The 2-party establishment continues to bartering our freedoms and liberties away, guises as a desperate piece of legislation.
This long anticipated bill went into effect September 1, 2021. Texas HB 1927 authored by Rep. Schafer titled “Firearm Carry Act of 2021”, aka “Constitutional Carry”. On its surface it presents itself to return the citizen’s liberties and freedoms. Texas became to 21st state to pass legislation which returns some freedoms and liberties to the citizens of its state which have been abducted by government over reach. But what did we sacrifice to get what is rightfully ours? Just how constitutional is the “Constitutional Carry” bill really?
The Second Amendment to the US Constitution states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
In 1835-1836 the framers of the Texas Declaration of Rights penned the right to bear arms this way, “Every citizen shall have the right to bear arms in defence of himself and the Republic. The military shall at all times and in all cases be subordinate to the civil power.”
As of 2019 the Texas Constitution has been amended 507 times since its adoption in 1836, (183 years). Were the framers really that incompetent? I certainly do not think so. Why then has it been amended more than any other constitution? Possibly because there wasn’t enough government involvement? The latest revised Texas Constitution pertaining to the right to bear arms has provided us with a cute little caveat added to it.
THE 2019 TEXAS CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1. BILL OF RIGHTS
Sec. A23.
A RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
“Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.”
Both the U.S. Constitution and the current Texas Bill of Rights do indeed recognize the right to keep and bear arms, which places the state of Texas in direct violation of both Constitutions for decades. But in an ill attempt to right a wrong, the 2-party establishment obviously butchered our constitutional freedoms and liberties and dressed up HB 1927 to appease Texans.
As great as it is to finally have our rights recognized by our state, H.B. No. 1927 preface opens with two Constitutional infringements. “AN ACT relating to provisions governing the carrying of a firearm by a person who is 21 years of age or older and not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm and to other provisions related to the carrying, possessing, transporting, or storing of a firearm or other weapon; creating criminal offenses.”
By placing the age at 21 years old, blatantly disregards service men and women serving in our armed forces, college age students, etc. Nor, is this decision based on the Texas Constitution because it clearly states “every citizen.” Therefore, where did this come from and why is it law if not supported by the Constitution? Oh but wait there’s more, according to the bill’s own preface it also states that citizens must be qualified to keep and bear arms. We all are aware that the criminal element is going to carry weapons regardless of the law. HB 1927 is unconstitutional before it even gets started by qualifying persons and setting age limits on it’s citizens.
Digging a little deeper into the bill, many more Constitutional infringements are located. The following list depicts these infringements.
Persons who can not carry per HB 1927:
- Persons with convictions
- Persons completed a veterans treatment court program
- Persons completed a mental health court program
- Persons completed a pretrial intervention program
Again, the Texas Constitution does not place stipulations on citizens. It leaves one wonder if the Legislators researched other options to guarantee “every citizen” their Constitutional right, or if this was part of a bartering process to gain support.
Places firearms are not permitted per HB 1927:
- School or educational institution
- Polling places on election day
- Government court or offices utilized by the court,
- Horse racetrack
- Airport secured area
- Alcohol friendly business
- High school, collegiate, or professional sporting event
- Correctional facility
- Civil commitment facility
- Mental hospital
- Amusement park
- Room or rooms where a meeting of a governmental entity is held
- Institution of higher education
The Texas Constitution does not mention anything about where firearms are or are not permitted, therefore one must believe that these restrictions are in good faith “with a view to prevent crime.” But, according to the bill’s own preamble we have been qualified as law abiding citizens. Therefore, it makes one wonder exactly what crime are they thinking they are preventing? Oh, I see it must be at the schools and amusement parks. But wait a minute, who hangs out at these places? Kids! What type of people hang out where kids hang out? Pedophiles and child abductors!
I have spent hours researching Representative Schafer and I can state that he is, by far, one of the top Constitutional Conservative in Austin, Texas. These infringements would not be in this law if he had more, adequate backing from like minded colleges rather than the special interest of the majority Austin politicians. Unfortunately, in today’s non-firearm culture we live with FEAR of firearms. Therefore, we quietly accept constitutional infringements set forth by the 2-party establishment & continually re-elect the very politicians that are responsible for depriving Texans of their Constitutional rights.