TSRA-Backed Suppressor Bill
Headed to Governor Abbott
Last night, Friday, May 19th, at 8:55 p.m. the Texas House Passed HB 1819, authored by Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) with senate sponsor, Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) plus an amendment by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls).
HB 1819 sets up Texas law in preparation for the Hearing Protection Act to pass in Congress. The Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors, also known as silencers, from NFA requirements. This means the purchaser of a suppressor would not be required to pay the dealer a deposit, fill out the form 4, send BATF $200 and then wait for as long as 6 months for the application to be processed, the "tax stamp" issued and the purchase finalized. Again, we're only talking about suppressors.
HB 1819 History with Co-Author's List
The US Congress, under current administration, is expected to act and when the change occurs Texas law will be ready to accommodate the change. This means law-abiding Texans wanting a suppressor for a firearm will show their LTC or submit to NICS as though they were purchasing a firearm in order to purchase a suppressor. No registration, no $200 tax.
But wait, there's more!
It was brought to our attention by TSRA members that the Mossberg 590 Shockwave cannot be purchased in two states: Texas and Ohio.
With the problem in mind, Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) offered a senate amendment to the House bill which corrects existing state law.
The addition of the senate amendment caused HB1819 to be returned to the House for concurrence and at 8:55 last night HB1819 with the amendment was accepted! The amendment will allow Texans to purchase this defensive shotgun.
Finally
With one week left in session, we have 4 senate bills still in play: SB 263 by Perry and Springer to remove the caliber requirement for LTC qualification; SB 349 by Creighton and Metcalf to correct roving gun-free zones due to weak "school activity" language; SB 1736 by Hughes and Springer to provide limited immunity for a business which choses not to make it's property off-limits to handgun licensees; and SB 1942 by Hughes and Hefner which would finally protect the jobs of hardworking primary and secondary teachers wanting to have their licensed handgun, stored out of sight in their personal vehicle when parked on their employer's parking lot. One of the last groups in Texas to be afforded this protection!
It ain't over till it's over! Many thanks to Tara Mica with NRA for working with Senator Estes on the shotgun amendment.
As of today, 6800 bills were filed and only 77 have reached the Governor's desk.
Your Texas State Rifle Association
The Legislative agenda, the membership, and funding are All about Texas.
Join, renew or upgrade your membership at www.tsra.com, or 512-615-4200 and talk with Kim. Don't forget the TSRA-PAC. The election cycle is just around the corner.
And as always,
Keep the faith.
Alice Tripp
Legislative Director
Texas State Rifle Association
Regards,
hm
Headed to Governor Abbott
Last night, Friday, May 19th, at 8:55 p.m. the Texas House Passed HB 1819, authored by Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) with senate sponsor, Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) plus an amendment by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls).
HB 1819 sets up Texas law in preparation for the Hearing Protection Act to pass in Congress. The Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors, also known as silencers, from NFA requirements. This means the purchaser of a suppressor would not be required to pay the dealer a deposit, fill out the form 4, send BATF $200 and then wait for as long as 6 months for the application to be processed, the "tax stamp" issued and the purchase finalized. Again, we're only talking about suppressors.
HB 1819 History with Co-Author's List
The US Congress, under current administration, is expected to act and when the change occurs Texas law will be ready to accommodate the change. This means law-abiding Texans wanting a suppressor for a firearm will show their LTC or submit to NICS as though they were purchasing a firearm in order to purchase a suppressor. No registration, no $200 tax.
But wait, there's more!
It was brought to our attention by TSRA members that the Mossberg 590 Shockwave cannot be purchased in two states: Texas and Ohio.
With the problem in mind, Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) offered a senate amendment to the House bill which corrects existing state law.
The addition of the senate amendment caused HB1819 to be returned to the House for concurrence and at 8:55 last night HB1819 with the amendment was accepted! The amendment will allow Texans to purchase this defensive shotgun.
Finally
With one week left in session, we have 4 senate bills still in play: SB 263 by Perry and Springer to remove the caliber requirement for LTC qualification; SB 349 by Creighton and Metcalf to correct roving gun-free zones due to weak "school activity" language; SB 1736 by Hughes and Springer to provide limited immunity for a business which choses not to make it's property off-limits to handgun licensees; and SB 1942 by Hughes and Hefner which would finally protect the jobs of hardworking primary and secondary teachers wanting to have their licensed handgun, stored out of sight in their personal vehicle when parked on their employer's parking lot. One of the last groups in Texas to be afforded this protection!
It ain't over till it's over! Many thanks to Tara Mica with NRA for working with Senator Estes on the shotgun amendment.
As of today, 6800 bills were filed and only 77 have reached the Governor's desk.
Your Texas State Rifle Association
The Legislative agenda, the membership, and funding are All about Texas.
Join, renew or upgrade your membership at www.tsra.com, or 512-615-4200 and talk with Kim. Don't forget the TSRA-PAC. The election cycle is just around the corner.
And as always,
Keep the faith.
Alice Tripp
Legislative Director
Texas State Rifle Association
Regards,
hm