By:  Patterson, J.                                    S.J.R. No. 55
       73R10399 NSC-D
                                  A JOINT RESOLUTION
    1-1  proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing citizens to carry
    1-2  handguns.
    1-3        BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-4        SECTION 1.  Article I, Section 23, of the Texas Constitution
    1-5  is amended to read as follows:
    1-6        Sec. 23.  Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear
    1-7  arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the
    1-8  Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of
    1-9  arms, with a view to prevent crime.  A bill regulating the carrying
   1-10  of handguns may not be passed into law without a vote of two-thirds
   1-11  of all the members elected to each House.
   1-12        SECTION 2.  Article I of the Texas Constitution is amended by
   1-13  adding Section 23A to read as follows:
   1-14        Sec. 23A.  (a)  A law regulating or prohibiting the wearing
   1-15  or carrying of handguns that was enacted before November 8, 1994,
   1-16  is repealed on September 1, 1995.
   1-17        (b)  The repeal of a law by this section does not apply to an
   1-18  offense committed under the law before the date of the repeal.  An
   1-19  offense committed before that date is covered by that law as it
   1-20  existed on the date on which the offense was committed, and the
   1-21  former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
   1-22        (c)  This section expires September 1, 1996.
   1-23        SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
   1-24  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 1994.
    2-1  The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against
    2-2  the proposition:  "The constitutional amendment authorizing
    2-3  citizens to carry handguns."