TEXAS BANNING Radar / Laser Jammers 82-HB 1116 -- Class C Misdemeanor -- Need HELP!

[Mirage]

The Texas house has approved a bill to regulate the sale and use of radar/laser jamming devices. The bill is as follows:


82R6244 NAJ-F

By: Harper-Brown H.B. No. 1116


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting the sale and use of certain radar
interference devices; creating an offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 547, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 547.616 to read as follows:
Sec. 547.616. RADAR INTERFERENCE DEVICES; OFFENSE. (a) In
this section, "radar interference device" means a device, a
mechanism, an instrument, or equipment that is designed,
manufactured, used, or intended to be used to interfere with,
scramble, disrupt, or otherwise cause to malfunction a radar or
laser device used to measure the speed of a motor vehicle by a law
enforcement agency of this state or a political subdivision of this
state, including a "radar jamming device," "jammer," "scrambler,"
or "diffuser." The term does not include a ham radio, band radio,
or similar electronic device.
(b) A person, other than a law enforcement officer in the
discharge of the officer's official duties, may not use, attempt to
use, install, operate, or attempt to operate a radar interference
device in a motor vehicle operated by the person.
(c) A person may not purchase, sell, or offer for sale a
radar interference device to be used in a manner described by
Subsection (b).
(d) A person who violates this section commits an
offense. An offense under this subsection is a Class C
misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.


The bill is currently in Stage 4 - In Senate Committee. I need some assistance drafting an email to send to these senators. Please help by contacting the following Senators in the committee and get this bill at least modified to a much lessor offense. Scroll to the bottom of the page in each link to send an email. A Class C misdemeanor's can prevent you from getting a job! They are lying to the law makers by stating these devices cause damage to police equipment. Radar detectors will be next! Please help!

Transportation & Homeland Security Committee
Chair: Sen. Tommy Williams
Vice Chair: Sen. Kirk Watson
Members:
Sen. Wendy Davis
Sen. Rodney Ellis
Sen. Chris Harris
Sen. Juan Hinojosa
Sen. Robert Nichols
Sen. Florence Shapiro
Sen. Jeff Wentworth

[itsorange]

welcome to my world...


That sucks too didn't they increase the speed limit there?

[Mirage]

Originally Posted by itsorange

welcome to my world...


That sucks too didn't they increase the speed limit there?

In some areas the speed limit is 85 mph, but for most areas it is 70 mph. So I know Virginia has detector and jammer laws, but what is the penalty if caught? For us it is going to be a misdemeanor which is ridiculous.

[600hp-lpe]

The law is talking about jammers as I read it.. not detectors.

Quote: including a "radar jamming device," "jammer," "scrambler,"
or "diffuser."

Just use a Valentine one or escort 9500 detector and you are good...

[Mirage]

Originally Posted by 600hp-lpe

Just use a Valentine one or escort 9500 detector and you are good...

Sure until you come across the cop with laser. I have both a Valentine and an escort and neither one detect laser until it's too late!

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Mirage

Sure until you come across the cop with laser. I have both a Valentine and an escort and neither one detect laser until it's too late!

My escort picked up laser just fine while driving to C5Fest across NM...

Houston doesn't run laser anyway..

[Mirage]

Originally Posted by mlee

Houston doesn't run laser anyway..

Houston runs Kustom ProLaser III guns on most of their motorcycle units and some constables. Plus if this becomes law everyone will be running laser.

[xxlbeerz]

How many people actually have jammers? They're quite expensive.

[NicksVSix]

I can't really sympathize. The only reason why these devices exist is to enable the user to circumvent the law.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no eagle scout, I drive over the speed limit the majority of the time, and if radar detectors/jammers were legal where I live, I very well might use one. But I can *totally* understand why they are getting banned all over the place. They allow people to break the law.

[kpwalls06]

The law sucks, but it's a class C misdemeanor, and if memory serves that's the same as getting drunk in public or equivalent. Yes it blows, but it could be worse.

[Mirage]

Originally Posted by kpwalls06

The law sucks, but it's a class C misdemeanor, and if memory serves that's the same as getting drunk in public or equivalent. Yes it blows, but it could be worse.

correct however a class C will show up on your record when background checks are done. My company didn't hire a candidate because they had a public intoxication on their record. I think the bill as it is written is too harsh. Fine if it is a ticketable offense, but not a Class C Misdemeanor. In my opinion.

[cmore]

Originally Posted by Mirage

correct however a class C will show up on your record when background checks are done. My company didn't hire a candidate because they had a public intoxication on their record. I think the bill as it is written is too harsh. Fine if it is a ticketable offense, but not a Class C Misdemeanor. In my opinion.

[SS Drifter]

Radar jammers have always been illegal at the Federal level.

[black.]

This is trash, but what can I say it's Texas. So glad I don't have to register my gun.