Bill Text: TX HR769 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Directing the Texas State Preservation Board to remove the metal detectors in the State Capitol.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-21 - Referred to House Administration [HR769 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HR769-Introduced.html
| By: Stickland | H.R. No. 769 | |
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| WHEREAS, the Capitol belongs to the people of Texas and the | ||
| Representatives who convene therein and operate under the authority | ||
| of the consent of the governed; and | ||
| WHEREAS, there is no distinction in class or privilege | ||
| between the legislators, their employees, and the people of Texas | ||
| except that the former are servants of the people; and | ||
| WHEREAS, a free and open Texas State Capitol is the | ||
| embodiment of these recognitions, as well as, the cherished | ||
| tradition of freedom and democracy in this State; and | ||
| WHEREAS, a siege mentality by government officials should be | ||
| avoided at all costs as we must not lose perspective about our | ||
| purpose and the source of that purpose; and | ||
| WHEREAS, the use of metal detectors constitutes a search of | ||
| all citizens entering their Capitol; and | ||
| WHEREAS, the power of search and seizure is so great a power | ||
| that the American Founding Fathers thought it necessary to limit | ||
| its use in the Constitution by name; and | ||
| WHEREAS, the installation of metal detectors and searches | ||
| required for entry by citizens into their Capitol is not reasonable | ||
| in either its efficacy or justification; and | ||
| WHEREAS, historic incidences illustrate that unless all | ||
| individuals including elected officials and their staff entering | ||
| the building at all times of day are searched, the use of metal | ||
| detectors is ineffective in preventing firearms from entering a | ||
| building; and | ||
| WHEREAS, under Texas law, it is legal to carry a firearm into | ||
| the State Capitol; and | ||
| WHEREAS, the men and women of the Texas Department of Public | ||
| Safety possess the highest skill and ability and have proven in | ||
| every instance capable of handling the threats which metal | ||
| detectors attempt to address; and | ||
| WHEREAS, metal detectors and searches constitute a barrier | ||
| between the citizens of Texas and their government and send the | ||
| message to citizens that they are not truly welcome in the halls of | ||
| their government; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Texans understand that with freedom and openness | ||
| there is an assumption of risk for ourselves and our progeny, yet it | ||
| constitutes a sacred barter, where in the exchange, we secure our | ||
| most precious possession which is liberty for ourselves and our | ||
| children; and | ||
| WHEREAS, many Texans have made the ultimate sacrifice for our | ||
| liberties so that we may maintain a free and open government and we | ||
| should not easily cast aside their hard won bequests to our | ||
| generation; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas | ||
| Legislature finds that metal detectors and searches should not be | ||
| utilized at any entrance into the State Capitol and urges the Texas | ||
| State Preservation Board to take action to remove the metal | ||
| detectors currently in place; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the | ||
| members of the Texas State Preservation Board. | ||
