If you support gun control, you need to read this article.

In light of the Arizona shootings, Tom Givens of Rangemaster articulates his thoughts on the matter. Tom discusses the laws and mechanisms already in place that could have kept Jared Loughner from purchasing a gun, but how no one with the authority to do anything did anything. He also touches on the topic of “high capacity” magazines.

Tom speaks with facts, with reason, and with data. He’s not about emotional appeal, he’s about what makes logical sense.

The 82nd Texas Legislative Session is in full swing.

Here’s a few 2A-related bills to keep an eye on (actually since we’re talking Texas State, it’d be Article 1 Section 23 of the Texas Constitution)

SB 354 – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education.

I’m curious about one thing here. The bill allows private institutions to prohibit legal carry. If an institution opts to do so, how is the public supposed to know about it? As far as I can tell, the bill doesn’t specify. Section 4 of the bill mentions amending PC 46.035 such that collegiate sporting events can only prohibit with 30.06 notice, but what about non-sporting event times, like just strolling around campus on a Tuesday? To remain consistent with the rest of the law, notice of prohibition should be given through proper 30.06 notice; if a private institution wishes to prohibit, they’re going to have to post 30.06 signs all over campus.

I’ve emailed Sen. Wentworth’s office requesting clarification.

My guess is they would have to give notice under 30.06.

SB 321 – Relating to an employee’s transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee’s employer.

Cursory reading of the text, and the bill seems good.

HB 681 – Relating to an employee’s transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee’s employer.

This is the House version of SB 321, and the text appears identical.

Doing a detailed search of the 82(R) – 2011 Legislature for any bill having the subject “Weapons (I0887)” (thanx Jay!), here’s a bunch of others. I’m only listing those of direct relation to “gun rights” (e.g. not listing HB 48).

HB 25 – Relating to the carrying of certain weapons in a watercraft.

HB 77 – Relating to the carrying of certain weapons in watercraft.

Looks to just add “watercraft” along with “motor vehicle” to a few parts of the Penal Code. Seems to be 2 bills for the same thing.

HB 86 – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education.

Not the same as SB 354, but close.

HB 145 – Relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from federal regulation.

HB 298 – Relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from federal regulation.

Both going for the same thing. They’ll hopefully reconcile and merge.

HB 181 – Relating to an exemption from the sales tax on handguns, rifles, shotguns, and ammunition.

HB 242 – Relating to the authority of certain retired peace officers to carry certain firearms.

HB 356 – Relating to the recognition of a nonresident license to carry a concealed handgun.

That one is a bit contentious. If you’re a Texas resident and wish to carry a concealed handgun, you must have a Texas CHL. Obtaining say a Utah permit and then carrying in Texas via reciprocity wouldn’t be able to fly. Yes you could still have a Utah CHL, but as a Texas resident you’d be required to have a Texas CHL.

HB 698 – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain persons attending a school board meeting.

That’s nice and all, but how about allowing the general public to also carry there? Look, if someone is going to come in and start doing evil things during a school board meeting, why should only the board members be allowed to defend themselves? Why not the general public? A CHL-holder is unlikely to be the evil-doer, and an evil-doer is going to do their evil regardless of any law. Why create privilege?

SB 285 – Relating to exempting certain judicial officers from certain requirements for obtaining or renewing a concealed handgun license and to the authority of certain judicial officers to carry certain weapons.

HB 750 – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on certain premises of or locations associated with schools or institutions of higher education.

Updated: HB 750 was filed after I originally wrote this. So there are now 2 House bills (HB 750 and HB 86) and the one Senate bill (SB 354). All have similar but different text, so there’s going to have to be some work to reconcile things.

I get the feeling this is going to be one of the bigger issues of the legislative session.

 

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Folks: contact your Texas State Senator’s and Representatives to let them know your stance on these bills. Furthermore, if you support these bills, urge your Senator or Representative to sign on as a co-author of the bill.

Finally, if you have not joined the Texas State Rifle Association, you should. Many of the things we enjoy in Texas came by way of the hard work of the TSRA and Alice Tripp. Support their efforts. (Disclosure: I am a TSRA Life Member, but otherwise have no connection to the TSRA; I just like supporting them and encouraging others to do so as well).

This is for all of you that live in Texas.

The state legislature convenes it’s 82nd session tomorrow. It runs until the end of May. That means there’s only a few months to deal with the legislative needs of Texas.

Are you a gun owner? Do you care about gun rights? There are some important bills on the table for this session already and likely more could be introduced in the coming weeks. If you care — and you should — you need to get active.

One of the best ways to help? Join the Texas State Rifle Association. Yes, the NRA is important, but most laws in this realm are on the state-level and TSRA is going to have greater impact here. Alice Tripp and her crew need your support. In fact, here’s a letter written by Alice just yesterday about the upcoming session.

If you’re not a member of the TSRA, it’s only $30 to join as an annual member (reduced rates for juniors, seniors, and others). As well, the TSRA PAC, a separate group for political action, needs donations to fund their work.

Don’t do this tomorrow, don’t do this later. Do it today. Do it now, while you’re thinking about it.

(Disclosure: I am a Life Member of TSRA, but otherwise have no affiliation with them… not on a fundraising committee or any such thing…. just some dude with a blog that thinks it’s an important group to be a part of).

Wow. Such high regard for your fellow man:

“I don’t think they should be able to, there’s too many people out there who make very irrational decisions, and I don’t think most people have the quality and intelligence to carry fire arms on campus,” said Jacob Wyers, a WTAMU student.

There’s so much wrong in that statement. It’s depressing.