Texas gun law changes take effect one day after deadly shooting near Odessa and Midland
A bulk of gun law changes took effect in Texas on Sunday, loosening restrictions just one day after a mass shooting near Odessa and Midland left at least 7 people dead.
The laws open more opportunities for Texans to have firearms and store ammunition in public places.
From churches to public schools to foster homes, the laws also loosen restrictions on where a firearm is permitted.
The laws were already set to take effect Sept. 1 but come just one day after a routine traffic stop on Interstate 20 triggered a deadly shooting rampage.
Police in Texas say the incident began at 3:13 p.m. CDT Saturday when an assailant described only as a white male in his mid-30s driving a gold-colored car was pulled over by a pair of state troopers for a traffic violation.
Midland-Odessa shooting: 5 dead, 21 wounded in mass shooting in Midland-Odessa, Texas; shooter killed
The stop turned violent when the man grabbed a rifle and shot multiple times at the pair of troopers through the rear window, wounding one. He then sped off, shooting at other motorists and passers-by. The gunman was later killed by police.
The changes were implemented by Republican state legislators in the last session that ended in June 2019. Here's a look at the laws, taken verbatim from the Texas State Law Library website:
HB 121 — Relating to a defense to prosecution for the offense of trespass by certain persons carrying handguns. Provides a defense for License To Carry holders who unknowingly enter establishments that prohibit guns with signage if the LTC holder promptly leaves the property after being asked.
HB 302 — Relating to the carrying, storage, or possession of a firearm or firearm ammunition by certain persons on certain residential or commercial property Prohibits residential lease agreements from restricting the possession of firearms by residents or their guests.
HB 1143 — Relating to the transportation or storage of a handgun or other firearm or ammunition by a handgun license holder in a school parking area. Updates the Texas Education Code to prevent school districts from regulating the manner in which a licensed person's handgun, firearm, or ammunition is stored in their vehicle in a school parking area.
HB 1177 — Relating to carrying a handgun during a state of disaster. Prevents citizens from being charged with a crime for carrying a handgun without a License To Carry while evacuating from a declared state or local disaster area, or while returning to that area. Also gives disaster shelters the option to accommodate evacuees with firearms.
HB 1387 — Relating to the number of school marshals that may be appointed to serve on a public school campus or at a private school. Loosens restrictions on how many armed school marshals a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school may appoint.
HB 1791 — Relating to the carrying of handguns by license holders on property owned or leased by a governmental entity. Updates language in the Texas Government Code related to the carrying of firearms on property owned or leased by a government entity.
HB 2363 — Relating to permitting certain foster homes to store firearms and ammunition in the same locked location. Updates specifications for how foster parents may store their firearms in a foster home.
SB 535 — Relating to the carrying of a handgun by a license holder on the premises of certain places of religious worship. Clarifies the Texas Penal Code by removing "a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship" from the list of prohibited locations for carrying a firearm.
SB 741 — Relating to restrictive covenants regarding firearms or firearm ammunition. Prohibits a property owners association from prohibiting or restricting the possession, transportation, or storage of a firearm or ammunition. Also prohibits restrictions on the lawful discharge of a firearm.
Contributing: Olivia Sanchez, Marco della Cava and Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Texas shooting: State gun laws loosen day after Odessa-Midland rampage
