State laws go into effect
October 20, 2021
HB 1927- Permitless carry act
People who are 21 and older and have no previous convictions can carry firearms in public spaces without a license or permit. This bill does not allow people who currently cannot own a gun the right to get and carry a gun.
The bill refers to the Second Amendment in stating that people have the right to own and use guns for lawful purposes.
Senior Jerod Crecelius said he believes that Texans should be able to carry guns in public.
“In public spaces, I don’t see what the problem is,” Crecelius said.
Senior Catherine Meeks worries about the effect this bill will have on the safety of police officers since guns may become more commonplace.
“It’s just setting it up for people to get in trouble,“ senior Catherine Meeks said.
Meeks said she worries there will be more conflicts between citizens and police officers because of the increase in rights for gun owners.
“It makes me angry because … now police are more in danger,“ Meeks said.
HB 3979: Curriculum changes
In K-12 social studies curriculum, teachers will not be required to teach current events or social affairs, and those who choose to will be encouraged to discuss them from a number of perspectives without bias.
Humanities teacher Debbie Brininstool said she thinks that teachers need to be unbiased when discussing current events.
“I think if you’re grounded in facts rather than emotion, … those teachers will be fine to go ahead and talk about current events,” Brininstool said.
This bill states that teachers cannot:
require coursework that involves working with organizations lobbying for local, state or federal legislation
teach that any person is inherently racist or sexist because of their race or sex or consciously or unconsciously
teach that someone is responsible for actions committed by others in the past because of their race or sex.
SB 8: Texas heartbeat bill
This law states that a physician can not perform an abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat in an ultrasound. This usually happens six weeks after the first day of the mothers last menstrual cycle.
Exceptions are made when the mother’s life is in danger, but not for victims of rape or incest.
Some students like sophomore Michelle Sayers feel that this bill is a violation of women’s rights.
Sayers worries that limiting abortions will put women in difficult positions.
“I think it’s very sexist in that women don’t have a say in it,” Sayers said.
On the other hand, some people like senior Avery Hamilton agree with the bill. Hamilton said she is pro-life, and believes that life begins at conception.
“I think it’s wonderful … we should be on the road to abolishing abortion entirely,” Hamilton said.
HB 103: Active shooter alert system
The system will alert people through their phones of an active shooter within 50 miles of their location. Local law enforcement agencies can also activate the alert system if they believe that the shooter is in the agency’s jurisdiction. This alerts people in the area by giving information on the shooter’s location and description.