Texas open carry bill HB700

[woerm]

Hi,

If you are interested in getting open carry going in Texas now is the time to holler at your reps in Austin. I spoke with Rep Lavender and he indicated that this should be assigned to the homeland security committee. He also indicated that it would help if we contact the chairman of the committee as well.

The bill this year is HB700. Get on the phones and emails and tell your friends, too.

here is the link to the bill
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=HB700

I would prefer constitutional carry but this might be a step in that direction.

 

[Texan Scott]

Well, we all know how to write our Congresscritters ... I'm practiced up. Y'all ready? If y'all want this, start writing!

 

[breakingcontact]

This would be great, not because I want to open carry, but so I don't have to be concerned about showing. It's been windy lately.

A rising tide floats all boats, I'm in.

 

[Texan Scott]

Mine have heard from me. Write them!

 

[Texan Scott]

Oh, MAN, a minute ago it just hit me SO hard... residents of several states are writing their Congresscritters begging them not to take their rights... and we're writing to support expanded carry options in public. It is SO good to be a Texan!

 

[NavyLCDR]

Oh, MAN, a minute ago it just hit me SO hard... residents of several states are writing their Congresscritters begging them not to take their rights... and we're writing to support expanded carry options in public. It is SO good to be a Texan!

Ummm..... if Texas was respecting your right to carry a firearm now, there would not be a need to "expand" anything. It's better to have a right and have to defend it (like in Washington state right now), then to have to fight for a freedom that the government is already infringing upon.

 

[breakingcontact]

Texas isn't one of those free western states. Its a law and order state. Fortunately we have good law makers.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Texas isn't one of those free western states. Its a law and order state. Fortunately we have good law makers.

So things have changed in two years?

http://snarkybytes.com/2011/05/12/open-carry-dead-in-texas-for-now/

It failed in 2011.

 

[woerm]

what's changed

Navy LCDR,

I think the 7th circuit slapping IL about their ban on any carry may force this one way or the other the 5th circuit is a lot more constitutional than the 7th and any suit about the charge $140 fine to exercise a constitutionally chartered Individual right(Heller/MacDonald) and ban open carry files in the face of any level of scrutiny.

I am trying to get into the mix when they schedule hearings there are some pointed questions that need to get fired at the leg on why they can't read the plain text of the US Constitution. I know it burns but Texas is subject to the Federal Constitution.

 

[NavyLCDR]

However, woerm, as of yet, the "reasonable regulation" of the right to carry a firearm in a public place in the form of requiring a permit to do so has never been challenged. I think if Texas' current system were to come before the US Supreme Court, it would be upheld as "reasonable regulation". I don't agree with it....but I think that is the way it would go.

The only thing I can see being overturned would be having to pay a fee for the permit..... the poll tax required to be paid to vote was overturned, I don't really see having to pay a fee to exercise the right to carry a firearm as any different than the poll tax was.

I can see the right to carry a firearm going the same way as the right to vote.... you have to register to vote, but cannot be charged a fee to do it, and if you meet the qualifications you must be allowed to vote.