Texans Gain the Right to Store Firearms in their Cars While

[Fibonacci]

Austin, Texas-State Senator Glenn Hegar (R, of Katy) is pleased to announce that as of September 1, Senate Bill 321 is now Texas law. The bill strengthens and protects the Second Amendment rights of hardworking Texas. As Texans readied for the new law, Senator Hegar's office fielded some questions from employers and employees whose answers bear repeating.

Hegar's new addition to state law prevents most employers from adopting policies that deny Second Amendment protections to their employees who wish to store legally owned firearms in their locked vehicles while at work. The bill responds to a number of instances across the state where employees have been denied the right to protect themselves while traveling to and from work because their employers have adopted overly restrictive policies. Texas joins neighboring Oklahoma and Louisiana and becomes the fourteenth state to enact a law of this type.

"It took three sessions to pass this bill, but it was worth all of the considerable effort it took," said Senator Hegar, "Second Amendment rights are sacred in Texas, and this bill protects against the erosion of those rights. It is important that both employees and employers understand their rights under the new law, so I would encourage anyone with a question not answered here to contact my office immediately."

One important point to first understand is that the bill applies to all employees legally in possession of a firearm. Some have read the bill to apply only to Concealed Handgun Licensees, an interpretation easily invalidated by a quick read of the bill. The only exception is for a small group of clearly defined hazardous chemical facilities. Those facilities may limit firearm storage in their parking areas to those employees that possess a Concealed Handgun License.

The only employers not covered by the bill, who will retain the ability to adopt policies forbidding the storage of employee firearms in employer provided parking areas are public and private elementary, middle, and high schools, and private landowners leasing oil, gas, or mineral rights on their property.

As the bill approached becoming law, some employers announced an intention to require their employees wishing to exercise their right under the bill to disclose that intent, and in some cases, other information to human resources. That proposal was brought forth and rejected by Senator Hegar as the bill made its way through the legislative session. While employees will need to make their own decision, no state or federal law requires an employee to provide such notice to their employer.

Hegar's bill balances the rights of employer and employee. Under the new law, employees regain their express right to store legally owned firearms and ammunition at their place of work, and with it, the ability to protect themselves as they travel to and from their jobs. Employers will be protected from any lawsuit resulting from the use of a firearm stored on their property, and they can still forbid an employee from carrying a firearm in company owned vehicles. Under his new law, employers will also retain the right to prohibit firearms in their offices.

"Responsible and law-abiding gun owners should never have been forced to choose between personal protection and protecting their jobs," said Hegar, "Thankfully, no hardworking Texan will again face that difficult and unfair choice," he concluded.

[karl]

I politely contest that the right was not "gained", but rather restored. Do you have a link to the article?

[Heartland Patriot]

Well, this law is a great step forward. I only wish they could have had language in there to keep "institutes of higher learning" from expelling students who wish to keep firearms in their cars...

[4copas]

I politely contest that the right was not "gained", but rather restored. Do you have a link to the article?

Link https://www.tsra.com/index.php?option=c ... Itemid=113

[johnson0317]

As noted, these changes in law can take several sessions, and determined legislators, to get pushed through. We tried for the campus carry this time, and I am sure it will be re-introduced in two years. Hopefully it will not be because some VT has taken place in Texas.

RJ

[SATX-Scrub]

As a hospital employee, I applaud this law. Too many times I've felt 'naked' driving to and from work, often at unbelievably odd hours. Thanks State of Texas for a move forward.

[Fibonacci]

That was the full press release from Senator Hegar's office.

I think EVERYONE on this forum ought to email him to thank him and his co-sponsors for their legislative work at this website http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senat ... .htm#Press

[Medic624]

That was the full press release from Senator Hegar's office.

I think EVERYONE on this forum ought to email him to thank him and his co-sponsors for their legislative work at this website http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senat ... .htm#Press

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

I think EVERYONE on this forum ought to email him to thank him and his co-sponsors for their legislative work at this website http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senat ... .htm#Press

Already did.

[E.Marquez]

The only employers not covered by the bill, who will retain the ability to adopt policies forbidding the storage of employee firearms in employer provided parking areas are public and private elementary, middle, and high schools, and private landowners leasing oil, gas, or mineral rights on their property.

And every US Military member in Texas,,our "employer" get to thumb there nose at Texas law.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

And every US Military member in Texas,,our "employer" get to thumb there nose at Texas law.

yup

[williamkevin]

The only employers not covered by the bill, who will retain the ability to adopt policies forbidding the storage of employee firearms in employer provided parking areas are public and private elementary, middle, and high schools, and private landowners leasing oil, gas, or mineral rights on their property.

And every US Military member in Texas,,our "employer" get to thumb there nose at Texas law.

This!!

[rp_photo]

We should all resist the temptation to thumb our noses, boast that we've been doing it for awhile anyway, or discussing the matter with those we don't trust when it comes to gun matters.

Know your rights and stay quiet.

[Jimineer]

I am anxious to see what, if anything, my company does in response to the new law. Like requiring employees that intend to exercise their right under the law to register or agree to searches, or whatever. Further, my companies corporate HQ is not in Tx, so I wonder if they might try to get around the law in some manner because of that. Not that I don't trust.........well, nevermind.

[rp_photo]

I am anxious to see what, if anything, my company does in response to the new law. Like requiring employees that intend to exercise their right under the law to register or agree to searches, or whatever. Further, my companies corporate HQ is not in Tx, so I wonder if they might try to get around the law in some manner because of that. Not that I don't trust.........well, nevermind.

I would be willing to speculate that many companies aren't aware of the new law or even the old law for that matter, and it's often best they remain ignorant.

Similarly, many company policies make no written mention of weapons, but at one point or another employees may have been told verbally that they aren't allowed.