Legislator Concealed Carry: good for me, but not for thee

Yesterday, the Texas Senate passed at bill allowing Texas legislators and other “special people” to carry concealed into bars, sporting events, and any government meeting where “regular” licensees cannot.

Senate Bill 905, passed 25-6, amends Texas Penal Code, Section 46.035 to explicitly allow the following government representatives to carry in: bars; high school, college and professional sporting events; and any government meeting.

• Federal judges.
• An “active judicial officer as defined by Section 411.201, Government Code”.
• District and county attorneys.
• U.S. attorneys.
• Members of legislature.
• Any “noncommissioned employee [not law enforcement] of the Department of Public Safety, designated by the director of the department.”

Current law already exempts the first three special classes. SB 905 adds three additional special classes of government employees who will be able to carry where you can’t.

Based on the list below, you may want to call in your praise or complaint.

Yeas: Carona, Deuell, Duncan, Eltife, Estes, Fraser, Gallegos, Harris, Hegar, Hinojosa, Huffman, Jackson, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Patrick, Seliger, Shapiro, Uresti, VanideiPutte, Watson, West, Whitmire, Williams, Zaffirini.

Nays: Birdwell, Davis, Ellis, Ogden, Rodriguez, Wentworth.

Larry Arnold, of the Texas Concealed Handgun Association, has posted all concealed carry-related bills. Check it out for the most up-to-date information, as many bills are moving fast because time is running out for new bills in this year’s legislature. There are many more bills, dealing with legislators, judges, and school board members being able to carry where you can’t.