Bad case pending for CHL?

G.C.Montgomery · #1

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 14120.html

According to Mr. Garza's family, he has a CHL. I surely hope that's not true. As presented, the "facts" make it hard to argue this guy was legally defending himself.

Paladin · #2

Will have to get more facts. Sounds like theres a lot of speculation at the moment.

#3

We know the new media doesn't always get it right the first time...BUT, as the story reads, this does not sound good at all.

#4

I saw this on Ch. 11 (Houston) news last night. The Chronicle report is different in significant ways. Ch. 11's report said he emptied his gun, with many shots fired through a window, went across the street, reloaded, then came back and fired several more rounds. The report certainly made it sound like indiscriminent shooting and never mentioned any assault.

That said, I agree this doesn't look like it's going to be a bright spot for CHL holders, but as noted, the media rarely gets it right in the initial reports, especially when it comes to a shooting incident. Also, not to minimize this incident, but after ten years of great success with the CHL statute, it will not have the impact that it would have, had it occurred shortly after the CHL statute had been enacted.

I remember thinking at the time "this guys surely doesn't have a CHL;" boy was I wrong!

Chas.

#5

The man has been charged with murder and aggravated assault.

Chas.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/disp/st ... 15227.html

Paladin · #6

Something about the story doesn't add up. I can't place my finger on it, but I feel that we're missing some critical info about what happened.

Sounds like there were witnesses, so I'm pretty curious about what they have to say.

JohnKSa · #7

Hard to believe that the guy has a CHL and the media didn't jump all over that fact...

I'm inclined to think that he doesn't really have one--is there any way to check for sure?

Trainman · #8

I agree with JonkSa
If you read the first article:

"Garza bought the pistol about two years ago after his son was fatally stabbed at a nightclub, family members said, and has a license to carry a concealed weapon."

To me that statement is anecdotal at best. It most likely was probably made during an emotional moment, perhaps even after being interpreted from spanish. Even an offhand remark and the reporter (or his editor - they are responsible for a lot of re-writes behind a reporter's back) took it and ran with it - hoping it grew legs.

The second article doesn't mention CHL at all. I can't imagine that if it were verifiable that they wouldn't put it in the story.

#9

It doesn't really matter whether he has a CHL, or not. The media has already reported that he does. So therefore, in the anti-gunners' eyes, he does. And all the rest of us are guilty by association.

Geopagus · #10

Unfortunately, the news media has already stated that the man possessed a CHL. Whether he does or not is now for the most part, null and void. I have to admit, based on the information that was reported, the shooter is looking at some jail time for murder, CHL holder or not. Situations like this can be avoided. As CHL holders, we know that we have a duty and obligation to avoid confrontation and even deescalate it, at all costs. Based on this information, that did not happen. But then again, like some of the others said, we'll never know the whole truth. Reminds me of an old saying. "Theres two sides to every story. Theres my side of the story, his side of the story and finally theres the actual truth."

#11

JohnKSa wrote:Hard to believe that the guy has a CHL and the media didn't jump all over that fact...

I'm inclined to think that he doesn't really have one--is there any way to check for sure?

I had the same thought; why wasn't it in the second report and why wasn't it in the TV footage?

Yes, there is a way to check, but you have to send a written request to DPS and pay a small fee. If the person has a CHL, the CHL is then given notice that you inquired. You can bet the media has already sent the inquiry.

That is a low income area of town and I was surprised to see DPS records indicate 50+ CHL's in that zip code.

Chas.

DaveT · #12

Certainly not defending the man's actions, but it appears to me that he just 'snapped'.

That can happen to some folks, especially when pushed too far. Sad fact of life, even worse when they have a weapon on them at the time.

Unless the state were to mandate some sort of psychological exams into CHL requirements, there is no real way to predict something like this. And even if mental examinations were given, there's no guarantee that some folks still wouldn't slip by.

It's human nature.... and human nature is the basic reason most of us carry and stand ready to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

ghentry · #13

If I recall correctly, the report I saw on television interviewed the son and the son stated something to the effect of, "what was he supposed to do, he has a concealed license".

This report also claimed he went across the street and got another "clip" and came back and shot some more.

revjen45 · #14

Reminds me of an old saying. "Theres two sides to every story. Theres my side of the story, his side of the story and finally theres the actual truth."

And then there's what appears in the media, which seldom if ever resembles the truth. I knew a lady whose son was mugged. When she read the newspaper article about it the only way she knew that the incident in the article was the one involving her son was because it mentioned his name. The description was so inaccurate as to bear no resemblance to what happened. We can bet the same is true here. What happened will come out when the investigation is complete, and then the media will distort it.

sparx · #15

revjen45 wrote:What happened will come out when the investigation is complete, and then the media will distort it.

Or not even report on it.