by Dave Workman
Senior Editor

Lone Star State gunowners scored big time last month when Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed various pieces of legislation that together strengthen the rights of law-abiding gunowners.

Chief among the new laws are measures that will clarify the definition of “traveling” as the term relates to the carrying of firearms in a vehicle, and in at least two categories, lower the cost of concealed pistol licenses for certain individuals.

In signing these bills, Perry noted, “The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right of every law-abiding citizen of our country. This legislation will clarify existing firearm laws, enhance protections for law-abiding gunowners and reduce barriers for gun ownership.”

The measures, which got support from the Texas State Rifle Association and individual gunowners, will become effective Sept. 1.

House Bill 823, sponsored by Rep. Terry Keel (R-Austin) and, in the Senate, by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), modifies a section of the state penal code, placing the burden of proof on the state when someone is suspected of possessing a firearm without a concealed carry license (CPL) while traveling. While it may not protect someone from sticking a handgun in their vehicle for a trip to the store, it does offer greater protection for persons who travel, for example, in motor homes or on longer trips.

Under the new law, a person is presumed to be traveling if he or she is in a private vehicle, is not engaged in any criminal activity and is not a member of a street gang; is not carrying a handgun in plain view and is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

Two bills affecting the fees paid by certain individuals also passed. House Bill 322, from Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp (R-Lampasas), reduces all fees for a CPL for members and veterans of the military by 50%. This bill also lowers the age from 21 to 18 for members of the military to obtain a CPL.

A similar measure, this one aimed at senior citizens, was sponsored by Rep. Carl Isett (R-Lubbock) with support in the Senate from Sen. Kim Brimer (R-Ft. Worth). That legislation reduces the renewal fee for a canceled handgun license for seniors by 50%. Under the new law, the renewal fee for a license will drop to $35 for those persons age 60 and older.

Isett had tried to get similar measures passed before.

Thanks to legislation sponsored by Rep. Joe Driver (R-Garland), the effective period for concealed handgun license renewals will expand from four to five years, without an increase in the renewal fee.

Another piece of legislation, HB-685, will also help the active duty military and veterans. Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs), soldiers and retired military citizens will be exempt from taking the range portion of the concealed handgun licensing process if they have been certified on firearms in the military within the past five years prior to license application.

And it will be easier for Texans to pay for their handgun licenses from now on, thanks to passage of HB-1483, by Rep. Stephen Frost (D-Atlanta). This measure will allow applicants to pay by cash, personal check or credit card, in addition to the current methods.