NRA/TSRA Update on Castle Doctrine and this bill
By an overwhelming 133-13 vote, the Texas State House gave final approval this week to Senate Bill 378, the NRA-backed "Castle Doctrine" self-defense bill sponsored by State Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) and carried by State Representative Joe Driver (R-Garland) in the House. This important legislation offers protection from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits to victims who lawfully use force to protect themselves and their families. SB 378 has been sent to Governor Rick Perry (R) for his expected signature.
Thanks to the hard work of our bill sponsors and all the calls and emails in support of this measure from NRA members, Texas became the first state to pass a "Castle Doctrine" bill this year! Be sure to thank your State Representative if he or she supported SB 378 - a list of those House members who voted FOR the bill can be found at
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/hjrnl/80r/pdf/80RDAY40FINAL.PDF#page=5
Also, NRA-backed legislation allowing employees who are Concealed Handgun Licensees to transport and store handguns in their private vehicles while parked on their employer's property, advanced out of both House and Senate committees this week. House Bill 220 by State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) and House Bill 992 by State Representative Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs) were reported out of the House Law Enforcement Committee on Monday. The bill now moves to the House Calendars Committee, which determines if and when bills will be considered on the House floor. These bills face unprecedented opposition from big corporate interests and state agency lobbyists.
Please contact the members of the House Law Enforcement Committee who supported these bills and thank them, and please also contact the members of the House Calendars Committee and urge them to set HB 220 and HB 992 for House floor action!
House Law Enforcement Committee Members Who Supported HB 220 and HB 992 - Thank You!
State Representative Joe Driver (Chair)
512-463-0574;
[email protected]
State Representative Thomas Latham (Vice-Chair)
512-463-0464;
[email protected]
State Representative Stephen Frost
512-463-0692;
[email protected]
State Representative Solomon Ortiz, Jr.
512-463-0484;
[email protected]
State Representative Buddy West
512-463-0546;
[email protected]
House Calendars Committee Members - Ask Them To Please Set HB 220 and HB 992 for House Floor Consideration!
State Representative Beverly Woolley (Chair)
512-463-0696;
[email protected]
State Representative Norma Chavez (Vice-Chair)
512-463-0622;
[email protected]
State Representative Dan Branch
512-463-0367;
[email protected]
State Representative Myra Crownover
512-463-0582;
[email protected]
State Representative Gary Elkins
512-463-0722;
[email protected]
State Representative Ryan Guillen
512-463-0416;
[email protected]
State Representative Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton
512-463-0412;
[email protected]
State Representative Larry Taylor
512-463-0729;
[email protected]
State Representative Corbin Van Arsdale
512-463-0661;
[email protected]
Finally, Senate Bill 534, sponsored by State Senator Glenn Hegar (R-Katy), which is similar to HB 992, was approved by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday. The bill now moves to the full Senate, but 21 out of 31 Senators must agree to suspend the regular order of business and bring the bill to the floor for consideration - that's a 2/3 vote! As we said before, industry lobbyists will be pulling out all the stops to prevent this bill from coming to the full Senate for a vote.
Please contact the members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee who were present and who supported SB 534 and thank them. Then, please contact your State Senators and urge them to support SB 534.
Senate Criminal Justice Committee Members Who Supported SB 534 - Thank You!
(Note: Pro-Gun Senators John Carona and Bob Deuell were presenting legislation in other committees when the vote was taken)
State Senator John Whitmire (Chair)
512-463-0115;
[email protected]
State Senator Kel Seliger
512-463-0131;
[email protected]
State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
512-463-0120;
[email protected]
State Senator Glenn Hegar (the sponsor of HB 534)
512-463-0118;
[email protected]
State Senator Contact Information - Urge Them To Support SB 534!
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members.htm