Bill

HB 2241

84(R) - 2015
House Homeland Security & Public Safety
House Homeland Security & Public Safety
2nd Amendment

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Positive

Author(s)

Andrew Murr

Bill Caption

Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain county officers and employees in a courthouse.

Fiscal Notes

The bill would amend the Penal Code to expand the defense to prosecution for the offense of possession of a weapon in prohibited places under certain circumstances for licensed county officers and employees. This analysis assumes implementing the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies, programs, or workloads. 

Bill Analysis

HB 2241 would provide a defense to prosecution of the prohibition of weapons on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court.

The defense under HB 2241 would depend on if the actor was a county officer who possessed or carried a concealed handgun that the person was licensed to carry or that the actor was a county employee who possessed or carried a concealed handgun that the person was licensed to carry and received express permission to possess or carry the handgun from the commissioners court of the county that employed the person and the county officer or department head who directly supervised the person. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 2241 would allow county officer or employee who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun and with permission from the county commissioner court and their direct supervisor to carry a concealed handgun on otherwise prohibited government or court property. This bill would allow citizens to use their 2nd Amendment rights to protect themselves and others on court or government property. While this bill would likely only apply to smaller counties that lack large security budgets, its provisions could apply to every county in Texas. HB 2241 would require that the employee have two levels of permission before gaining the exception so that there is plenty of administrative oversight on who is allowed to conceal carry. We support this legislation.