Capitol Access Pass Moving Right Along

For those who frequent the Texas Capitol but don’t feel like sacrificing the time it takes to get a concealed handgun license, there may soon be a special pass allowing them to bypass the building’s metal detectors at Capitol entrances.

State Rep. Charlie Geren, R-River Oaks, filed House Bill 2131 earlier this month, and it is scheduled to be heard in the House Administration Committee today. It would allow an individual to enter the building in the same manner as a CHL holder if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

Those requirements are identical to those required for CHLs except for the provision regarding evidence of handgun proficiency. So individuals looking for Capitol access passes must be legal residents of Texas without criminal records or histories of drug problems. Also, they must be at least 21 years old and cannot be delinquent on any taxes or child support payments.

If they meet those criteria, and willingly submit to a background check, then they'd get a pass to present to law enforcement as they enter the building in lieu of passing through the metal detector.

Notice: This is not a free ride. The bill allows application and renewal fees to be implemented to cover the cost of the program, though those are not allowed to exceed similar fees for CHL holders.