HOUSTON, TX. (THECOUNT) — Want to open carry your sidearm during a natural disaster? Or maybe a landlord is refusing to rent to you over your firearm collection? Well if you live in Texas, you’re in luck.
September 1 is already here and that means there are a bushel basket of new laws that go into effect in Texas. From lemonade stands and renter’s gun rights to porch pirates and Kitty Keychains, the following are just some the new laws in the border state.
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These are among the new laws that will take effect on Sept. 1:
Bill allowing dogs on restaurant patios in Texas signed by Gov. Abbott:
A bill that prohibits cities from putting restrictions on restaurants that want to let customers bring their four-legged friends on patios in Texas signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.
Texans who legally own firearms will be able to carry them in public after a state or natural disaster is declared. The law came after complaints Harvey victims weren’t able to take their guns during mandatory evacuations.
Licensed handgun holders can legally carry in places of worship unless given “effective oral or written notice” or warning that weapons were banned from the property. Places of worship will still be able to ban weapons.
Landlords won’t be able to ban renters from having guns in their apartments.
School districts can no longer ban the possession of firearms that are stored in locked vehicles.
‘Save Chick-Fil-A bill’ signed by Gov. Greg Abbott:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 1978, commonly referred to as the “Save Chick-Fil-A bill.” The bill originally came up after the San Antonio City Council blocked Chick-Fil-A from opening a location in the airport due to reported donations to organizations that protest gay marriage and other LGBTQ issues.
Pint-sized entrepreneurs in Texas have the law on their side the next time they go to set up a lemonade stand. House Bill 234 would block cities and counties in the Lone Star State from enforcing or adopting ordinances that stop children from selling lemonade, or other non-alcoholic beverages, while on private property or in public parks.
Governor Greg Abbott’s signature gave HB 446 its final okay. The bill, authored by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, lifts the state ban on carrying brass knuckles, kitty key chains, clubs and other self-defense items in public starting September 1, 2019.
Smoking age in Texas raised to 21:
Starting Sept. 1 anyone under 21 won’t be able to walk into the store and buy cigarettes or any other tobacco product.
Texans get ready for beer to go and booze delivery:
There will be a couple news relating to alcohol starting Sept. 1. Texans will be able to leave breweries with craft beer. They’ll also be able to have beer and wine be delivered. Here’s how it all will work.
Porch pirates beware!
Starting September 1, the penalty for stealing packages from porches will be a whole lot tougher.
DPS surcharges for traffic offenses going away:
In recent years the Texas Department of Public Safety had a policy in place that required motorists convicted of certain traffic offenses to pay an extra fee or surcharge on top of any fines or penalties for the actual traffic violation. That’s going away.
New law will help drivers with communication issues during traffic stops:
Soon, Texas drivers with autism, deafness, PTSD and other communication challenges will be able to make law enforcement aware ahead of time.
New law targets telemarketers trying to fool you:
You know the calls — it looks like a number you’re familiar with, but when you answer, it’s a telemarketer. A new law in Texas that goes into effect September 1 bans ‘spoofing.’
In all, Texas Legislature passed 10 pro-Second Amendment bills during the 2019 session, according to CBS19TV.
The timing of the implementation of many of Texas’s new gun laws was marred by a mass shooting occuring only hours before they took effect.
Geo quick facts: Texas is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population. Geographically located in the South Central region of the country, Texas shares borders with the U.S. states of Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the southwest, and has a coastline with the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast.