In Texas, pro-gun bills are on the move
While I'm on the subject of firearms -- see the entry below -- the NRA reports good news in Texas. Several pro-gun bills are working their way through our legislature, including:
HB 225 (by Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland), which extends the term of a renewed concealed handgun license (CHL) from 4 to 5 years;
HB 318 (by Rep. Suzanna Hupp, R-Lampasas), which establishes confidentiality of records on applicants and licensees under Texas' right to carry law (in case you didn't know, at present anyone can buy from the state a list of concealed handgun licensees);
HB 322 (also by Rep. Hupp), which reduces the license fee and lowers the minimum age requirement for a CHL to 18 for military personnel and veterans;
HB 1066 (by Rep. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy), which allows anyone from another state to apply for a non-resident Texas CHL and amends the state's reciprocity law to expand the number of states eligible for an agreement with Texas;
HB 685 (by Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs), which exempts military personnel with recent firearms instruction from having to qualify on the range before obtaining a CHL;
And, saving the best for last:
HB 823 (by Rep. Terry Keel, R-Austin), which amends the Penal Code to make it lawful to possess a concealed, loaded handgun in your car or truck without a CHL. At present, you must have a license to not only carry a gun in public, but even to have one in your vehicle. This bill would amend the law to allow any person legally qualified to own a handgun to have one in their car.
It's all good stuff. If you live in Texas, call or write your legislators and tell 'em to vote "yes" when these bills get to the floor.