I have been a long time lurker on this site and this is my first post. The wealth of information offered by the members is priceless and I thank you for sharing.

DSC has been a voice of reason in the hunting community for years and I cannot understand why DSC would support the proposed rule changes.

Please review the proposed rule changes by TABC. This will affect most "banquettes" by conservation organizations in Texas.
https://www.tabc.state.tx.us/laws/proposed/361am.asp

Saeed, if I have erred in posting this, please forgive me and correct as needed.


Thank you,

Phillip C.

Not only does DSC support the rule change, it requested it as an exception to the existing TABC rule covering traditional gun shows. DSC did not draft the proposed rule and the request that DSC made covers only a portion of the total changes proposed by TABC. Although the link you provided suggests otherwise, the existing rule permitting the use of licensed premises for gun shows(if sales of alcohol are suspended during set up, the event and take down) will remain in effect. TABC has repeatedly confirmed this and did so yesterday at the public comment meeting. Additionally, TABC has advised that the 30 day advance notice and approval requirement will be eliminated from the proposed rule. DSC and others have asked for further modifications of the proposed rule.

The exception was requested to allow DSC and many other Texas hunting conservation groups to continue to operate their Conventions as they have for decades where a small percentage of exhibitors offer firearms and/or ammunition. The proposed change will mandate the disabling of firearms. It will prohibit the presence of live ammunition in the building. DSC and others have asked that the "not readily convertible" language be deleted.

Your assertion that the rule change will affect most banquets in Texas is erroneous, but unfortunately, often repeated.

Any hunting organization that allows firearm exhibitors to offer firearms at their banquets where alcohol is sold or consumed does so in violation of the current TABC interpretation of Rule 36.1.
Regarding auctions and raffles, the current TABC rules do not provide an exception for firearm raffles or auctions by charities at banquets. Thus the need for the rule change. The existing "ceremonial and/or display" language that many seem to rely on does not address auctions or raffles. The firearms must be possessed only for ceremonial and/or display purposes, among other requirements. TABC has issued a small number of private opinion letters indicating that alcohol sales and consumption at the traditional banquet auctions/raffles is permissible under very specific conditions. Most hunting conservation organizations do not comply with those conditions (every condition must be met). Most don't even know what they are. Two organizations violated the TABC rules this weekend in the DFW area and are completely unaware of the violation.

The NRA did not oppose the change requested by DSC at the public comment meeting.

Hunting conservation organizations have done a disservice to the hunting conservation community by not supporting the proposed rule changes.

Thank you for your reply. Your interpretation of the rules differ from the information I received.