Texas Legislative Session Issue Update: Second Amendment

Dear Friend:

This was a great legislative session for Pro-Second Amendment reform in Texas. The key piece of legislation that passed and has been sent to the Governor for his signature, is SB 321, the employee/parking lot protection bill. SB 321 has been a main priority for the National Rifle Association and Texas State Rifle Association for years, so this was a big victory.

The key components of SB 321 are:

• Prohibits employers from enacting and enforcing bans on employees transporting and storing firearms in their locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work
• Applies to both public and private employers, as well as all lawfully-owned firearms – not just firearms in possession of Concealed Handgun Licensees
• The bill does not authorize an employee to possess firearms on any property where such possession is prohibited by state or federal law and does not apply to:
• Vehicles owned or leased by the employer and used by the employee for work purposes
• School districts, open enrollment charter schools, and private schools
• Property subject to an unexpired oil, gas or mineral lease that contains a provision prohibiting the possession of firearms on the property
• Property owned or leased by a chemical manufacturer or oil and gas refiner on which the primary business conducted is the manufacture, use, storage or transportation of hazardous, combustible, or explosive materials (CHL holders have a limited exemption from this stipulation)

The bill, if signed by the Governor, becomes effective on September 1 of this year.

It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you,

Phil King, State Representative