Texas House Bill HB246

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 11/14/16

Caption

Relating to the notice given by a property owner prohibiting a handgun license holder from carrying a handgun on the property.

Impact

This legislation will impact state laws concerning handgun carry rights and property owners' ability to control access to their premises. The amendment to Sections 30.06 and 30.07 specifically addresses the language used in signage and notifications, thus standardizing how property owners can express their prohibitions against concealed and open carry of handguns. Ensuring that the notices are visually recognizable and linguistically clear is expected to reduce confusion and enhance compliance among licensed gun carriers.

Summary

House Bill 246 seeks to amend existing provisions in the Texas Penal Code regarding the notice required for property owners to prohibit handgun license holders from carrying on their property. The bill outlines specific requirements that 'written communication' must meet, including language and visual symbols to clearly inform the public of the prohibition. The focus is primarily on enhancing clarity for both property owners and handgun license holders, ensuring that the notice is prominently displayed and meets certain criteria, such as being presented in both English and Spanish.

Contention

While the bill aims to create uniformity in how property owners can post prohibitions regarding firearm carry, there may be contention among various stakeholders about the implications of doing so. Advocates for gun rights may argue that additional regulations infringe upon personal freedoms while property owners could emphasize their right to maintain a safe environment. Thus, the bill could provoke discussions about the balance between second amendment rights and private property rights, potentially leading to differing interpretations and enforcement across the state.