Under the radar....OR blowing your own horn

[CWOOD]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Has anyone else noticed that the whole topic of firearms, Castle Doctrine, possession in the parking lot, etc has recieved scant attention from the press? Don't get me wrong. I think this is not a bad thing, but it seems unnatural.

We know that the Brady's are aware of these efforts but they have made a concious decision NOT to publicize them. My thought on that is that they saw things like Castle Doctrine bills being foregone conclusions at an early time in the process and decided to avoid showing the world how badly they were losing on this issue here. Just my opinion.

However, it seems very strange that the news media, even here in the People's Republic of Austin, have had almost NOTHING to say on the matter. Maybe there will be something now that SB378 has passed and in on the way to the Governor.

I could be that the horrible Texas Youth Commission scandal has so dominated the news. It seems that the media's attention span is fairly short and perhaps they cannot focus on more that one topic at a time.

I would be interested in hearing what your thoughts on the matter of the almost non-existant level of public information.

Personally, I think it is a potentially VERY good thing for our side if we take advantage. Historically, we have always seemed to have been in a defensive posture when firearms/CHL/etc. are discussed in the meda. It seems to me that this would be an excellent time to promote, proclain and be visibly proud of what has been given to the people of the State of Texas.

This law does not only apply to those using firearms. If you need to use force to defend yourself, this law helps you if you do so with your fists, a baseball bat, a tazer, pepper spray or whatever else is at hand to help protect yourself and your family. It gives the average lawful citizen the tools to defend himself/herself in what ever manner he/she see fit and not have to worry about criminal OR civil prosecution/persecution.

This can really affect a lot of people. Lots more than just those who carry firearms. This is why I am glad that it wasn't CHL specific.

I would hope that TSRA uses this opprotunity to promote itself and the firearms community at large by showing that "we" have helped to accomplsh this for ALL Texans, and not just those in the firearms community. I think it would be a great vehicle to broaden the base and build bridges with others who may not have felt much sympathy for our causes.

The long wind had ended. Thanks

[anygunanywhere]

The recent 5th Circuit Court decision still has them reeling. The DC area anti's have their droors in a bind trying to figure out what they are going to do.

In addition, nationwide states we are winning. Ohio just corrected their weird car carry provisions.

We have had defeats too, too many for me to list, but as a whole we are definitely on the plus side.

Also, the press has reported on a few instances of CHL'ers using their weapons in good shoots. The guy from Florida in Missouri comes to mind. Anytime we receive good press it helps. I also believe one bit of good press does more for us than the negative press we receive most of the time because lots of folks ignore what they see the most. The occaisional good stuff sticks in their mind.

Looking at the post from Chas on the legislation, we still have lots of opportunities, but the anti's are still trying. I have not looked at the airport bill, but I can see a fight brewing over that one.

Do you think Gov. Perry would veto legislation?

Anygun

[jimlongley]

Well, the "Castle Doctrine" bill made the front page of the Dallas Morning News this morning - above the fold and just below the banner.

[O6nop]

Fox news in Austin, just ran a report on the Castle Doctrine. Of course, they announced it as the "Shoot first, ask questions later" bill.

They followed up with some 'related' interviews, one about an elderly man that was robbed at knife point. He said "If I had a gun, I'd have shot him right there, no second thoughts." Later he said he thought about getting a gun since then, but decided not to. Now, he sits in his front yard waiting to see if anyone approaches him. If they do, he'll run for the house and leave his beer for them.
Another interview was with a bartender who said " I hope it doesn't make everyone go out and arm themselves for no reason."

Struck me as typical bias reporting, total nonsense, I always thought Fox was a little better than that.

There was some good press from the legislature.

Some of the quotes, may not have been exact, I paraphrase.

[shootthesheet]

Their (The Liberals) hope is to keep all conservative successes as quiet as possible while they constantly bash everything that even resembles conservatism.

The Texas anti-self defense crowd has the same desire we do for different reasons. We don't want attention in order to have less resistance from those ignorant of the facts. They don't want the attention because they are getting their backsides handed to them constantly.

That is my opinion and I could be totally off.

[Skipper5]

Well, the "Castle Doctrine" bill made the front page of the Dallas Morning News this morning - above the fold and just below the banner.

Yep....good coverage on Castle Doctrine...on the way to the Gov's desk!!

[KBCraig]

Fox news in Austin, just ran a report on the Castle Doctrine. Of course, they announced it as the "Shoot first, ask questions later" bill.

...

Struck me as typical bias reporting, total nonsense, I always thought Fox was a little better than that.

Fox Austin is not Fox News, any more than your local sports guy is CBS Sports. It's just another local station with its own reporters, and it happens to be more "Austin" than "Fox".

Kevin

[RPBrown]

At least here in the Dallas area,WBAP and KRLD radios have been talking about it for a while now. Both on a positive side. A few weeks back, one of the stations (old timers set in and I don't remember which one) had a Brady bunch on for interview. They pretty much shut down their false facts with actual facts. The Brady guy was so dumbfounded he started back stepping and getting caught in his own rhetoric.

[ElGato]

I thought CH 11 Houston had a positive take on it.

[GKings1]

This morning in Houston, 740 KTRH had a spot regarding the bill at 7 am and at 7:30. I caught the last part of the release both times and it was relatively positive, if there was a negative take, I missed it.

[stevie_d_64]

I thought CH 11 Houston had a positive take on it.

You saw that this morning???

The CH 11 anchor-lady chopped it up this morning by calling it the "shoot first, ask questions later" bill...

I would probably not blame her personally, but the folks writing the "copy" for the teleprompters...Well...I might throw rocks at them if I thought it would help...

They can poo-poo on it all they want now...It's the law as soon as it is sign or Sept. 1 rolls around...

[Skiprr]

Houston Chronicle article this morning: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4648410.html

[cyphur]

News 8 in Dallas reported on it earlier this week, saying the bill had passed to the governor for signature.

They used a positive tone commenting on how it would increase your rights while defending yourself, since the bill effectively "treats our house, as our castle".

[ElGato]

I thought CH 11 Houston had a positive take on it.

You saw that this morning???

The CH 11 anchor-lady chopped it up this morning by calling it the "shoot first, ask questions later" bill...

I would probably not blame her personally, but the folks writing the "copy" for the teleprompters...Well...I might throw rocks at them if I thought it would help...

They can poo-poo on it all they want now...It's the law as soon as it is sign or Sept. 1 rolls around...

No, I saw it last night.

[CaptDave]

This morning in Houston, 740 KTRH had a spot regarding the bill at 7 am and at 7:30. I caught the last part of the release both times and it was relatively positive, if there was a negative take, I missed it.

I too caught the tail end of that, and, I think I heard a voice clip of Charles(?) giving an opinion. If not it was another one of our great NRA advocates. Keep up the good work