Texas state representative James White from East Texas (District 19) introduced a bill on Friday that would allow a firearm education course to be taught in Texas high schools.
In the bill, HB1142, it states that “purpose of a course under this section is to teach the history and importance of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and to teach respect for and proper use of firearms.”
The proposed course is required to teach the history of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, training in the use of firearms (including rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns), maintenance and cleaning of firearms, and instruct on hunting safety.
The course would be taught by an adult that is a qualified handgun instructor or a peace officer.
Rep. White is also the author of HB700 which calls for permission of citizens to carry “unconcealed handguns” and co author of HB553 which pertains to the enforcement of Federal law that infringes on the rights provided in the Second Amendment.
In HB553, the Ninth, Tenth, and Second Amendments to the United States Constitution are restated as well as text stating that any law made by the Federal government to confiscate, ban, tax, regulate the magazine size or limits the purchase of ammunition “infringes upon Texan's right to bear arms in direct violation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, … is invalid in this State and shall be further considered null and void and of no effect in this State.” It also states the required registration of a firearm is also invalid. Current Texas law does not require registration of handguns.
In addition, HB553 also prohibits peace officers, State employees, and civil servants from enforcing any Federal law that relates to the confiscation of firearms. It also provides penalties for those acting for the Federal government to enforce such laws that are deemed invalid by the bill. Penalties could include up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Finally, the bill also calls for the Texas Department of Public Safety to notify the governor, attorney general and legislature of any attempt by the Federal government to implement any laws that are classified as invalid under this bill.
Rep. James White holds a degree from Prairie View A&M University in political and military science and was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. This is his second term. He has also co-authored other bills that pertain to handguns, including HB 972 which provides for the carrying of a handgun on college campuses. Read the article on that bill here.
©Amanda Amaya, All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior permissions from the author. Partial reposting is permitted with a link back to the original article.
Comments