AVAILABLE TO SECURE AND PROTECT HOUSES OF WORSHIP
State Laws
Constitutional Right (TEX. CONST. art. I, § 23):
“Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.”
License to Carry a Handgun (TEX. GOV’T CODE §§ 411.171–.209):
Requires the state to issue licenses to eligible persons to carry a handgun on premises not owned or controlled by the person.
Trespass by License Holder (TEX. PENAL CODE §§ 30.06–.07):
Allows certain private property owners to exclude from their property persons licensed to carry a handgun upon providing effective notice.
S.B. 535, 86th Leg., R.S., 2019 (codified at TEX. PENAL CODE § 46.035):
Clarified the law concerning the carrying of a handgun on the premises of a house of worship by a person licensed to carry a handgun.
Learn more about S.B. 535, 86th Leg., R.S., 2019
S.B. 2065, 85th Leg., R.S., 2017, § 11.001 (codified at TEX. OCC. CODE § 1702.333):
Exempts a person from registration or licensing requirements of the Private Security Program to provide volunteer security services on the premises of houses of worship.
Learn more about S.B 2065, 85th Leg., R.S., 2017, § 11.001
State Resources
Governor’s Texas Safety Action Report
Governor’s School and Firearm Safety Action Plan
Lieutenant Governor’s Letter Requesting Attorney General Opinion on Church Security
Attorney General’s Opinion on Church Security
Attorney General’s School Safety Resources
TDEM’s Preparing Texas Training Courses
E.g.:
Federal Laws and Resources
FEMA Resources to Protect Houses of Worship
FEMA Webinar to Protect Houses of Worship
DHS Hometown Security Initiative
DHS Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places— Resource Guide (April 2019)
DHS Houses of Worship Hometown Security Report Series (May 2017)
DHS Grant Funding Opportunities
Provides funding support opportunities for target-hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to eligible nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack and which are located within the geographic footprint of an urban area designated as an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdiction under DHS’s UASI Grant Program.
DHS Protective Security Advisors
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The PSA Program’s primary mission is to proactively engage with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government mission partners and members of the private sector stakeholder community to protect critical infrastructure.
DHS’s Connect, Plan, Train, Report Steps