REP. LEMAN FILES PRO-GUN LEGISLATION
State Representative Ben Leman has filed a pair of bills aimed at protecting and enhancing Second Amendment rights.
On December 30th, Leman introduced House Bills 918 and 919. House Bill 918 would allow a person over 18 but under 21 years old who has obtained a protective order against an aggressor to apply for a conceal carry permit and possess it through the duration of their protective order.
Currently, an individual who is 18 years of age can legally purchase a firearm, but cannot obtain a concealed carry permit until the age of 21. Leman said this would allow victims to legally possess a firearm to further protect themselves should they deem it necessary.
House Bill 919 would prevent any new federal laws or executive orders that, according to Leman, infringe on the right to bear arms from being enforced by any state or local government.
Specifically, the bill would prevent any branch of state government created by the constitution or a statute of Texas, an officer, employee, or other body that is part of a municipality, or a district attorney or criminal attorney from adopting a rule, order, ordinance, or policy that allows for the enforcement of a federal statute, order, rule or regulations that intend to regulate firearms, firearm accessories, or firearm ammunition.
The bill would apply to any rule, order, ordinance, or policy that is passed on or after September 1, 2021. Any entity that adopts such rule, order, ordinance, or policy as described by the bill would be denied state grant funds for the fiscal year following the year in which a final judicial determination in an action is made. Any resident who lives in the jurisdiction of an entity that adopts any rules described by the bill would be able to file a complaint with the Attorney General if evidence is offered to support an allegation that such rules have been adopted.
Leman said he has a “'zero tolerance' policy to prevent the erosion of our gun rights,” and that he “will not stand for an oppressive federal government that systematically disarms our citizens.”
Leman has also filed House Concurrent Resolution 15, which would designate the 1847 Colt-Walker Pistol as the official state gun of Texas. The pistol was created as a result of conservations between Samuel Hamilton Walker, a Texas Ranger who served in the Mexican-American War, and firearms inventor Samuel Colt. The pistol was designed to be used by the Texas Rangers as their duty weapon, and only 1,100 were ever produced.