enthalpy

Sunday, September 11, 2005


Here's a list of new laws that take effect in Texas on September 1st. One of notable interest is HB 823 which basically makes it legal for anyone to carry a concealed weapon in their car. How? Because the original statute [section 46.15 (b) (3)] says that you can carry a concealed weapon if you are "traveling." The 75th legislature has now clearly defined what "traveling" is. And I quote:
(i) For purposes of Subsection (b)(3), a person is presumed to be traveling if the person is:
  1. (1) in a private motor vehicle;
  2. (2) not otherwise engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic;
  3. (3) not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm;
  4. (4) not a member of a criminal street gang, as defined by Section 71.01; and
  5. (5) not carrying a handgun in plain view.
I'm sure this would rile up a lot of the anti-gun crowd, but they're not going to read this, anyway. The Vermont-style is the way to go, but if the laws are going to be on the books, they need to be clearly defined and not covered by a vague term like "traveling."

The question now is why bother to get a CHL permit at all? I'm "traveling" all the time, as defined by HB 823. So do I need to start packin'?



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