A hearing in the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety is scheduled for Thursday regarding a slate of bills permitting citizens to possess firearms without permits from the state.
These bills are House Bill 1238 by State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg), House Bill 1911 by State Rep. James White (R–Hillister), House Bill 1927 by State Rep. Matt Schaefer (R–Tyler), and House Bill 2900 by State Rep. Cole Hefner (R–Mt. Pleasant).
This will be the first time since 2015 that there has been a constitutional carry bill filed in both the House and Senate and the second time in Texas history it has been given a committee hearing, with the most recent hearing in 2017.
The Republican Party of Texas and gun owners across Texas have been advocating constitutional carry for more than a decade, but efforts to eliminate the need for a state gun permit have consistently failed.
The following are the members of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee:
- Chair: State Rep. James White (R)
- Vice Chair: State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D)
- State Rep. Sam Harless (R)
- State Rep. Cole Hefner (R)
- State Rep. Eddie Morales (D)
- State Rep. Jared Patterson (R)
- State Rep. Matt Schaefer (R)
- State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R)
With the replacement of Democrat chairman Poncho Nevarez with Republican James White, who has filed his own version of constitutional carry, things are looking brighter this session.
“Our Constitution was written to ensure certain rights of all citizens,” Biedermann said. “Everyone has the right to life and to protect that life from harm. No one should have to pay a fee or get permission from the government before being able to do so legally.”
Texas is in the minority when it comes to gun freedoms, with 32 other states ahead, and grassroots support has become more passionate in recent years.
Rachel Malone, Texas director for Gun Owners of America, said, “It’s no secret that Texas boasts millions of gun owners who most certainly claim to care about protecting their rights. Now is the time for them to show up and make their voice heard.”
“We’re in a unique position this session because of COVID restrictions to have Texans submit written testimonies from their homes,” Felisha Bull, the Texas deputy director of GOA, stated. “So, even if people can’t make it to Austin to testify in person, they can still have an impact on gun rights in Texas.”
“If Texans want to help Texas stay Texas, we have to show up and let our representatives know that we demand gun freedoms,” Bull concluded.
Concerned citizens can contact their lawmakers by locating them on the Texas Scorecard directory.
