on this.
The LTC exception for 30.05 has always been a "defense to prosecution". Nothing changes in that regard for LTC holders with HB 1927. How many people do you hear of taking a ride for 30.05 related to handguns when they have an LTC?K.Mooneyham wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 10:47 am Okay, for those in the know on these matters, it says that having an LTC is a "defense to prosecution" for violating 30.05. It's NOT an exemption from, then. It doesn't stop the police from arresting you nor does it stop a prosecutor from bringing a case against you. It only means that IF you are asked to leave a 30.05-posted business, the owner of that business calls the police on you, and you have your LTC, then you can bring that up IN COURT. In other words, it does not make you legally "immune" to 30.05, the way a police officer would be "immune" to 30.05/.06/.07 signs. Why would any business bother posting anything other than 30.05? They will no longer need to bother with 30.06/30.07 to keep you out even if you have your LTC. Am I misunderstanding how that works? Please, tell me I am. Because IF I am understanding this correctly, this is a big step backward.
EDITED TO ADD:
For instance, you walk past a 30.05 sign (only that one, no .06/.07) into a business. Your handgun is covered but somehow it shows a little at some point and the business owners see it and call police on you. You don't know that because the owners say nothing to you. The police arrive and say you're under arrest for the violation. You tell them (and show them) your LTC, and the police officer says "tell it to the court". You may "beat the rap" but you don't "beat the ride", AND you have to pay a bunch of money and also have an arrest record. I can think of one or two places where the scenario might play out.
EDITED TO ADD (2):
Seems to me that the following will need to be amended to the language of 30.05 in regards to those who have their LTC:
"It is an exception to the application of . . . ."
There were no official 30.05 SIGNS before. I can think of a couple of VERY anti-2A, anti-self-defense folks in this state that will almost assuredly be getting the word out (and twisting the information in the process) for businesses in their area to put those signs up, AND to call police if they see someone with a firearm.Papa_Tiger wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 11:32 amThe LTC exception for 30.05 has always been a "defense to prosecution". Nothing changes in that regard for LTC holders with HB 1927. How many people do you hear of taking a ride for 30.05 related to handguns when they have an LTC?K.Mooneyham wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 10:47 am Okay, for those in the know on these matters, it says that having an LTC is a "defense to prosecution" for violating 30.05. It's NOT an exemption from, then. It doesn't stop the police from arresting you nor does it stop a prosecutor from bringing a case against you. It only means that IF you are asked to leave a 30.05-posted business, the owner of that business calls the police on you, and you have your LTC, then you can bring that up IN COURT. In other words, it does not make you legally "immune" to 30.05, the way a police officer would be "immune" to 30.05/.06/.07 signs. Why would any business bother posting anything other than 30.05? They will no longer need to bother with 30.06/30.07 to keep you out even if you have your LTC. Am I misunderstanding how that works? Please, tell me I am. Because IF I am understanding this correctly, this is a big step backward.
EDITED TO ADD:
For instance, you walk past a 30.05 sign (only that one, no .06/.07) into a business. Your handgun is covered but somehow it shows a little at some point and the business owners see it and call police on you. You don't know that because the owners say nothing to you. The police arrive and say you're under arrest for the violation. You tell them (and show them) your LTC, and the police officer says "tell it to the court". You may "beat the rap" but you don't "beat the ride", AND you have to pay a bunch of money and also have an arrest record. I can think of one or two places where the scenario might play out.
EDITED TO ADD (2):
Seems to me that the following will need to be amended to the language of 30.05 in regards to those who have their LTC:
"It is an exception to the application of . . . ."
The 46.15 "exceptions" that allow carry by LTC holders, police officers, "travelers", hunting, etc. to carry handguns have ALWAYS been a defense to prosecution. Look carefully at the statute 46.15 and you'll find it doesn't say "It is an exception to the application of . . . ." either.K.Mooneyham wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 11:39 amThere were no official 30.05 SIGNS before. I can think of a couple of VERY anti-2A, anti-self-defense folks in this state that will almost assuredly be getting the word out (and twisting the information in the process) for businesses in their area to put those signs up, AND to call police if they see someone with a firearm.Papa_Tiger wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 11:32 amThe LTC exception for 30.05 has always been a "defense to prosecution". Nothing changes in that regard for LTC holders with HB 1927. How many people do you hear of taking a ride for 30.05 related to handguns when they have an LTC?K.Mooneyham wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 10:47 am Okay, for those in the know on these matters, it says that having an LTC is a "defense to prosecution" for violating 30.05. It's NOT an exemption from, then. It doesn't stop the police from arresting you nor does it stop a prosecutor from bringing a case against you. It only means that IF you are asked to leave a 30.05-posted business, the owner of that business calls the police on you, and you have your LTC, then you can bring that up IN COURT. In other words, it does not make you legally "immune" to 30.05, the way a police officer would be "immune" to 30.05/.06/.07 signs. Why would any business bother posting anything other than 30.05? They will no longer need to bother with 30.06/30.07 to keep you out even if you have your LTC. Am I misunderstanding how that works? Please, tell me I am. Because IF I am understanding this correctly, this is a big step backward.
EDITED TO ADD:
For instance, you walk past a 30.05 sign (only that one, no .06/.07) into a business. Your handgun is covered but somehow it shows a little at some point and the business owners see it and call police on you. You don't know that because the owners say nothing to you. The police arrive and say you're under arrest for the violation. You tell them (and show them) your LTC, and the police officer says "tell it to the court". You may "beat the rap" but you don't "beat the ride", AND you have to pay a bunch of money and also have an arrest record. I can think of one or two places where the scenario might play out.
EDITED TO ADD (2):
Seems to me that the following will need to be amended to the language of 30.05 in regards to those who have their LTC:
"It is an exception to the application of . . . ."
Doesn't seem that way. In any event, the language should have been made EXPLICITLY clear that 30.05 signs apply ONLY to UN-licensed carry, and that LTC holders are exempt from those signs. Nothing would preclude a business owner (or their agent) from ASKING someone to leave or be considered trespassing, the way it is now. I am NOT against Constitutional Carry, I'm happy it passed for several reasons. However, I just think the wording doesn't set up things for success, I think it sets up situations for failure. I remember a man who was a member of this forum who got arrested because a security guard spotted his concealed handgun, and that situation at least had some impact on generating new language in the law to prevent such a thing from happening again...even though the intent for that to happen wasn't originally in the law. One of the things I learned in the Air Force is that if you want people to abide by regulations/rules, you need to make those regs/rules very clear and unambiguous. Gray areas are NOT a good thing when some people will exploit those areas against good people who made honest mistakes, or honestly thought they were complying.ScottDLS wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 12:22 pmThe 46.15 "exceptions" that allow carry by LTC holders, police officers, "travelers", hunting, etc. to carry handguns have ALWAYS been a defense to prosecution. Look carefully at the statute 46.15 and you'll find it doesn't say "It is an exception to the application of . . . ." either.K.Mooneyham wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 11:39 amThere were no official 30.05 SIGNS before. I can think of a couple of VERY anti-2A, anti-self-defense folks in this state that will almost assuredly be getting the word out (and twisting the information in the process) for businesses in their area to put those signs up, AND to call police if they see someone with a firearm.Papa_Tiger wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 11:32 amThe LTC exception for 30.05 has always been a "defense to prosecution". Nothing changes in that regard for LTC holders with HB 1927. How many people do you hear of taking a ride for 30.05 related to handguns when they have an LTC?K.Mooneyham wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 10:47 am Okay, for those in the know on these matters, it says that having an LTC is a "defense to prosecution" for violating 30.05. It's NOT an exemption from, then. It doesn't stop the police from arresting you nor does it stop a prosecutor from bringing a case against you. It only means that IF you are asked to leave a 30.05-posted business, the owner of that business calls the police on you, and you have your LTC, then you can bring that up IN COURT. In other words, it does not make you legally "immune" to 30.05, the way a police officer would be "immune" to 30.05/.06/.07 signs. Why would any business bother posting anything other than 30.05? They will no longer need to bother with 30.06/30.07 to keep you out even if you have your LTC. Am I misunderstanding how that works? Please, tell me I am. Because IF I am understanding this correctly, this is a big step backward.
EDITED TO ADD:
For instance, you walk past a 30.05 sign (only that one, no .06/.07) into a business. Your handgun is covered but somehow it shows a little at some point and the business owners see it and call police on you. You don't know that because the owners say nothing to you. The police arrive and say you're under arrest for the violation. You tell them (and show them) your LTC, and the police officer says "tell it to the court". You may "beat the rap" but you don't "beat the ride", AND you have to pay a bunch of money and also have an arrest record. I can think of one or two places where the scenario might play out.
EDITED TO ADD (2):
Seems to me that the following will need to be amended to the language of 30.05 in regards to those who have their LTC:
"It is an exception to the application of . . . ."
When the 46.15 section was drafted, the language used was not exactly "it is exception to the application of <statute> that". The language was challenged and there was an appellate court finding that since that specific language wasn't used, all the 46.15 non-applicability provisions are only "defenses" as laid out in TXPC Chapter 2 "Burden of Proof".
If you have a "defense" to a particular statute, you have just as much assurance that what you are doing is legal as Texas LEO does for carrying a handgun.
Vol Texan wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 5:54 pm It appears to have passed completely!
Now on to the governor’s desk.
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB1927
I see what you are saying, but the Defense provided to LTC to 30.05 is the same as it has always been. Just because there is a specific format for the new 30.05 sign doesn't mean that the Defense is no longer available. You take the same "risk" as you would have previously carrying past a Circle Slash Beretta sticker.K.Mooneyham wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 12:36 pmDoesn't seem that way. In any event, the language should have been made EXPLICITLY clear that 30.05 signs apply ONLY to UN-licensed carry, and that LTC holders are exempt from those signs. Nothing would preclude a business owner (or their agent) from ASKING someone to leave or be considered trespassing, the way it is now. I am NOT against Constitutional Carry, I'm happy it passed for several reasons. However, I just think the wording doesn't set up things for success, I think it sets up situations for failure. I remember a man who was a member of this forum who got arrested because a security guard spotted his concealed handgun, and that situation at least had some impact on generating new language in the law to prevent such a thing from happening again...even though the intent for that to happen wasn't originally in the law. One of the things I learned in the Air Force is that if you want people to abide by regulations/rules, you need to make those regs/rules very clear and unambiguous. Gray areas are NOT a good thing when some people will exploit those areas against good people who made honest mistakes, or honestly thought they were complying.ScottDLS wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 12:22 pm ...
The 46.15 "exceptions" that allow carry by LTC holders, police officers, "travelers", hunting, etc. to carry handguns have ALWAYS been a defense to prosecution. Look carefully at the statute 46.15 and you'll find it doesn't say "It is an exception to the application of . . . ." either.
When the 46.15 section was drafted, the language used was not exactly "it is exception to the application of <statute> that". The language was challenged and there was an appellate court finding that since that specific language wasn't used, all the 46.15 non-applicability provisions are only "defenses" as laid out in TXPC Chapter 2 "Burden of Proof".
If you have a "defense" to a particular statute, you have just as much assurance that what you are doing is legal as Texas LEO does for carrying a handgun.
If you're thinking of Handog I think he was at the tax office or some other public property and the issue was that (before open carry) he unintentionally exposed his handgun briefly and the language was added to make it clear that unintentional exposure was not a crime.I remember a man who was a member of this forum who got arrested because a security guard spotted his concealed handgun, and that situation at least had some impact on generating new language in the law to prevent such a thing from happening again...
He really doesn't need to sign it at all as long as he doesn't Veto it it becomes law. Like most of the new bills:powerboatr wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 1:11 pmVol Texan wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 5:54 pm It appears to have passed completely!
Now on to the governor’s desk.
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB1927![]()
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hopefully the GOV signs it fast like he promised in the many tweets i get from him![]()
If case law evolves to say that a person is always carrying under the authority of their LTC if they happen to have an LTC, that would put Texas LEO's in an impossible situation, especially if they have young children. Either they don't get an LTC, and risk committing a crime every time they drop their kids off at school (or pick them up), or they get their LTC and commit a crime every time they enter a 30.07 posted business while they are in uniform.oljames3 wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 6:05 pmYes, the concept of carrying "under the authority of their LTC" has been discussed here before. However, that is just an interesting thought exercise. Until a case hinging on this concept is tried in court and that decision is appealed, we will not know what carrying "under the authority of their LTC" means. It is the appellate court decisions that become case law. After the governor signs the bill, I'll have a talk with my lawyer.TrueFlog wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 6:00 pmYour ideas are intriguing to me, and I hope that you're correct. However, I'm hesitant to take legal advice from a stranger on the Internet. Has this concept of when someone is or not carrying "under the authority of their LTC" been discussed on this board before? I'd be curious to see what opinions others have offered and whether there's any broad consensus on this idea.ScottDLS wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 4:04 pmI mentioned above that 30.06/30.07 only apply to carry "under the authority of your LTC". If a location (after 9/1) doesn't post a 30.05, but for some reason only a 30.06/7 then you could carry past the signs just like an unlicensed carrier. Reason being you don't need the authority of your LTC to carry, so therefore you're not (carrying under its authority). If this were not the case then currently, a peace officer who happened to have a LTC couldn't carry past a sign either. If one was not convinced by that, one could leave their LTC in the car, as technically you can't carry (under LTC authority) if you are not also carrying the LTC itself.TrueFlog wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 3:54 pm If I'm reading this correctly, 30.06 and 30.07 signs do not apply to unlicensed carry. Is that right? That means that unlicensed Texas will be able to carry in tens of thousands of locations that are currently off-limits to license holders due to 30.06 and 30.07 signs. That seems kind of backwards...
ELB wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 3:21 pm GOA's summary of bill: https://texas.gunowners.org/hb-1927-fin ... es-it-say/
If he doesn't after saying he would, he is making the most serious political mistake of his career as he is about to start campaigning for re-election.Assuming Gov. Abbott signs HB 1927