|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to granting authority to carry a firearm to an unlicensed |
|
person who otherwise meets certain requirements for a handgun |
|
license and to related criminal offenses; creating a criminal |
|
offense. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 506, Business & Commerce Code, as added |
|
by Chapter 794 (H.B. 2739), Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 506. LICENSE TO CARRY [CONCEALED] HANDGUN [LICENSES] AS |
|
VALID FORM [FORMS] OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION |
|
Sec. 506.001. [CONCEALED HANDGUN] LICENSE TO CARRY HANDGUN |
|
AS VALID PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION. (a) A person may not deny the |
|
holder of a [concealed] handgun license issued under Subchapter H, |
|
Chapter 411, Government Code, access to goods, services, or |
|
facilities, except as provided by Section 521.460, Transportation |
|
Code, or in regard to the operation of a motor vehicle, because the |
|
holder has or presents a [concealed] handgun license rather than a |
|
driver's license or other acceptable form of personal |
|
identification. |
|
(b) This section does not affect: |
|
(1) the requirement under Section 411.205, Government |
|
Code, that a person subject to that section present a driver's |
|
license or identification certificate or other proof of identity on |
|
the request of a magistrate or peace officer [in addition to a
|
|
concealed handgun license]; or |
|
(2) the types of identification required under federal |
|
law to access airport premises or pass through airport security. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 51.220(g), Education Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(g) A public junior college employee's status as a school |
|
marshal becomes inactive on: |
|
(1) expiration of the employee's school marshal |
|
license under Section 1701.260, Occupations Code; |
|
(2) suspension or revocation of the employee's license |
|
to carry a [concealed] handgun issued under Subchapter H, Chapter |
|
411, Government Code; |
|
(3) termination of the employee's employment with the |
|
public junior college; or |
|
(4) notice from the governing board of the public |
|
junior college that the employee's services as school marshal are |
|
no longer required. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 231.302(c-1), Family Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(c-1) For purposes of issuing a license to carry a |
|
[concealed] handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government |
|
Code, the Department of Public Safety is not required to request, |
|
and an applicant is not required to provide, the applicant's social |
|
security number. |
|
SECTION 4. The heading to Subchapter H, Chapter 411, |
|
Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER H. LICENSE TO CARRY [A] HANDGUN AND OTHER PROVISIONS |
|
RELATING TO CARRYING OF FIREARMS |
|
SECTION 5. Sections 411.1741(a) and (b), Government Code, |
|
are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) When a person applies for an original or renewal license |
|
to carry a [concealed] handgun under this subchapter, the person |
|
may make a voluntary contribution in any amount to the fund for |
|
veterans' assistance established by Section 434.017. |
|
(b) The department shall: |
|
(1) include space on the first page of each |
|
application for an original or renewal license to carry a |
|
[concealed] handgun that allows a person applying for an original |
|
or renewal license to carry a [concealed] handgun to indicate the |
|
amount that the person is voluntarily contributing to the fund; and |
|
(2) provide an opportunity for the person to |
|
contribute to the fund during the application process for an |
|
original or renewal license to carry a [concealed] handgun on the |
|
department's Internet website. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 411.190(c), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) In the manner applicable to a person who applies for a |
|
license to carry a handgun, the department shall conduct a |
|
background check of a person who applies for certification as a |
|
qualified handgun instructor. If the background check indicates |
|
that the applicant for certification would not qualify to receive a |
|
handgun license, the department may not certify the applicant as a |
|
qualified handgun instructor. If the background check indicates |
|
that the applicant for certification would qualify to receive a |
|
handgun license, the department shall provide handgun instructor |
|
training to the applicant. The applicant shall pay a fee of $100 to |
|
the department for the training. The applicant must take and |
|
successfully complete the training offered by the department and |
|
pay the training fee before the department may certify the |
|
applicant as a qualified handgun instructor. The department shall |
|
issue a license to carry a handgun under [the authority of] this |
|
subchapter to any person who is certified as a qualified handgun |
|
instructor and who pays to the department a fee of $100 in addition |
|
to the training fee. The department by rule may prorate or waive |
|
the training fee for an employee of another governmental entity. |
|
SECTION 7. Sections 411.201(c), (e), and (h), Government |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) An active judicial officer is eligible for a license to |
|
carry a handgun under [the authority of] this subchapter. A retired |
|
judicial officer is eligible for a license to carry a handgun under |
|
[the authority of] this subchapter if the officer: |
|
(1) has not been convicted of a felony; |
|
(2) has not, in the five years preceding the date of |
|
application, been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or |
|
equivalent offense; |
|
(3) is not charged with the commission of a Class A or |
|
Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense or of a felony under an |
|
information or indictment; |
|
(4) is not a chemically dependent person; and |
|
(5) is not a person of unsound mind. |
|
(e) On receipt of all the application materials required by |
|
this section, the department shall: |
|
(1) if the applicant is an active judicial officer, |
|
issue a license to carry a handgun under [the authority of] this |
|
subchapter; or |
|
(2) if the applicant is a retired judicial officer, |
|
conduct an appropriate background investigation to determine the |
|
applicant's eligibility for the license and, if the applicant is |
|
eligible, issue a license to carry a handgun under [the authority
|
|
of] this subchapter. |
|
(h) The department shall issue a license to carry a handgun |
|
under [the authority of] this subchapter to an elected attorney |
|
representing the state in the prosecution of felony cases who meets |
|
the requirements of this section for an active judicial officer. |
|
The department shall waive any fee required for the issuance of an |
|
original, duplicate, or renewed license under this subchapter for |
|
an applicant who is an attorney elected or employed to represent the |
|
state in the prosecution of felony cases. |
|
SECTION 8. Section 411.203, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 411.203. RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS. (a) This subchapter |
|
does not prevent or otherwise limit the right of a public or private |
|
employer to prohibit persons who are licensed under this subchapter |
|
or otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun or other firearm |
|
from carrying a handgun or other firearm on the premises of the |
|
business. |
|
(b) In this section, "premises" has the meaning assigned by |
|
Section 46.035(f) [46.035(f)(3)], Penal Code. |
|
SECTION 9. Section 411.204(c), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) The sign required under Subsections (a) and (b) must |
|
give notice in both English and Spanish that it is unlawful for a |
|
person, including a person licensed under this subchapter or a |
|
person otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun, to carry a |
|
handgun on the premises. The sign must appear in contrasting colors |
|
with block letters at least one inch in height and must include on |
|
its face the number "51" printed in solid red at least five inches |
|
in height. The sign shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner |
|
clearly visible to the public. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 411.205, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY IDENTIFICATION AND |
|
HANDGUN LICENSE. If a person [license holder] is carrying a handgun |
|
[on or about the license holder's person] when a magistrate or a |
|
peace officer demands that the person [license holder] display |
|
identification, the person [license holder] shall display [both] |
|
the person's [license holder's] driver's license or identification |
|
certificate issued by the department or other proof of identity. If |
|
the person is a license holder under this subchapter and is carrying |
|
the person's handgun license, the person also shall display [and] |
|
the person's [license holder's] handgun license. |
|
SECTION 11. The heading to Section 411.206, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 411.206. SEIZURE OF HANDGUN AND HANDGUN LICENSE. |
|
SECTION 12. Sections 411.206(a) and (c), Government Code, |
|
are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) If a peace officer arrests and takes into custody a |
|
person [license holder] who is carrying a handgun [under the
|
|
authority of this subchapter], the officer shall seize the person's |
|
[license holder's] handgun and, if the person is a license holder |
|
under this subchapter and is carrying the person's handgun license, |
|
the person's handgun license as evidence. |
|
(c) Any judgment of conviction entered by any court for an |
|
offense under Section 46.035, Penal Code, must contain the handgun |
|
license number of the convicted person, if the person is a handgun |
|
license holder. A certified copy of the judgment is conclusive and |
|
sufficient evidence to justify revocation of a license under |
|
Section 411.186(a)(4). |
|
SECTION 13. Sections 411.207(a), (b), and (c), Government |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of |
|
the officer's official duties may disarm a person, including a |
|
license holder, who is carrying a handgun at any time the officer |
|
reasonably believes it is necessary for the protection of the |
|
person [license holder], officer, or another individual. The peace |
|
officer shall return the handgun to the person [license holder] |
|
before discharging the person [license holder] from the scene if |
|
the officer determines that the person: |
|
(1) [license holder] is not a threat to the officer, |
|
person [license holder], or another individual; |
|
(2) [and if the license holder] has not violated any |
|
provision of this subchapter or committed any other violation that |
|
results in the arrest of the person; and |
|
(3) is a license holder or otherwise legally |
|
authorized to carry a handgun. |
|
(b) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of |
|
the officer's official duties may [temporarily] disarm only |
|
temporarily a person who is a license holder or otherwise legally |
|
authorized to carry a handgun when the person [a license holder] |
|
enters a nonpublic, secure portion of a law enforcement facility. |
|
The[, if the] law enforcement agency shall provide [provides] a gun |
|
locker where the peace officer can secure the person's [license
|
|
holder's] handgun. The peace officer shall secure the handgun in |
|
the locker and shall return the handgun to the person [license
|
|
holder] immediately after the person [license holder] leaves the |
|
nonpublic, secure portion of the law enforcement facility. |
|
(c) A law enforcement facility shall prominently display at |
|
each entrance to a nonpublic, secure portion of the facility a sign |
|
that gives notice in both English and Spanish that, under this |
|
section, a peace officer may temporarily disarm a person who is a |
|
license holder or otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun |
|
when the person [license holder] enters the nonpublic, secure |
|
portion of the facility. The sign must appear in contrasting colors |
|
with block letters at least one inch in height. The sign shall be |
|
displayed in a clearly visible and conspicuous manner. |
|
SECTION 14. The heading to Section 411.209, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 411.209. WRONGFUL EXCLUSION OF PERSON LEGALLY |
|
AUTHORIZED TO CARRY [CONCEALED] HANDGUN [LICENSE HOLDER]. |
|
SECTION 15. Sections 411.209(a) and (d), Government Code, |
|
are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A state agency or a political subdivision of the state |
|
may not provide notice by a communication described by Section |
|
30.06 or 30.07, Penal Code, or by any sign expressly referring to |
|
either of those provisions [that law or to a concealed handgun
|
|
license], that a person who is [license holder] carrying a handgun |
|
[under the authority of this subchapter] is prohibited from |
|
entering or remaining on a premises or other place owned or leased |
|
by the governmental entity unless a person is [license holders are] |
|
prohibited from carrying a handgun on the premises or other place by |
|
Section 46.03 or 46.035, Penal Code, or other law. |
|
(d) A resident [citizen] of this state or a person licensed |
|
to carry a [concealed] handgun under this subchapter may file a |
|
complaint with the attorney general that a state agency or |
|
political subdivision is in violation of Subsection (a) if the |
|
resident [citizen] or license holder [person] provides the agency |
|
or subdivision a written notice that describes the violation and |
|
specific location of the sign found to be in violation and the |
|
agency or subdivision does not cure the violation before the end of |
|
the third business day after the date of receiving the written |
|
notice. A complaint filed under this subsection must include |
|
evidence of the violation and a copy of the written notice. |
|
SECTION 16. Section 12.092(b), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The medical advisory board shall assist the Department |
|
of Public Safety of the State of Texas in determining whether: |
|
(1) an applicant for a driver's license or a license |
|
holder is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle; or |
|
(2) an applicant for or holder of a license to carry a |
|
handgun under [the authority of] Subchapter H, Chapter 411, |
|
Government Code, or an applicant for or holder of a commission as a |
|
security officer under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is capable |
|
of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and |
|
storage of a handgun. |
|
SECTION 17. Section 42.042(e-2), Human Resources Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(e-2) The department may not prohibit the foster parent of a |
|
child who resides in the foster family's home from transporting the |
|
child in a vehicle where a handgun is present if the handgun is in |
|
the possession and control of the foster parent and the foster |
|
parent is licensed to carry the handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter |
|
411, Government Code, or is otherwise legally authorized to carry a |
|
handgun. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 52.062(a), Labor Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) Section 52.061 does not: |
|
(1) authorize a person who holds a license to carry a |
|
handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, who |
|
otherwise lawfully possesses a firearm, or who lawfully possesses |
|
ammunition to possess a firearm or ammunition on any property where |
|
the possession of a firearm or ammunition is prohibited by state or |
|
federal law; or |
|
(2) apply to: |
|
(A) a vehicle owned or leased by a public or |
|
private employer and used by an employee in the course and scope of |
|
the employee's employment, unless the employee is required to |
|
transport or store a firearm in the official discharge of the |
|
employee's duties; |
|
(B) a school district; |
|
(C) an open-enrollment charter school, as |
|
defined by Section 5.001, Education Code; |
|
(D) a private school, as defined by Section |
|
22.081, Education Code; |
|
(E) property owned or controlled by a person, |
|
other than the employer, that is subject to a valid, unexpired oil, |
|
gas, or other mineral lease that contains a provision prohibiting |
|
the possession of firearms on the property; or |
|
(F) property owned or leased by a chemical |
|
manufacturer or oil and gas refiner with an air authorization under |
|
Chapter 382, Health and Safety Code, and on which the primary |
|
business conducted is the manufacture, use, storage, or |
|
transportation of hazardous, combustible, or explosive materials, |
|
except in regard to an employee who holds a license to carry a |
|
handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, who |
|
otherwise lawfully possesses a firearm, or who lawfully possesses |
|
ammunition and who stores the [a] firearm or ammunition [the
|
|
employee is authorized by law to possess] in a locked, privately |
|
owned motor vehicle in a parking lot, parking garage, or other |
|
parking area the employer provides for employees that is outside of |
|
a secured and restricted area: |
|
(i) that contains the physical plant; |
|
(ii) that is not open to the public; and |
|
(iii) the ingress into which is constantly |
|
monitored by security personnel. |
|
SECTION 19. Section 191.010(a), Local Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section, "photo identification" means one of the |
|
following forms of photo identification: |
|
(1) a driver's license, election identification |
|
certificate, or personal identification card issued to the person |
|
by any state or territory of the United States that has not expired |
|
or that expired no earlier than 60 days before the date of |
|
presentation; |
|
(2) a United States military identification card that |
|
contains the person's photograph that has not expired or that |
|
expired no earlier than 60 days before the date of presentation; |
|
(3) a United States citizenship certificate issued to |
|
the person that contains the person's photograph; |
|
(4) a United States Permanent Resident Card that has |
|
not expired or that expired no earlier than 60 days before the date |
|
of presentation; |
|
(5) an identification card issued by a municipality |
|
intended to serve as a general identification card for the holder |
|
that has not expired or that expired no earlier than 60 days before |
|
the date of presentation; |
|
(6) a federally recognized tribal enrollment card or |
|
other form of tribal identification that has not expired or that |
|
expired no earlier than 60 days before the date of presentation; |
|
(7) a United States passport or a passport issued by a |
|
foreign government recognized by the United States issued to the |
|
person that has not expired or that expired no earlier than 60 days |
|
before the date of presentation; or |
|
(8) a license to carry a [concealed] handgun issued to |
|
the person by the Department of Public Safety that has not expired |
|
or that expired no earlier than 60 days before the date of |
|
presentation. |
|
SECTION 20. Section 229.001(b), Local Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Subsection (a) does not affect the authority a |
|
municipality has under another law to: |
|
(1) require residents or public employees to be armed |
|
for personal or national defense, law enforcement, or another |
|
lawful purpose; |
|
(2) regulate the discharge of firearms or air guns |
|
within the limits of the municipality, other than at a sport |
|
shooting range; |
|
(3) regulate the use of property, the location of a |
|
business, or uses at a business under the municipality's fire code, |
|
zoning ordinance, or land-use regulations as long as the code, |
|
ordinance, or regulations are not used to circumvent the intent of |
|
Subsection (a) or Subdivision (5) of this subsection; |
|
(4) regulate the use of firearms, air guns, or knives |
|
in the case of an insurrection, riot, or natural disaster if the |
|
municipality finds the regulations necessary to protect public |
|
health and safety; |
|
(5) regulate the storage or transportation of |
|
explosives to protect public health and safety, except that 25 |
|
pounds or less of black powder for each private residence and 50 |
|
pounds or less of black powder for each retail dealer are not |
|
subject to regulation; |
|
(6) regulate the carrying of a firearm or air gun, [by
|
|
a person] other than a [person licensed to carry a] handgun carried |
|
by a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government |
|
Code, or by a person otherwise legally authorized to carry the |
|
handgun, at a: |
|
(A) public park; |
|
(B) public meeting of a municipality, county, or |
|
other governmental body; |
|
(C) political rally, parade, or official |
|
political meeting; or |
|
(D) nonfirearms-related school, college, or |
|
professional athletic event; |
|
(7) regulate the hours of operation of a sport |
|
shooting range, except that the hours of operation may not be more |
|
limited than the least limited hours of operation of any other |
|
business in the municipality other than a business permitted or |
|
licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises |
|
consumption; or |
|
(8) regulate the carrying of an air gun by a minor on: |
|
(A) public property; or |
|
(B) private property without consent of the |
|
property owner. |
|
SECTION 21. Sections 62.082(d) and (e), Parks and Wildlife |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) Section 62.081 does not apply to: |
|
(1) an employee of the Lower Colorado River Authority; |
|
(2) a person authorized to hunt under Subsection (c); |
|
(3) a peace officer as defined by Article 2.12, Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure; or |
|
(4) a person who: |
|
(A) is carrying [possesses] a handgun the person |
|
is legally authorized to carry [and a license issued under
|
|
Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to carry a handgun]; or |
|
(B) under circumstances in which the person would |
|
be justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9, Penal Code, |
|
shoots a handgun the person is legally authorized [licensed] to |
|
carry [under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code]. |
|
(e) A state agency, including the department, the |
|
Department of Public Safety, and the Lower Colorado River |
|
Authority, may not adopt a rule that prohibits a person [who
|
|
possesses a license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
|
Government Code,] from entering or crossing the land of the Lower |
|
Colorado River Authority while: |
|
(1) carrying [possessing] a handgun that the person is |
|
legally authorized to carry; or |
|
(2) under circumstances in which the person would be |
|
justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9, Penal Code, |
|
shooting a handgun. |
|
SECTION 22. Section 284.001(e), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(e) This section does not limit a person's [the] ability to |
|
carry a handgun if the person is legally authorized [of a license
|
|
holder] to carry a handgun [under the authority of Subchapter H,
|
|
Chapter 411, Government Code]. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 30.05(f), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(f) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that: |
|
(1) the basis on which entry on the property or land or |
|
in the building was forbidden is that entry with a firearm [handgun] |
|
was forbidden; and |
|
(2) the person was carrying only[:
|
|
[(A)
a license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter
|
|
411, Government Code, to carry a handgun; and
|
|
[(B)] a handgun that at the time of the offense |
|
the person was legally authorized to carry: |
|
(A) [(i)] in a concealed manner; or |
|
(B) [(ii)] in a shoulder or belt holster. |
|
SECTION 24. The heading to Section 30.06, Penal Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 30.06. TRESPASS BY PERSON [LICENSE HOLDER] WITH [A] |
|
CONCEALED HANDGUN. |
|
SECTION 25. Sections 30.06(a), (c), (d), and (e), Penal |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person [license holder] commits an offense if the |
|
person [license holder]: |
|
(1) carries a concealed handgun [under the authority
|
|
of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,] on property of |
|
another without effective consent; and |
|
(2) received notice that entry on the property by a |
|
person [license holder] with a concealed handgun was forbidden. |
|
(c) In this section: |
|
(1) "Entry" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
30.05(b). |
|
(2) ["License holder" has the meaning assigned by
|
|
Section 46.035(f).
|
|
[(3)] "Written communication" means: |
|
(A) a card or other document on which is written |
|
language identical to the following: "Pursuant to Section 30.06, |
|
Penal Code (trespass by person [license holder] with [a] concealed |
|
handgun), a person [licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
|
Government Code (handgun licensing law),] may not enter this |
|
property with a concealed handgun"; or |
|
(B) a sign posted on the property that: |
|
(i) includes the language described by |
|
Paragraph (A) in both English and Spanish; |
|
(ii) appears in contrasting colors with |
|
block letters at least one inch in height; and |
|
(iii) is displayed in a conspicuous manner |
|
clearly visible to the public at each entrance to the property. |
|
(d) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor |
|
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200, except that the offense is |
|
a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense |
|
that, after entering the property, the person [license holder] was |
|
personally given the notice by oral communication described by |
|
Subsection (b) and subsequently failed to depart. |
|
(e) It is an exception to the application of this section |
|
that the property on which the person [license holder] carries a |
|
handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity and is not a |
|
premises or other place on which the person [license holder] is |
|
prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 or 46.035 |
|
or other law. |
|
SECTION 26. The heading to Section 30.07, Penal Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 30.07. TRESPASS BY PERSON [LICENSE HOLDER] WITH [AN] |
|
OPENLY CARRIED HANDGUN. |
|
SECTION 27. Sections 30.07(a), (c), (d), and (e), Penal |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person [license holder] commits an offense if the |
|
person [license holder]: |
|
(1) openly carries a handgun [under the authority of
|
|
Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code,] on property of another |
|
without effective consent; and |
|
(2) received notice that entry on the property by a |
|
person [license holder] openly carrying a handgun was forbidden. |
|
(c) In this section: |
|
(1) "Entry" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
30.05(b). |
|
(2) ["License holder" has the meaning assigned by
|
|
Section 46.035(f).
|
|
[(3)] "Written communication" means: |
|
(A) a card or other document on which is written |
|
language identical to the following: "Pursuant to Section 30.07, |
|
Penal Code (trespass by person [license holder] with [an] openly |
|
carried handgun), a person [licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter
|
|
411, Government Code (handgun licensing law),] may not enter this |
|
property with a handgun that is carried openly"; or |
|
(B) a sign posted on the property that: |
|
(i) includes the language described by |
|
Paragraph (A) in both English and Spanish; |
|
(ii) appears in contrasting colors with |
|
block letters at least one inch in height; and |
|
(iii) is displayed in a conspicuous manner |
|
clearly visible to the public at each entrance to the property. |
|
(d) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor |
|
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200, except that the offense is |
|
a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense |
|
that, after entering the property, the person [license holder] was |
|
personally given the notice by oral communication described by |
|
Subsection (b) and subsequently failed to depart. |
|
(e) It is an exception to the application of this section |
|
that the property on which the person [license holder] openly |
|
carries a [the] handgun is owned or leased by a governmental entity |
|
and is not a premises or other place on which the person [license
|
|
holder] is prohibited from carrying the handgun under Section 46.03 |
|
or 46.035 or other law. |
|
SECTION 28. Section 46.02(a-1), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person |
|
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or |
|
her person a handgun in a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned |
|
by the person or under the person's control at any time in which: |
|
(1) the handgun is in plain view, unless the person is |
|
legally authorized [licensed] to carry a handgun [under Subchapter
|
|
H, Chapter 411, Government Code], and the handgun is carried in a |
|
shoulder or belt holster; or |
|
(2) the person is: |
|
(A) engaged in criminal activity, other than a |
|
Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance |
|
regulating traffic or boating; |
|
(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm; |
|
or |
|
(C) a member of a criminal street gang, as |
|
defined by Section 71.01. |
|
SECTION 29. Sections 46.03(e-1) and (e-2), Penal Code, are |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(e-1) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(5) |
|
that the actor: |
|
(1) possessed, at the screening checkpoint for the |
|
secured area, a [concealed] handgun that the actor was legally |
|
authorized [licensed] to carry [under Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
|
|
Government Code]; and |
|
(2) exited the screening checkpoint for the secured |
|
area immediately on [upon] completion of the required screening |
|
processes and notification that the actor possessed the handgun. |
|
(e-2) A peace officer investigating conduct that may |
|
constitute an offense under Subsection (a)(5) and that consists |
|
only of an actor's possession of a [concealed] handgun that the |
|
actor is legally authorized [licensed] to carry [under Subchapter
|
|
H, Chapter 411, Government Code,] may not arrest the actor for the |
|
offense unless: |
|
(1) the officer advises the actor of the defense |
|
available under Subsection (e-1) and gives the actor an opportunity |
|
to exit the screening checkpoint for the secured area; and |
|
(2) the actor does not immediately exit the checkpoint |
|
on [upon] completion of the required screening processes. |
|
SECTION 30. Section 46.03(f), Penal Code, as amended by |
|
Chapters 437 (H.B. 910) and 1001 (H.B. 554), Acts of the 84th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, is reenacted and amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(f) Except as provided by Subsection (a)(1)(B) or (e-1), it |
|
is not a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor |
|
possessed a handgun and was: |
|
(1) licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, |
|
Chapter 411, Government Code; or |
|
(2) otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun. |
|
SECTION 31. The heading to Section 46.035, Penal Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER |
|
OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO CARRY HANDGUN. |
|
SECTION 32. Section 46.035, Penal Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection |
|
(b-1) 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
|
|
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 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 |
|
carried in a shoulder or belt holster[, on or about the license
|
|
holder's person]: |
|
(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or |
|
license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic |
|
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, |
|
or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking |
|
place, unless the person [license holder] is a participant in the |
|
event and a handgun is used in the event; |
|
(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 |
|
the person [license holder] has written authorization of the |
|
hospital or nursing facility administration, as appropriate; |
|
(5) in an amusement park; or |
|
(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other |
|
established place of religious worship. |
|
(b-1) A person commits an offense if the person |
|
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun, |
|
regardless of whether the handgun is concealed or carried in a |
|
shoulder or belt holster, on the premises of a business that has a |
|
permit or license issued under Subtitle A or B, Title 3, Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Code, other than a business described by Subsection |
|
(b)(1), unless the person is a license holder under Subchapter H, |
|
Chapter 411, Government Code. |
|
(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[,
|
|
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. |
|
SECTION 33. Section 46.15(b), Penal Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(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, or a person who meets the |
|
requirements under Sections 411.172(a)(1)-(13), Government Code |
|
[to carry a handgun]; and |
|
(B) carrying a handgun: |
|
(i) in a concealed manner; or |
|
(ii) in a shoulder or belt holster; |
|
(7) 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 |
|
(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 34. 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 35. 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 36. To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails |
|
over another Act of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, |
|
relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted |
|
codes. |
|
SECTION 37. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |