Gov. Abbott Is Correct: Castle Doctrine Bill Is Dead At The Door
Word is spreading like wildfire that the Texas Legislature is considering a bill to remove the Lone Star State’s hallmark home defense law — even prompting a gubernatorial clarification of where Texas leaders stand on the issue.
Let me be clear.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 9, 2020
The Castle Doctrine will not be reduced.
We won’t force Texas homeowners to retreat.
Especially with the crazy “defund police” ideas, homeowners need to protect themselves now more than ever.
We will protect 2nd Amendment rights. https://t.co/DgtxWE6y0S
Democratic Rep. Terry Meza filed the longshot bill that would alter the state’s “castle doctrine,” which currently allows homeowners and home-dwellers legal authority to shoot intruders — no questions asked.
Also, not asking any questions are those spreading the news via email forwards, social media, and message board posts.
Meza, a re-elected freshman Democrat who ousted Rep. Rodney Anderson (a former state Senator and now Dallas County Republican Chairman) in 2018 during the so-called “Beto wave,” filed House Bill 196 to not much fanfare in mid-November. The bill would no longer allow homeowners to use deadly force when it comes to stopping an intruder but would retain its effectiveness if it can be proven that someone’s life is in danger.
“My bill HB 196 and my position on the Texas Castle Doctrine has been misrepresented in the news as of late. It does not repeal the Castle Doctrine, and it does not restrict homeowners from using firearms in self-defense as applicable to current Texas stand your ground laws. What my bill would do if passed, would require a homeowner to exhaust the potential of safely retreating into their habitation before using deadly force in defense of themselves or their property. I filed this bill because the castle doctrine as it currently exists emboldens people to take justice into their own hands. While theft is obviously wrong, we have laws to address that. I don’t believe that stealing someone’s lawn ornament should be an offense punishable by death.”
Numerous gun bills have been filed ahead of the next legislature, scheduled to begin in January 2021.
From the hip: Gov. Greg Abbott is correct: Meza’s bill doesn’t stand a chance in the House, in which Republicans maintain an 83-67 lead. Leadership is not expected to shift much in terms of ideology.
Plus, it’s been tried before—many times.
Typically once a gun rights bill becomes law in Texas, the facts show that the hype about it generated by gun control interests was false — and it stays intact. Case in point: Texas’s concealed handgun bill, which has never once been restricted but expanded upon.
Rather than worrying about an erosion of Second Amendment freedoms, gun rights advocates will be debating just how much those liberties will be expanded upon. Will Texas join the 12 “constitutional carry” states or the majority (31) that allow for open carry? Those will be the issues to watch out for (again).
According to Gunowners of America, Texas, the following bills have been filed to expand gun rights:
- Emergency Powers Protection (HB 26 by Rep. Valoree Swanson and HB 340 by Rep. Briscoe Cain)
- Federal Firearms Protection (HB 112 by Rep. Steve Toth)
- Anti-Red Flag Law Bill (HB 336 by Rep. Briscoe Cain)
- Permitless Carry (HB 299 by Rep. Drew Springer)
- End “Gun-Free” Zones (HB 304 by Rep. Drew Springer)
Andy Hogue is a longtime veteran of legislative politics and journalism. He makes frequent appearances on television and radio shows in the Austin area, his writing has appeared in numerous national and international media outlets. He has served as speechwriter for two state officials, publicity director for several projects at The Alamo, and was constituent services director for one of the last conservative Austin City Councilmen. For fun he likes to unload 13 rounds from his Browning Hi-Power.