Texas Senate agrees to slice carry permit fees as House weighs constitutional carry

By Chris Eger

“No Texan should be deprived of their right to self-protection because of onerous licensing fees imposed by the state,” noted Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on the passage of carry fee reform legislation in the state Senate this week. (Photo: Laura Skelding/Houston Chronicle)
The Senate this week voted in favor of reducing the handgun licensing fee in the Lone Star State while the House is looking at allowing carry without a permit altogether.
The Senate on Monday approved SB 16 which would drop permit fees from $140 to $40 on first-time applications and renewals from $70 to $40 in a 26-6 vote. A legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Texas has some of the highest handgun license costs in the country says bill author, Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville.
“These fees impose an undue burden on people’s constitutional right to bear arms as it relates to concealed carry or license to carry,” Nichols testified in committee. “This will take Texas from having one of the highest fees in the nation to one of the lowest in the nation and still covers what I believe to be the real cost of running the program.”
While active duty military and prosecuting attorneys in the state can obtain

Source: Guns.com