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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to granting authority to carry a firearm to certain |
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unlicensed persons and to related regulatory provisions and |
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criminal offenses. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter H, Chapter 411, |
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Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER H. LICENSE TO CARRY [A] HANDGUN AND OTHER PROVISIONS |
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RELATING TO CARRYING OF FIREARMS |
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SECTION 2. Sections 411.1741(a) and (b), Government Code, |
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are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) When a person applies for an original or renewal license |
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to carry a [concealed] handgun under this subchapter, the person |
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may make a voluntary contribution in any amount to the fund for |
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veterans' assistance established by Section 434.017. |
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(b) The department shall: |
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(1) include space on the first page of each |
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application for an original or renewal license to carry a |
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[concealed] handgun that allows a person applying for an original |
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or renewal license to carry a [concealed] handgun to indicate the |
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amount that the person is voluntarily contributing to the fund; and |
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(2) provide an opportunity for the person to |
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contribute to the fund during the application process for an |
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original or renewal license to carry a [concealed] handgun on the |
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department's Internet website. |
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SECTION 3. Section 411.204(c), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) The sign required under Subsections (a) and (b) must |
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give notice in both English and Spanish that it is unlawful for a |
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person, including a person licensed under this subchapter or a |
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person otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun, to carry a |
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handgun on the premises. The sign must appear in contrasting colors |
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with block letters at least one inch in height and must include on |
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its face the number "51" printed in solid red at least five inches |
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in height. The sign shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner |
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clearly visible to the public. |
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SECTION 4. Section 411.205, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY IDENTIFICATION AND |
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HANDGUN LICENSE. If a person [license holder] is carrying a handgun |
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[on or about the license holder's person] when a magistrate or a |
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peace officer demands that the person [license holder] display |
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identification, the person [license holder] shall display [both] |
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the person's [license holder's] driver's license or identification |
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certificate issued by the department or other proof of identity. If |
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the person is a license holder under this subchapter and is carrying |
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the person's handgun license, the person also shall display [and] |
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the person's [license holder's] handgun license. |
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SECTION 5. Sections 411.207(b) and (c), Government Code, |
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are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of |
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the officer's official duties may temporarily disarm a person who |
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is a license holder or otherwise legally authorized to carry a |
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handgun when the person [a license holder] enters a nonpublic, |
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secure portion of a law enforcement facility, if the law |
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enforcement agency provides a gun locker where the peace officer |
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can secure the person's [license holder's] handgun. The peace |
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officer shall secure the handgun in the locker and shall return the |
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handgun to the person [license holder] immediately after the person |
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[license holder] leaves the nonpublic, secure portion of the law |
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enforcement facility. |
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(c) A law enforcement facility shall prominently display at |
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each entrance to a nonpublic, secure portion of the facility a sign |
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that gives notice in both English and Spanish that, under this |
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section, a peace officer may temporarily disarm a person who is a |
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license holder or otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun |
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when the person [license holder] enters the nonpublic, secure |
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portion of the facility. The sign must appear in contrasting colors |
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with block letters at least one inch in height. The sign shall be |
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displayed in a clearly visible and conspicuous manner. |
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SECTION 6. Section 42.042(e-2), Human Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(e-2) The department may not prohibit the foster parent of a |
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child who resides in the foster family's home from transporting the |
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child in a vehicle where a handgun is present if the handgun is in |
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the possession and control of the foster parent and the foster |
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parent is licensed to carry the handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter |
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411, Government Code, or is otherwise legally authorized to carry a |
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handgun. |
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SECTION 7. Section 229.001(b), Local Government Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Subsection (a) does not affect the authority a |
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municipality has under another law to: |
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(1) require residents or public employees to be armed |
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for personal or national defense, law enforcement, or another |
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lawful purpose; |
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(2) regulate the discharge of firearms or air guns |
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within the limits of the municipality, other than at a sport |
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shooting range; |
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(3) regulate the use of property, the location of a |
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business, or uses at a business under the municipality's fire code, |
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zoning ordinance, or land-use regulations as long as the code, |
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ordinance, or regulations are not used to circumvent the intent of |
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Subsection (a) or Subdivision (5) of this subsection; |
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(4) regulate the use of firearms, air guns, or knives |
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in the case of an insurrection, riot, or natural disaster if the |
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municipality finds the regulations necessary to protect public |
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health and safety; |
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(5) regulate the storage or transportation of |
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explosives to protect public health and safety, except that 25 |
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pounds or less of black powder for each private residence and 50 |
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pounds or less of black powder for each retail dealer are not |
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subject to regulation; |
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(6) regulate the carrying of a firearm or air gun by a |
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person other than a person licensed to carry a handgun under |
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Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, or a person otherwise |
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legally authorized to carry the handgun, at a: |
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(A) public park; |
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(B) public meeting of a municipality, county, or |
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other governmental body; |
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(C) political rally, parade, or official |
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political meeting; or |
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(D) nonfirearms-related school, college, or |
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professional athletic event; |
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(7) regulate the hours of operation of a sport |
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shooting range, except that the hours of operation may not be more |
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limited than the least limited hours of operation of any other |
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business in the municipality other than a business permitted or |
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licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises |
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consumption; or |
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(8) regulate the carrying of an air gun by a minor on: |
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(A) public property; or |
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(B) private property without consent of the |
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property owner. |
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SECTION 8. Sections 62.082(d) and (e), Parks and Wildlife |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(d) Section 62.081 does not apply to: |
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(1) an employee of the Lower Colorado River Authority; |
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(2) a person authorized to hunt under Subsection (c); |
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(3) a peace officer as defined by Article 2.12, Code of |
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Criminal Procedure; or |
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(4) a person who: |
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(A) is carrying [possesses] a handgun the person |
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is legally authorized to carry [and a license issued under
|
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Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to carry a handgun]; or |
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(B) under circumstances in which the person would |
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be justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9, Penal Code, |
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shoots a handgun the person is legally authorized [licensed] to |
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carry [under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code]. |
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(e) A state agency, including the department, the |
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Department of Public Safety, and the Lower Colorado River |
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Authority, may not adopt a rule that prohibits a person [who
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possesses a license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
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Government Code,] from entering or crossing the land of the Lower |
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Colorado River Authority while: |
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(1) carrying [possessing] a handgun that the person is |
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legally authorized to carry; or |
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(2) under circumstances in which the person would be |
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justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9, Penal Code, |
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shooting a handgun. |
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SECTION 9. Section 284.001(e), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(e) This section does not limit a person's [the] ability to |
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carry a handgun if the person is legally authorized [of a license
|
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holder] to carry a handgun [under the authority of Subchapter H,
|
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Chapter 411, Government Code]. |
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SECTION 10. Section 30.05, Penal Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (d) and (f) and adding Subsections (d-1) and |
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(d-2) to read as follows: |
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(d) Subject to Subsections (d-1) and (d-2), an [An] offense |
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under this section is: |
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(1) a Class B misdemeanor, except as provided by |
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Subdivisions (2) and (3); |
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(2) a Class C misdemeanor, except as provided by |
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Subdivision (3), if the offense is committed: |
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(A) on agricultural land and within 100 feet of |
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the boundary of the land; or |
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(B) on residential land and within 100 feet of a |
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protected freshwater area; and |
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(3) a Class A misdemeanor if: |
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(A) the offense is committed: |
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(i) in a habitation or a shelter center; |
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(ii) on a Superfund site; or |
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(iii) on or in a critical infrastructure |
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facility; or |
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(B) the person carries a deadly weapon during the |
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commission of the offense. |
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(d-1) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine not to exceed $200 if: |
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(1) the sole basis on which entry on the property or |
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land or in the building was forbidden is that entry with a firearm |
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was forbidden; and |
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(2) the person was carrying in a concealed manner or in |
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a holster a handgun that the person was legally authorized to carry |
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at the time of the offense. |
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(d-2) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor |
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if: |
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(1) the sole basis on which entry on the property or |
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land or in the building was forbidden is that entry with a firearm |
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was forbidden; |
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(2) the person was carrying in a concealed manner or in |
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a holster a handgun that the person was legally authorized to carry |
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at the time of the offense; and |
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(3) it is shown on the trial of the offense that, after |
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entering the property, land, or building, the actor was personally |
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given notice by oral communication that entry with a firearm was |
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forbidden and subsequently failed to depart. |
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(f) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that: |
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(1) the sole basis on which entry on the property or |
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land or in the building was forbidden is that entry with a firearm |
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[handgun] was forbidden; and |
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(2) at the time of the offense the person was carrying: |
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(A) a license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter |
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411, Government Code, to carry a handgun; and |
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(B) a handgun: |
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(i) in a concealed manner; or |
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(ii) in a [shoulder or belt] holster. |
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SECTION 11. Section 30.07(f), Penal Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(f) It is not a defense to prosecution under this section |
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that the handgun was carried in a [shoulder or belt] holster. |
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SECTION 12. Section 46.02(a-1), Penal Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person |
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intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or |
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her person a handgun in a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned |
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by the person or under the person's control at any time in which: |
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(1) the handgun is in plain view, unless the person is |
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legally authorized [licensed] to carry a handgun [under Subchapter
|
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H, Chapter 411, Government Code], and the handgun is carried in a |
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[shoulder or belt] holster; or |
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(2) the person is: |
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(A) engaged in criminal activity, other than a |
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Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance |
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regulating traffic or boating; |
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(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm; |
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or |
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(C) a member of a criminal street gang, as |
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defined by Section 71.01. |
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SECTION 13. Sections 46.03(e-1) and (e-2), Penal Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(e-1) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(5) |
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that the actor: |
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(1) possessed, at the screening checkpoint for the |
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secured area, a [concealed] handgun that the actor was legally |
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authorized [licensed] to carry [under Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
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Government Code]; and |
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(2) exited the screening checkpoint for the secured |
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area immediately on [upon] completion of the required screening |
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processes and notification that the actor possessed the handgun. |
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(e-2) A peace officer investigating conduct that may |
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constitute an offense under Subsection (a)(5) and that consists |
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only of an actor's possession of a [concealed] handgun that the |
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actor is legally authorized [licensed] to carry [under Subchapter
|
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H, Chapter 411, Government Code,] may not arrest the actor for the |
|
offense unless: |
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(1) the officer advises the actor of the defense |
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available under Subsection (e-1) and gives the actor an opportunity |
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to exit the screening checkpoint for the secured area; and |
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(2) the actor does not immediately exit the checkpoint |
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on [upon] completion of the required screening processes. |
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SECTION 14. The heading to Section 46.035, Penal Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER |
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OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO CARRY HANDGUN. |
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SECTION 15. Sections 46.035(a), (b), (c), (d), (i), and |
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(l), Penal Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person who is a license holder or otherwise legally |
|
authorized to carry a handgun commits an offense if the person |
|
[license holder] carries a handgun [on or about the license
|
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holder's person under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
|
Government Code,] and intentionally displays the handgun in plain |
|
view of another person in a public place. It is an exception to the |
|
application of this subsection that the handgun was partially or |
|
wholly visible but was carried in a [shoulder or belt] holster [by
|
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the license holder]. |
|
(b) A person who is a license holder or otherwise legally |
|
authorized to carry a handgun commits an offense if the person |
|
[license holder] intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a |
|
handgun [under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
|
Government Code], regardless of whether the handgun is concealed or |
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carried in a [shoulder or belt] holster[, on or about the license
|
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holder's person]: |
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(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or |
|
license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic |
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Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its |
|
income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for |
|
on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code; |
|
(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, |
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or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking |
|
place, unless the person [license holder] is a participant in the |
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event and a handgun is used in the event; |
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(3) on the premises of a correctional facility; |
|
(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under |
|
Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing |
|
facility licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless |
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the person [license holder] has written authorization of the |
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hospital or nursing facility administration, as appropriate; or |
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(5) in an amusement park[; or
|
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[(6)
on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other
|
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established place of religious worship]. |
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(c) A person who is a license holder or otherwise legally |
|
authorized to carry a handgun commits an offense if the person |
|
[license holder] intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a |
|
handgun [under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
|
Government Code], regardless of whether the handgun is concealed or |
|
carried in a [shoulder or belt] holster, in the room or rooms where |
|
a meeting of a governmental entity is held and if the meeting is an |
|
open meeting subject to Chapter 551, Government Code, and the |
|
entity provided notice as required by that chapter. |
|
(d) A person who is a license holder or otherwise legally |
|
authorized to carry a handgun commits an offense if the person[,
|
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while intoxicated, the license holder] carries a handgun while the |
|
person is intoxicated [under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter
|
|
411, Government Code], regardless of whether the handgun is |
|
concealed or carried in a [shoulder or belt] holster. |
|
(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), [(b)(6),] and (c) do not |
|
apply to a license holder who [if the actor] was not given effective |
|
notice under Section 30.06 or 30.07. |
|
(l) Subsection (b)(2) does not apply to a license holder on |
|
the premises where a collegiate sporting event is taking place if |
|
the license holder [actor] was not given effective notice under |
|
Section 30.06. |
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SECTION 16. Section 46.035(h-1), Penal Code, as added by |
|
Chapter 1222 (H.B. 2300), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2007, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(h-1) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsections |
|
(b)(1), (2), (4), and (5) [(4)-(6),] and (c) that at the time of the |
|
commission of the offense, the actor was: |
|
(1) a judge or justice of a federal court; |
|
(2) an active judicial officer, as defined by Section |
|
411.201, Government Code; or |
|
(3) a district attorney, assistant district attorney, |
|
criminal district attorney, assistant criminal district attorney, |
|
county attorney, or assistant county attorney. |
|
SECTION 17. Sections 46.15(a) and (b), Penal Code, are |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Sections 46.02, [and] 46.03, and 46.035 do not apply to: |
|
(1) peace officers or special investigators under |
|
Article 2.122, Code of Criminal Procedure, and neither section |
|
prohibits a peace officer or special investigator from carrying a |
|
weapon in this state, including in an establishment in this state |
|
serving the public, regardless of whether the peace officer or |
|
special investigator is engaged in the actual discharge of the |
|
officer's or investigator's duties while carrying the weapon; |
|
(2) parole officers and neither section prohibits an |
|
officer from carrying a weapon in this state if the officer is: |
|
(A) engaged in the actual discharge of the |
|
officer's duties while carrying the weapon; and |
|
(B) in compliance with policies and procedures |
|
adopted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice regarding the |
|
possession of a weapon by an officer while on duty; |
|
(3) community supervision and corrections department |
|
officers appointed or employed under Section 76.004, Government |
|
Code, and neither section prohibits an officer from carrying a |
|
weapon in this state if the officer is: |
|
(A) engaged in the actual discharge of the |
|
officer's duties while carrying the weapon; and |
|
(B) authorized to carry a weapon under Section |
|
76.0051, Government Code; |
|
(4) an active judicial officer as defined by Section |
|
411.201, Government Code, who is licensed to carry a handgun under |
|
Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code; |
|
(5) an honorably retired peace officer, qualified |
|
retired law enforcement officer, federal criminal investigator, or |
|
former reserve law enforcement officer who holds a certificate of |
|
proficiency issued under Section 1701.357, Occupations Code, and is |
|
carrying a photo identification that is issued by a federal, state, |
|
or local law enforcement agency, as applicable, and that verifies |
|
that the officer is: |
|
(A) an honorably retired peace officer; |
|
(B) a qualified retired law enforcement officer; |
|
(C) a federal criminal investigator; or |
|
(D) a former reserve law enforcement officer who |
|
has served in that capacity not less than a total of 15 years with |
|
one or more state or local law enforcement agencies; |
|
(6) a district attorney, criminal district attorney, |
|
county attorney, or municipal attorney who is licensed to carry a |
|
handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code; |
|
(7) an assistant district attorney, assistant |
|
criminal district attorney, or assistant county attorney who is |
|
licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, |
|
Government Code; |
|
(8) a bailiff designated by an active judicial officer |
|
as defined by Section 411.201, Government Code, who is: |
|
(A) licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter |
|
H, Chapter 411, Government Code; and |
|
(B) engaged in escorting the judicial officer; or |
|
(9) a juvenile probation officer who is authorized to |
|
carry a firearm under Section 142.006, Human Resources Code. |
|
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who: |
|
(1) is in the actual discharge of official duties as a |
|
member of the armed forces or state military forces as defined by |
|
Section 437.001, Government Code, or as a guard employed by a penal |
|
institution; |
|
(2) is traveling; |
|
(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other |
|
sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is |
|
conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's |
|
residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type |
|
commonly used in the activity; |
|
(4) holds a security officer commission issued by the |
|
Texas Private Security Board, if the person is engaged in the |
|
performance of the person's duties as an officer commissioned under |
|
Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, or is traveling to or from the |
|
person's place of assignment and is wearing the officer's uniform |
|
and carrying the officer's weapon in plain view; |
|
(5) acts as a personal protection officer and carries |
|
the person's security officer commission and personal protection |
|
officer authorization, if the person: |
|
(A) is engaged in the performance of the person's |
|
duties as a personal protection officer under Chapter 1702, |
|
Occupations Code, or is traveling to or from the person's place of |
|
assignment; and |
|
(B) is either: |
|
(i) wearing the uniform of a security |
|
officer, including any uniform or apparel described by Section |
|
1702.323(d), Occupations Code, and carrying the officer's weapon in |
|
plain view; or |
|
(ii) not wearing the uniform of a security |
|
officer and carrying the officer's weapon in a concealed manner; |
|
(6) is [carrying:
|
|
[(A)] a license holder [issued] under Subchapter |
|
H, Chapter 411, Government Code, [to carry a handgun;] and is |
|
carrying |
|
[(B)] a handgun: |
|
(A) [(i)] in a concealed manner; or |
|
(B) [(ii)] in a [shoulder or belt] holster; |
|
(7) is at least 21 years of age and: |
|
(A) has not been convicted of a felony; |
|
(B) is fully qualified under applicable federal |
|
law to purchase and possess a handgun; |
|
(C) meets the requirements under Sections |
|
411.172(a)(1)-(13), Government Code; |
|
(D) is not a member of a criminal street gang, as |
|
defined by Section 71.01; and |
|
(E) is carrying a handgun: |
|
(i) in a concealed manner; or |
|
(ii) in a holster; |
|
(8) holds an alcoholic beverage permit or license or |
|
is an employee of a holder of an alcoholic beverage permit or |
|
license if the person is supervising the operation of the permitted |
|
or licensed premises; or |
|
(9) [(8)] is a student in a law enforcement class |
|
engaging in an activity required as part of the class, if the weapon |
|
is a type commonly used in the activity and the person is: |
|
(A) on the immediate premises where the activity |
|
is conducted; or |
|
(B) en route between those premises and the |
|
person's residence and is carrying the weapon unloaded. |
|
SECTION 18. The following provisions are repealed: |
|
(1) Sections 11.041, 11.61(e), 61.11, and 61.71(f), |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Code; and |
|
(2) Section 411.204(d), Government Code. |
|
SECTION 19. The changes in law made by this Act relating to |
|
the authority of a person to carry a handgun apply to the carrying |
|
of a handgun on or after the effective date of this Act by any person |
|
who may legally carry a handgun under this Act. |
|
SECTION 20. The changes in law made by this Act apply only |
|
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
|
governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and |
|
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
|
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
|
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
|
before that date. |
|
SECTION 21. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |