HB989 NFA related
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:10 am
I didn't see much about this here yet, so I thought I'd pass this along.
HEY TEXANS! THIS AIN'T NO JOKE!
Please share this post with other Texas NFA Owners or those interested in NFA issues.
Lobbyist Todd Rather has held up his end of the bargain and got a bill introduced to reform the Defense To Procecution law in Texas. Now it's YOUR turn to help. If you are an NFA owner and you live in Texas you need to call and email the members of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee by end of business TUESDAY!!! Don't wait do it NOW!
It will take you five minutes to call and there is a sample email below to use if you want it. Don’t let this bill fail because you didn’t take 5 minutes to help!!
Call their offices and BE POLITE!!! Tell them this bill is important to you. Then email them also! Here is the committee contact info:
Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee:
Abel Herrero - (512) 463-0462 Abel.Herrero@house.state.tx.us
Joe Moody - (512) 463-0728 Joe.Moody@house.state.tx.us
Terry Canales - (512) 463-0426 Terry.Canales@house.state.tx.us
Todd Hunter – (512) 463-0672 todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us
Jeff Leach - (512) 463-0544 Jeff.Leach@house.state.tx.us
Matt Shaheen (512) 463-0594 matt.shaheen@house.state.tx.us
David Simpson (512) 463-0750 david.simpson@house.state.tx.us
Here is a summary of what DTP reform is: http://www.nfafa.org/what the heck-Is-Defense-To-Prosecution.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here is the actual bill: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/ ... 00989I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Sample email:
Dear Representative,
I am writing to ask you to vote yes on HB989. HB989 brings Texas statute in line with the federal laws regarding the possession of items regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA).
The people who legally possess NFA items go through an extensive federal process before they may legally possess those items. HB989 only protects those citizens who have been through this process.
Current Texas statute is confusing by making the possession of these items illegal, but affords a person arrested under the statute with a “defense to prosecution” if the item is registered in accordance with the NFA. The current statute turns the burden of proof on its head, forcing a defendant to prove their innocence as opposed to a prosecutor proving a defendant’s guilt.
With the explosion of sound suppressor (silencer) sales (regulated by the NFA) in Texas, and the recent legalization of hunting with suppressors, TPC46.05 is causing confusion for those wishing to possess sound suppressors. This is because TPC46.05 technically makes their possession illegal.
If a person has gone through all the steps to legally possess a federally registered NFA item, they should not have to worry about facing state criminal charges as well as arrest, detainment, confiscation of their NFA items, hiring an attorney, and hoping that their case is dismissed.
If HB989 becomes law, individuals who illegally possess unregistered NFA items may still be prosecuted the same way they are today, HB989 simply protects those tens thousands of NFA owners in Texas who have followed the federal law.
Please support HB989, which simply corrects this unacceptable inversion in the burden of proof.
Sincerely