Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa, that will protect the Second Amendment and property rights of property owners was passed by the Texas Legislature with resounding support on Wednesday and now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott for final approval.
Senate Bill 741, authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, and sponsored by Landgraf, prohibits a homeowners or property owners association from disallowing the already lawful possession, transportation, or storage of firearms in homes in the neighborhood, a news release said.
“This bill seeks to simultaneously protect property rights and our Second Amendment rights,” Landgraf said. “I was proud to sponsor it in the Texas House and thank Sen. Hughes for his leadership.”
When a person buys a home in a new neighborhood, that purchase often comes with a set of deed restrictions for the neighborhood. These restrictions customarily require you to mow your lawn, not have an RV in your yard, and any number of other provisions designed to promote and protect the character of the neighborhood. SB 741 is necessary to prevent firearms-related restrictions from being included in those restrictions, the release said.
“I’m thankful to a constituent from Ector County for presenting the idea for this bill four years ago after an abusive POA infringed on his family’s rights,” Landgraf added in the release.
Unless vetoed by the governor, SB 741 would take effect September 1, 2019.
