House Bill 1713, by Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos (D-Dallas), would require persons convicted of certain offenses — including some Class C violations punishable by just a fine — to surrender their firearms to a law enforcement agency or sell them to a federal firearms licensed dealer (FFL). It would also require persons subject to certain protective orders — some of which are issued without notice or a hearing — to do the same. This bill does not involve adequate due process, nor does it provide sufficient firearms disposition options, such as transferring guns to non-prohibited third parties or storing them with an FFL. The convictions and types of orders requiring firearms to be surrendered under this bill greatly exceed those which trigger a firearm possession disqualification under federal law — and federal law does not address relinquishment of guns in these circumstances.
Please contact members of the House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety and urge them to OPPOSE House Bill 1713. Also, make plans to attend the hearing on Wednesday and register your opposition to this measure (see details below):
House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
8:00am on Wednesday, April 17
(Plan to stay all day, there are 34 bills on the committee agenda)
Room E2.016 of the Capitol Extension
Parking: Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on E. 12th Street between San Jacinto & Trinity
Sign-Up To Speak: Anyone wishing to be shown against, or speak in opposition to, this bill must sign up via the electronic kiosks located in the hall behind the committee room.
Dress: Business casual at a minimum
Testimony: Witnesses are given 2-3 minutes each; speak only to the bill being considered; always be respectful. You may not ask questions of the bill sponsor or committee members. (Note: if you must leave before the committee takes up this bill, you can still register against it via the electronic kiosks and that will be made part of the record on the measure.)
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