HBA-CMT, EDN H.B. 968 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 968
By: Ellis, Dan
Public Safety
3/6/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the offense of unlawfully carrying a weapon does not
apply if a person possesses a handgun, illegal knife or club on the
person's own premises.  However, there is confusion as to whether it is
legal to carry firearms or knives in a recreational vehicle, which can be
considered temporary living quarters, regardless of whether the use is
temporary or permanent.  House Bill 968 makes it lawful for a person to
carry a handgun, illegal knife, or club in that person's recreational
vehicle.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 968 amends the Penal Code to provide that an offense of
unlawfully carrying a weapon does not apply if the person carrying the
handgun, illegal knife, or club is on the person's own premises, including
a recreational vehicle that is being used by the person as living quarters,
regardless of whether that use is temporary or permanent.      

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.