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April 5, 2021
HB 259 (Williamson) passed the full House (76-37) on March 26. FCCB opposes this bill, which authorizes 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. The Senate companion, SB 498 (Gruters), is in its final committee of reference.