Austin, TX – The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) is opposing Texas House Bill 1585, introduced by Representative Charlie Geren. If H.B. 1585 becomes law, issue driven non-profits (501c4) would be considered as electioneering organizations.
“HB 1585 is a half-wit attempt to silence issue-advocacy organizations,” said Dudley Brown, President of the National Association for Gun Rights. “HB 1585 is in direct violation of the First Amendment. Any politician who supports this bill is a coward. If this becomes law, Texas will be hearing from our lawyers.”
NAGR is sending a cease-and-desist letter to the Texas Legislature.
Texas Gun Rights (TXGR) is joining NAGR in opposition.
“Politicians in Austin clearly don’t want their constituents to know what they are up to,” said Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights. “These are typical shadow government tactics – hide from the voters and silence all critics.”
NAGR and TXGR believe HB 1585 is unconstitutional and will be overturned if challenged in court. The Supreme Court ruled in NAACP v. Alabama that forcing non-profit organizations to disclose their donors is unconstitutional.
HB 1585 passed the Texas House of Representatives on May 10th and is under consideration in the Senate.
The National Association for Gun Rights is the nation’s largest “no compromise” pro-gun organization, with 4.5 million members nationwide.
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