TEXAS HB 2807 re unlawful possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon for anyone under the age of 21.

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=43041

HB 2807 The Texas Assault Weapons Ban Bill:

To wit:

HB 2807 will be heard in House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence on Tuesday, April 26^th.

HB 2807 relates to the unlawful possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon. The prohibition is for anyone under the age of 21. The bill includes a list of features similar to the congressional definition of an assault weapon: detachable magazine, folding or telescoping stock, pistol grip, bayonet mount, flash suppressor or threaded barrel, or grenade launcher; however, it goes further.

Any semiautomatic rifle with two or more of the listed features is prohibited but if that semiautomatic rifle is a copy of an automatic firearm, only one feature is needed to make the gun off-limits to anyone under the specified age. You might be able to vote but you wouldn't be able to touch this type of firearm in Texas, should HB 2807 pass.

The bill isn't limited to assault-rifles as assault-style handguns are included and defined separately.

Section (b) of the bill creates a Class A misdemeanor for anyone younger than 21 to possess a firearm of this type and creates an offense if a person sells, rents, leases, loans, or gives such a weapon to anyone knowing the firearm will be delivered to a person younger than 21. Under this bill you could share your rifle or handgun with a friend or relative at the range and be in violation of the law.

HB 2807 was filed by State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth). It is a very bad bill and should be voted down in committee.

Since his election to the Texas House in 1997, Rep. Burnam has filed one or two anti-gun, anti-youth bills in every session but two, 2007 and 2009. His earlier versions included all firearms, rifle or shotgun, and defense to prosecution required that the young person, under 17, be with their parent or guardian. In 2005, 4-H Shooting Sports competitors as young as ten came to the Capitol and testified in committee to successfully stop Rep. Burnam's bill.

Obviously Rep. Burnam's not through, as HB 2807 makes no allowance for TSRA high-power youth shooters, their families or their coaches.

Finally HB 2807 is an insult to Texans serving in the military, trained to use and carry automatic weapons in war, but would be criminalized in their home-state for touching a semiautomatic firearm they can legally purchase and possess under federal law.

HB 2807 should serve as a reminder of the mischief gun-bigots intend to cause to your rights and those of your children and grandchildren.

Call or email the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and urge them to vote NO on HB 2807.