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A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S |
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TGDA's primary purpose is to represent its members before the Texas Legislature and state and federal regulatory agencies affecting the Texas firearms industry and gun owners. Established in 1994, the association has realized a great deal of success in the political arena. Here are some the association's major accomplishments. . Texas Legislative Accomplishments 1995 session TGDA played a key role in passing the concealed carry bill.
1997 session Defeated HB 165 — would have required buyers to pass a handgun safety class before purchasing a firearm. Defeated HB 1980 — would have required all persons selling handguns at Texas gun shows to be licensed firearms dealers. Defeated HB 601 — would have required a person to report a lost or stolen firearm. Defeated HB 3128 — would have imposed additional regulations and liability on persons owning and operating shooting ranges.
1999 session Passed SB 717 - TGDA's biggest legislative victory. Prevents cities from filing lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and dealers for crimes committed with guns. Under the new law, cities or municipalities may not bring suit against a firearms or ammunition manufacturer, or dealer, for recovery of damages resulting from the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms and ammunition to the public. Defeated HB 489 — would have required licensed dealers to sell trigger locks to the customer at the point-of-sale. Defeated HB 242 — would have held shooting range owners liable for intoxicated customers. Defeated HB 11 — would have restricted turkey hunting in Texas to shotguns only. Defeated HB 2169 — would have placed restrictions on the construction and operation of outdoor shooting ranges.
2001 session Defeated HB 194 - would have made it an offense for any person to unknowingly sell a firearm to a minor. Current law states you must intentionally or willingly sell a firearm to a minor. Defeated HB 404 - seller commits an offense if he sells a firearm at a gun show without a NICS check. Defeated HB 466 - would have made it a criminal offense to store a firearm in a place other than a locked container with a trigger lock. Would have required FFLs to sell or give a trigger lock with all firearms sold.
Federal/National Accomplishments In 1999, TGDA opposed federal legislation that would have required trigger locks to be sold with all firearms. The legislation never passed. TGDA worked with the FBI to improve the National Instant Check System since May, 1998. In April of 2002, Attorney General Ashcroft ordered FBI to increase response time to 90%. TGDA was the only organization to work with the BATF to improve the new Form 4473 to make it easier for customers to complete. In June of 2000, TGDA formed the National Coalition of Firearms Retailers to voice policies and positions of federally licensed storefront dealers on the national level. The purpose of the coalition is to establish a presence with Congress, regulators, and policy makers to stop lawsuit abuse, to improve the NICS system, to reverse perceptions about firearms dealers in the media and with the public, and to make known the lawful operations and public concerns of licensed dealers. |