Texas State Fair Legislation Protecting 2A Rights on Public Property Advances from House Committee
Texas State Fair Legislation Protecting 2A Rights on Public Property Advances From House Committee
On Friday afternoon, the Texas House Committee on State Affairs advanced Senate Bill 1065 by Senator Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) on a 9-5 vote.
SB 1065 reinforces Texans’ Second Amendment rights by requiring that certain government contracts include provisions protecting License To Carry holders. The bill prohibits contractors leasing government property from imposing restrictions on licensed carry and from posting 30.06 or 30.07 notices prohibiting handguns on premises, unless the LTC holder is prohibited from carrying a handgun on the property by Section 46.03 of the Texas Penal Code (the “Prohibited Locations” statute.) The bill ensures that citizens can exercise their constitutional rights by allowing residents and license holders to file complaints of violations with the Texas Attorney General.
In 2024, the State Fair of Texas introduced ban on all firearms – including those carried by License to Carry holders – from its premises. This served to highlight a loophole which private entities that lease public property can use to create gun-free zones. Gun-free zones actually make the public less safe: 82% of mass public shootings since 1998, and 94% since 1950, have occurred in places where guns are banned. SB 1065 will prevent the creation of more gun-free zones on taxpayer-owned property!
Several attempts to amend the bill in the House State Affairs Committee failed, including moves to exempt properties where alcohol is served and any events held at professional sports venues or practice facilities. We anticipate these and other gutting amendments will be offered by opponents of this legislation if it advances to the House floor.
SB 1065 now moves to the House Calendars Committee, which will decide if and when the measure will be voted on by the full House.
SB 1065 reinforces Texans’ Second Amendment rights by requiring that certain government contracts include provisions protecting License To Carry holders. The bill prohibits contractors leasing government property from imposing restrictions on licensed carry and from posting 30.06 or 30.07 notices prohibiting handguns on premises, unless the LTC holder is prohibited from carrying a handgun on the property by Section 46.03 of the Texas Penal Code (the “Prohibited Locations” statute.) The bill ensures that citizens can exercise their constitutional rights by allowing residents and license holders to file complaints of violations with the Texas Attorney General.
In 2024, the State Fair of Texas introduced ban on all firearms – including those carried by License to Carry holders – from its premises. This served to highlight a loophole which private entities that lease public property can use to create gun-free zones. Gun-free zones actually make the public less safe: 82% of mass public shootings since 1998, and 94% since 1950, have occurred in places where guns are banned. SB 1065 will prevent the creation of more gun-free zones on taxpayer-owned property!
Several attempts to amend the bill in the House State Affairs Committee failed, including moves to exempt properties where alcohol is served and any events held at professional sports venues or practice facilities. We anticipate these and other gutting amendments will be offered by opponents of this legislation if it advances to the House floor.
SB 1065 now moves to the House Calendars Committee, which will decide if and when the measure will be voted on by the full House.
Please call members of the House Calendars Committee and urge them to set SB 1065 for a vote on the House floor.
You can reach members of the committee here: https://house.texas.gov/committees/committee/050
Please also call and email your State Representatives and urge them to pass SB 1065 this session with NO AMENDMENTS.
To find who your State Representative is, click here:
https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home
Contact information for your House member can be found here:
https://house.texas.gov/members
Story by TSRA PAC Legislative Team
May 19, 2025