New gun law law allows Texans to reclaim some of our freedom

Employers can no longer prevent their workers from safely and legally storing personal firearms in their locked vehicle while it sits in the company parking lot, thanks to Senate Bill 321, bill championed by State Senator Glenn Hegar (R-Fort Bend) and recently signed into law by the governor:

Hegar said he filed the bill in response to a number of instances where employees had been denied the right to protect themselves while traveling to and from work because their employers had adopted what he called “overly restrictive policies.”

“I want to thank my legislative colleagues both in the Senate and the Texas House for supporting this important legislation,” Hegar said. “I especially want to thank State Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington), who sponsored the bill in the Texas House of Representatives and who worked tirelessly to help ensure that it received the strong support of House members.”

Alice Tripp, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association, said passage of the bill showed why Hegar was “the Texas State Rifle Association’s Doc Brown Legislator of the Year award winner.”

“After seven long years, the bill has finally crossed the finished line; Senate Bill 321 is clear and finally passed. Thanks to Sen. Hegar, Texas commuters will be protected on their way to and from the workplace,” Tripp said.

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Hegar poined out that many Texans with concealed handgun licenses carry their firearms with them during what are sometimes long commutes to and from work for personal protection. Also, many sportsmen hunt before or after work, and many competitive and recreational shooters like to stop at the local shooting range before heading home for the day. The new law saves them an extra round trip to an from their homes to pick up their guns.

The legislation, which is similar to laws already on the books in Oklahoma, Louisiana and 11 other states, goes into effect September 1.

- JP