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Charles L. Cotton wrote:I've received two emails asking if the NRA and TSRA are "really" going to support Rep. Lavender's committee substitute for HB700. I answered them, but if I've received two emails on the subject, it leads me to believe there may be some misinformation (how's that for playing nice) being circulated.

Both NRA and TSRA support Rep. Lavender's CSHB700 open-carry Bill. The NRA lobbyist is responsible for states other than Texas and I'm not sure if she's going to be able to get back to Austin for tomorrow's hearing. However, she has had the NRA send at least two email alerts supporting the open-carry bill.

TSRA's Legislative Director Alice Tripp will be at the hearings tomorrow and she is going to testify in favor of CSHB700.

As I've said numerous times, neither NRA nor TSRA oppose the concept of open-carry and we (me included) will support a bill that does not amend TPC §30.06, or otherwise endanger past gains we've made on behalf of Texas gun owners. CSHB700 removes the harmful and dangerous amendments to TPC §30.06 and it removes the problematic "dual points of resistance" language, so it has our full support. It's still a very board bill and it will be necessary for Rep. Lavender to protect it against anti-gun amendments in committee and on the House floor, but we trust he will do so just as he made sure the committee substitute addressed our concerns.

Again, Alice Tripp will be testifying in favor of CSHB700.

Chas.