House Bill 89

Chair's Name: David Ralston

Committee: Judiciary Non-Civil

House Sponsor: Tim Bearden 

HB 89 allows a person who is currently able to transport a firearm in a private motor vehicle to store the firearm in a place of their choosing, rather than requiring it to be fully exposed to view or in a specified compartment. 

The HB 89 passed the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule. 

Chairman Ralston's Opinion of this legislation:

This bill addresses the conflict of laws pertaining to the carrying, possession and transportation of firearms and is designed to protect lawful firearms owners from criminal prosecution

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Reduces the Size of Government by reducing the number of infractions that are now being prosecuted under the existing law.

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure by allowing families to protect themselves without the fear of criminal prosecution

• Increases Personal Responsibility by promoting safer handling of firearms

Further Action

A conference committee report was adopted by the House and Senate and sent to the Governor.  The conference committee report covered many addition provisions relating to firearms including: soliciting dealers to perform illegal gun transfers (Section 2); allowing licensed concealed weapons in parks, historic sites, recreational areas, wildlife preserves and restaurants, so long as the carrier is not consuming alcohol (Sections 3 & 4); adding constables to the list of exempted law enforcement officers (Sections 4&5); requiring compliance with court house security plans and federal law (Section 4); making changes to the permitting process (Section 6); addressing firearms in the locked vehicles of employees while on employer property (Section 7); and giving "Good Samaritan" civil liability protection to organizations and persons providing relief and assistance in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters (Section 8). The bill was signed by the Governor.