3 URGENT ACTION ITEMS: CAMPUS-CARRY

[seamusTX]

I'm not usually a proponent of conspiracy theories, but I have the feeling that someone "got to" these gentlemen.

Who would be against campus carry and have political clout? CLEAT? Teacher unions?

- Jim

[Purplehood]

In addition to my previously mentioned e-mail, I called Congresswoman Harless local office and expressed my concern over her dropping sponsorship. The lady on the other end politely took my name.

[BigBlueDodge]

I just wanted to make it easier and give the contact information for the members of the Senate

Robert Dunction (512) 463-0128
Bob Duell (512) 463-0101
Johh Corona (512) 463-0116
Rodney Ellis (512) 463-0113
Troy Fraser (512) 463-0124
Chris Harris (512) 463-0109
Mike Jackson (512) 463-0111
Eddie Lucio Jr. (512) 463-0127
Leticia Van De Putte - (512) 453-0126


When you call, I find that the attitude you get is correlated to the attitude that you give. If you call sounding abrsasive, brash, condescending, then you will likely get a similar response. I highly suggest that you speak in a calm voice, and state your concerns and ask for their support. Make sure they know you are a citizen, and not affiliated with any lobbying group, etc, which will likely to get your call nullified. Calling and saying "I support HB1893" and hanging up is likely to gain nothing since they don't know if the caller even lived in the state, worked for a lobby group, etc. I think they need to know that you are a citizen, just like anyone else in their district and share a concern.

What I've seen thus far, is that some offices are not stating what the congress person feels regarding a bill, but rather is using their consituents. For example, when I called Mrs. Harless office, the lady who took my call wouldn't say that Mrs. Harless did/did not support the bill. She just said that because of the negative calls from constituents in her district, that forced Mrs. Harless to remove her sponsorship from the bill.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Thanks for posting the numbers.
Chas.

I just wanted to make it easier and give the contact information for the members of the Senate

Robert Dunction (512) 463-0128
Bob Duell (512) 463-0101
Johh Corona (512) 463-0116
Rodney Ellis (512) 463-0113
Troy Fraser (512) 463-0124
Chris Harris (512) 463-0109
Mike Jackson (512) 463-0111
Eddie Lucio Jr. (512) 463-0127
Leticia Van De Putte - (512) 453-0126


When you call, I find that the attitude you get is correlated to the attitude that you give. If you call sounding abrsasive, brash, condescending, then you will likely get a similar response. I highly suggest that you speak in a calm voice, and state your concerns and ask for their support. Make sure they know you are a citizen, and not affiliated with any lobbying group, etc, which will likely to get your call nullified. Calling and saying "I support HB1893" and hanging up is likely to gain nothing since they don't know if the caller even lived in the state, worked for a lobby group, etc. I think they need to know that you are a citizen, just like anyone else in their district and share a concern.

What I've seen thus far, is that some offices are not stating what the congress person feels regarding a bill, but rather is using their consituents. For example, when I called Mrs. Harless office, the lady who took my call wouldn't say that Mrs. Harless did/did not support the bill. She just said that because of the negative calls from constituents in her district, that forced Mrs. Harless to remove her sponsorship from the bill.

[BigBlueDodge]

Okay,

I just got off the phone, from calling all of the Senator's offices above. Here is a summary of the discussion

Robert Duncan - fully supportive of the bill
Bob Duell - talked to his aids. I thanked him for his support in driving this bill through. They said that they would leave him a message
John Carona - talked to his aids. Caronoa is a co-author of the bill, and in support of it. I voiced my support for SB1164 and asked for his support. They said that they would leave him a message
Rodney Ellis - talked to one of his staff. They said Mr. Ellis is NOT in support for this bill. I asked for reasons why, and the person said that Mr. Ellis believes that there could be an increase of violence on campus. There would be concerns that on campus debates could be turn violent. I asked the aid how many students he thought this bill would impact, and he said all of them. I then told him that 3/4 of the student base would not be eligible due to age requirements. He didn't know that. In the end, I told him that I am in support of the bill, and asked for Mr. Ellis's support. Also, I told him that Mr. Ellis should base his decision on fact and not emotional bias.
Troy Fraser - His staff was not aware of Mr. Frazer's position on the bill, but did say that Mr. Fraser is in favor of 2nd Amendment rights in general. They took my contact information, and I told them I was in support of the bill, and asked for Mr. Fraser's support.
Chris Harris - Talked to his staff. They indicated that Chris was co-author of the bill and very much in support of it. I let them know that I am in support of Mr. Harris and the bill, as well.
Mike Jackson - talked to his staff. The indicated that Mike Jackson is still undecided on the bill, and is looking for more evidence to form a decision. I expressed my support of the bill, and asked for Mike Jackson's support as well.
Eddie Lucio - talked to his staff. They indicated that he was co-auther of the bill, and very much in support of it. I thanked him for his service and leadership, and expressed my support for the bill as well. His staff did indicate that Senator Lucio had some concerns about dorm room storage and the wording/lack of wording in the bill.
Leticia Van de Putte - talked with her staff. The indicated that she is not in support of the bill. They cited that she was listening to concerns from school administrators and students, and that was driving her decision. Her staff did indicate that Mrs. Van de Putte herself has a CHL license, and is supportive of peoples right to carry. However, her staff said that just as in current CHL laws, we cannot carry into elementary, middle, or high schools, then that should apply to higher education as well..

[DrinkRaiderade]

Dodge--Carona is a co-author of the bill and after speaking with his staff, he is very supportive of it. His office is currently also assisting me in getting my CHL app pushed through the CHL logjam...he will support it.

EDIT--I dont know if I misread your post or not, but we agree, Carona will probably support it...

[Charles L. Cotton]

Okay,

I just got off the phone, from calling all of the Senator's offices above. Here is a summary of the discussion

Robert Duncan - fully supportive of the bill
Bob Duell - talked to his aids. I thanked him for his support in driving this bill through. They said that they would leave him a message
John Carona - talked to his aids. Caronoa is a co-author of the bill, and in support of it. I voiced my support for SB1164 and asked for his support. They said that they would leave him a message
Rodney Ellis - talked to one of his staff. They said Mr. Ellis is NOT in support for this bill. I asked for reasons why, and the person said that Mr. Ellis believes that there could be an increase of violence on campus. There would be concerns that on campus debates could be turn violent. I asked the aid how many students he thought this bill would impact, and he said all of them. I then told him that 3/4 of the student base would not be eligible due to age requirements. He didn't know that. In the end, I told him that I am in support of the bill, and asked for Mr. Ellis's support. Also, I told him that Mr. Ellis should base his decision on fact and not emotional bias.
Troy Fraser - His staff was not aware of Mr. Frazer's position on the bill, but did say that Mr. Fraser is in favor of 2nd Amendment rights in general. They took my contact information, and I told them I was in support of the bill, and asked for Mr. Fraser's support.
Chris Harris - Talked to his staff. They indicated that Chris was co-author of the bill and very much in support of it. I let them know that I am in support of Mr. Harris and the bill, as well.
Mike Jackson - talked to his staff. The indicated that Mike Jackson is still undecided on the bill, and is looking for more evidence to form a decision. I expressed my support of the bill, and asked for Mike Jackson's support as well.
Eddie Lucio - talked to his staff. They indicated that he was co-auther of the bill, and very much in support of it. I thanked him for his service and leadership, and expressed my support for the bill as well. His staff did indicate that Senator Lucio had some concerns about dorm room storage and the wording/lack of wording in the bill.
Leticia Van de Putte - talked with her staff. The indicated that she is not in support of the bill. They cited that she was listening to concerns from school administrators and students, and that was driving her decision. Her staff did indicate that Mrs. Van de Putte herself has a CHL license, and is supportive of peoples right to carry. However, her staff said that just as in current CHL laws, we cannot carry into elementary, middle, or high schools, then that should apply to higher education as well..

Thanks for this report. Senator Jackson is my Senator and I have reason to believe he does not support campus-carry. Everyone in his district needs to call and/or fax him. He is staunchly pro-gun, but we need his support.

Chas.

[LarryH]

I just called Mike Jackson's office and expressed my support for the bill. His staffer was very polite and said she'd pass it on. They've received a lot of phone calls.

[BigBlueDodge]

They've received a lot of phone calls.

Excellent. At least they are being made aware of the importance of the bill. However, I would not assume that all of those calls are in support of the bill. I'm quite sure that there are just as many of us calling in as there are people who are against the bill. Make no assumptions, that just becuase I have called in or other members have called in, means you do not have to call in. You absolutely must do your part. The call takes less than 5 minutes to make.

[seamusTX]

I'm in Mr. Jackson's district and I faxed him. There are a lot of people from his district on this forum. Here's his web site: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senat ... dist11.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BigBlueDodge, I'll bet the reps are getting a lot more pro than con calls, but every one still counts.

I used to know a guy who worked as an intern in a U.S. Congressman's office. He said that when the NRA had a mailing campaign on an issue, the NRA postcards piled up higher than all the other mail from constituents in the same period of time.

- Jim

[Charles L. Cotton]

I'm in Mr. Jackson's district and I faxed him. There are a lot of people from his district on this forum. Here's his web site: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senat ... dist11.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BigBlueDodge, I'll bet the reps are getting a lot more pro than con calls, but every one still counts.

I used to know a guy who worked as an intern in a U.S. Congressman's office. He said that when the NRA had a mailing campaign on an issue, the NRA postcards piled up higher than all the other mail from constituents in the same period of time.

- Jim

Those opposed to campus-carry are turning on the phone and faxes in huge numbers, which is why some people have dropped off HB1893. It's critical that supporters of campus-carry hit the phones and faxes and let them know supporters outnumber opponents. I called Jackson's office and the man I spoke with said the Senator is waiting to see the bill. I told him it's already in the Senator's committee, so it'll be easy to find.

Chas.

[seamusTX]

Those opposed to campus-carry are turning on the phone and faxes in huge numbers, ...

I stand corrected.

- Jim

[ELB]

Here is a list of both committees that Mr. Cotton cited, along with phone numbers. This is a copy of the post on the other thread dealing with Campus Carry. I see someone above listed the Senate committee numbers, but not the house. Here's both together:

All Capitol legislative numbers are prefaced with 512-463-. Just add the four digits below.

House Committee on Calendars
Chair: Rep. Brian McCall 0594
Vice Chair: Rep. Eddie Lucio III 0606
Members:
Rep. Norma Chavez 0622
Rep. Garnet Coleman 0524
Rep. Byron Cook 0730
Rep. Brandon Creighton 0726
Rep. Charlie Geren 0610
Rep. Jim Keffer 0656
Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst 0600
Rep. Edmund Kuempel 0602
Rep. Jim McReynolds 0490
Rep. Allan Ritter 0706
Rep. Burt R. Solomons 0478

Chair: Sen. Robert Duncan 0128
Vice Chair: Sen. Bob Deuell 0102
Members:
Sen. John Carona 0116
Sen. Rodney Ellis 0113
Sen. Troy Fraser 0124
Sen. Chris Harris 0109
Sen. Mike Jackson 0111
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. 0127
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte 0126

[BigBlueDodge]

I would also state that there is nothing that prevents you from calling in multiple times. I know that only a couple of the senators aids actually took my information. Most of them never even asked who I was. They just said they would relay the message to the Senator. So I plan to make sure that I call them again, at which point they will most likely have forgotten that I called before.

These senators need to be reminded daily, if not hourly of the importance of these bills.

[TexasComputerDude]

What exactly should we say?


"I am calling to voice my support to the campus carry bill" ?