The 81st session of the Texas Legislature is under way at the Capitol here in Austin. And it’s going to be an exceptionally busy session too.

On the House side, a total of 4697 bills were filed, up 18% from the 2007 session, in which 3,977 made it to the clerk’s office (via Elise Hu). On the Senate side, Senators filed 2,447 bills, up 26% from last session’s 1,944.

That’s a grand total of 7,144, bills for a combined chamber increase of 21%.

The Bill That’s Missing

With all of those bill filed, I’m more than disappointed that one of them isn’t the already-authored Licensed Open Carry bill. The current drafted bill by Representative Debbie Riddle (R) couldn’t find a single member to file it. Not even Rep. Riddle.

This bill would give Texans who posses a valid Concealed Handgun License to open carry. For whatever, reason, our state lawmakers do not want to give Texans the opportunity to voice their opinions and vote on this law — a right, by the way, that is allowed in some form or another in 44 states.

Second Amendment-related Bills

A number of handgun-related bills were filed by the 81st Texas Legislature, though. Many of them are aimed at expanding the too-narrow rights spelled out in the second amendment.

The second amendment-related bills that I’m tracking (there are many more not listed here) this session are:

Allowing Guns on Campus

SB 1164 and HB 1893 — Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education — These bills would allow those with a valid concealed handgun license to carry their concealed handguns while on state colleges and universities. Gun free zones, which campuses are now, are gun free zones only for law abiding citizens.

Gunmen at Columbine and Virginia Tech clearly illustrate the need for students and faculty to be able to defend themselves and their fellow students from life-threatening situations.

Status:

SB 1164 Senator Seliger was assigned as Co-author of the bill. Has not been referred to a committee.

HB 1893 has been referred to the Public Safety Committee, chaired by Rep. Tommy Merritt (R).

What to do with Your Gun While You’re at Work

HB 1301 and SB 730 — Relating to an employee’s transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee’s employer — currently, employers can prohibit Texans from keeping their guns locked up in their cars while they are at work.

Under current Texas law, it’s legal to transport a concealed weapon in your vehicle. (via Grits for Breakfast) “If the gun is legal, you’re not a crook, you’re driving your own car, and if the gun is stowed (i.e., you’re not driving around with it laying on the passenger seat like an idiot), then you can carry a gun in your car when you’re driving.”

However, under current Texas law, your company or business could prohibit you from keeping your gun locked up in your car. Which created a dilemma for those with a concealed handgun license — what to do with you handgun when you got to the office?

Status:

SB 730 was considered in a public hearing o March 18 in the Criminal Justice Committee. I’ll call Sen. John Whitmire’s (D) office tomorrow to find out how the hearing went (Whitmire is the chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee).

HB 1301 is scheduled for public hearing on March 23.

Perpetual Handgun License

HB 3777 — Relating to a perpetual license to carry a concealed handgun — This bill would create a new class of concealed handgun license. A perpetual license issued in accordance with the procedure established under this bill does not expire and is not subject to renewal. The fee for a a renewable license is $140 or $300 for a perpetual license.

I think a lot of gun owners will opt for the perpetual license, if for no other reason than having to deal with the hassle of renewing their license.

Status: Has not been referred to a committee.

Concealed Carry for the Disabled

HB 3684 — Relating to the carrying of a handgun by a disabled person — This bill provides for a designation on the concealed handgun license of a person with a disability authorizing the person to carry a handgun without having to conceal the handgun if the person’s disability prevents the person from effectively concealing the handgun.

If this passes, at least someone in Texas would be allowed to Open Carry…

Status: Has not been referred to a committee.

Tax Free Guns and Ammo

SB 1788 — Relating to an exemption from the sales tax on handguns, rifles, shotguns, and ammunition —This bill exempts the sale of a handgun, a rifle, a shotgun, or ammunition for a handgun, rifle, or shotgun from sales tax if the sale takes place during a period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the Friday preceding the second to last Monday in August and ending at 11:59 p.m. on the second to last Sunday in August.

The only thing better than a shiny new gun? A tax-free shiny new gun.

Status: Has not been referred to a committee.

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If you support any of these bills, all of which expand second amendment rights and get us closer to “shall not infringe”, please contact your state senator and representative and ask them to support these bills.

(Cross-posted at Urbangrounds)