HB25 (Guillen) and HB77 (Flynn):

Both bills allow eligible, law-abiding Texans to have a handgun in their boat, and to go directly to and directly from their boat, and all without a concealed handgun license. Both HB 77 and HB 25 make changes to Penal Code 46.02.


I am writing to both of the authors of the bills as well as my State Senator and Representative and urging them to add ATV's and other OHV's to this bill. I don't know how far it will go, but the more people that write in, the better chance there is.

Please support me in this endeavor. I think it would be great to flood the email boxes of our politicians with emails regarding this. I am attaching the letter I emailed to the politicians. Please feel free to copy it, but please amend it so it does not include my personal experience. Perhaps you could add one of your own.

You can look up your Representatives at:
Who Represents Me--Home

 

I got letters back from both Guillen and Flynn over the weekend. Both said they would consider adding it into their bills, but I have a feeling they need lots more urging. Please send them an email and let them know that you support their current bill as well as support them adding a provision for ATV's and OHV's.

It will only take a few minutes to stand up for your rights.

 

Add me to the list.

 

I would like to know why you think we should have the right to carry firearms on ATVs.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely support our rights to protect ourselves, especially in our homes and cars where we have an exceptional right to feel and be protected. I admit I have ridden plenty of wilderness trails, and on certain occasions have carried a large caliber pistol in my tank bag in case of an unfortunate encounter with hostile animals...have never had to fire a shot fortunately.

But...here's where I see a huge potential for problems with what you are proposing...As a whole, we ATVers have a very poor public perception...non-riders (and thus legislators) see the problems of noise, trash, destroyed lands and property, unsafe riding practices, that are created by ATV riders and other off-road enthusiasts, and they are not impressed...just look at the number of land closures that happen every year. Simply stated, people (non-riders) have a tendency to see us (and our sport) as redneck trash, and the last thing they'll want to see is a group of helmetless, drunk, ATV riders with guns.

And what we have to ask ourselves here is...If we as ATV riders cannot be trusted with the simple task of taking care of our riding areas, how can we be trusted with carrying lethal force?

 

The same argument could be made about the boaters too. Lake Lewisville is a prime example.

And what dangers are those boaters going to see in the middle of the lake that would require a loaded weapon? Border lakes and rivers (southern) yes I can see the need. But I'd say the atving community is in more danger while out on their machines than boaters would be.

 

well, it's hard to promote good stewardship about the land and riding areas when we do have village idiots who don't care at all. anymore, it's somewhat scary out in the country/riding areas. especially if not many people are out and about. there's always the possibility of "meth monkeys" lurking around trying to find something to steal to go hock for their habits. heck, i've had stuff stolen out of my driveway. i'll be dang if they're gonna corner my wife and kids unprotected. but i see both sides of the coin. we've got to help improve the perception of ATVers and our sport. heck, i can carry my rifle on my quad during hunting season and it's normal. i for one support it, mostly, until a fellow drunk raises a ruckus and ruins it all.........hmmmm....i do pick up trash, of course my own, but also from the goofballs that leave it behind. i do everything i can to make sure the riding places are in better shape when i leave than when i found them. just my two cents.........

 

Guess we could all beat the problem by getting a CHL...you carry the gun but have it concealed to where the public doesn't see it. Although hardly stylish, a fanny pack can conceal anything you want to carry and it's immediately handy in case of an emergency.

Frankly, I'd rather have everyone get some level of formal education and training in the proper use of a handgun, and a CHL class at least assures some minimal level of both, plus a background check to help try and prevent guns from being carried by felons is a good idea.

and yes, I agree that it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need it and not have it, and riders out in the middle of nowhere and near borders should carry some form of defense, including guns. I just see the potential for the public to be in fear of drunken redneck shootouts at ATV parks if we are given permission to carry guns without a license and something isn't first done to address the current public image/perception we have as ATVers

 

The only reason I should need.

I do have a CHL so I can and do legally carry everywhere I go. I have been out riding on several occasions and run across "meth monkeys" and other undesirables. Both while riding around my local area as well as riding in Wolf Pen Gap in Arkansas. While in those situations, I did not feel threatened, however the encounters could have easily been of a more violent nature.

I also ride on my Ranch where there are wild pigs and coyotes. I have to cross a stretch of public land that is about 15 miles long to get from one part to another. If I did not have my CHL, this could get me in trouble.

There is also the problem that Texas ranchers are being run off their own land by illegal immigrants and drug lords.
Texas-Mexico Border: Texas farmers and ranchers are being run off their own property by armed terrorists « Mayrant&rave

There are an infinite number of reasons for carrying that I can think of for carrying some type of self defense. The only reason for not carrying that anyone can come up with is that it may promote a bad image?

Haven't you seen the fish in Texas? I think I may need something with a little more punch than a bb gun.

 

Sorry, couldn't edit to add more. I guess I see different side than you do. I have never been to an atv park with all the drunk rednecks. I typically ride around in a more rural setting. I usually rides in groups of 3 to 15 people. we ride through lots of back country trails where we are more likely to run into someone protecting their grow spot or someone protecting land they may not necessarily own.

I have seen some YouTube videos of the atv parks and I completely agree that firearms should be off limits in some of these mud bog areas where you have hundreds of people gathered in small areas.