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March 22, 2021HB 259 (Williamson) was passed by its final committee of reference, House Judiciary (12-6) and has been placed on the House Special Order Calendar for March 25. The bill and its Senate companion, SB 498 (Gruters), authorize the carrying of concealed weapons or firearms on property owned, rented, leased, borrowed, or lawfully used by a church, a synagogue, or any other religious institution, unless the institution has a policy specifically prohibiting persons from carrying a firearm on such property.
Current law already allows concealed weapon permit holders to carry firearms at most churches, unless the property owner prohibits it. The primary effect of the legislation would be to allow permit holders to carry weapons onto the campuses of religious schools, which is currently a second-degree misdemeanor. Schools that would seek to be gun-free would be required to enact policies to that effect; other schools may resort to allowing parents or faculty to provide armed security who are far less trained than required by law today.
FCCB concerns with the bill are further outlined in a letter to the bill sponsor.
