I try to be fair to people and no one likes a double standard. I called out Kelly Burke for providing false testimony during the Senate State Affairs Committee hearing on SB11, so it's only fair that I point out today's false claims by C.J. Grisham.
Grisham tweeted today blasting the NRA and me personally. Grisham seems to claim that he and OCT are responsible for campus-carry being voted out of committee. In his zeal to pontificate, he found himself suffering from Brian Williams Syndrome.
Grisham says: "Also, for the first time in Texas history, a campus carry bill was also passed [sic] out of committee."
Now for the facts: In 2013, Rep. Fletcher's HB972 was reported favorably from the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee after which it passed in the House. After going to the Senate, it was reported favorably from the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. It died on the Senate Intent Calendar when time ran out. In 2011, Rep. Driver's HB750 was reported favorably from the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee. It died in the Calendar's Committee. In 2009, Rep. Driver's HB1893 was reported favorably from the House Public Safety Committee. It died in the Calendar's Committee. Sorry Mr. Grisham, I know you are disappointed, but you did not witness the first campus-carry bill to be reported favorably from a committee. (I was there every time, however, and I can tell you about it over a cup of coffee if you like.)
Grisham says: "As an Endowment Life and Golden Eagles NRA member, . . ."
Now the facts: Grisham repeatedly claimed he resigned his membership in the NRA and he encouraged other OCT members to do so. He said so on a Guns Over Texas radio program and on Facebook. Which is true?
Grisham clearly implies that SB17 was voted favorably from the State Affairs Committee solely because of OCT's actions. In truth, it got a hearing and a favorable vote in spite of OCT/Grisham, not because of him. OCT and Grisham have steadfastly opposed any bill that would establish licensed open-carry. (See the photos below.) Grisham refused to answer my three questions about open-carry this session, one of which was whether OCT would support a licensed-open carry. He didn't want to admit that OCT was going to oppose anything other than HB195 (and now SB343 as well). He posted a long diatribe against me here on the Forum including yet another statement about licensed open-carry. A quick review of the OCT posts about permission slips, tax, licensing a constitutional right, etc. quickly puts to rest any false claim that OCT supported or was responsible for SB17 being voted favorably from committee. If OCT/Grisham had in fact been a positive influence,then why is it that the OCT/NAGR/Grisham bill was not even heard in committee?
I am certain that some people are going to believe that I took the time to respond to CJ's false allegations simply because he and I do not like each other. I wouldn't spend 10 seconds drafting this post solely to play tit-for-tat with CJ. My concern is that some people who are not aware of what really went on in Austin might believe his claims and be tempted to continue the in-your-face tactics that almost derailed open-carry before the session even began. Make no mistake, open-carry was saved and it continues to move because of two women, Tara Mica (NRA) and Alice Tripp (TSRA).
Chas.
reading all the people thanking them for making this happen.
Now THAT is telling it like it REALLY is....the truth in every sense. Well done baldeagle! 
