OCT Announces legislative plans for 2015.

[Bladed]

8) State nullification of the federal Gun Free School Zone Act that places an unconstitutional 1000ft bubble around schools.

I would like to see something done about that ridiculous law, but I doubt we 'll have any effect on the state level. I think it's wrong that those who live where a school is, or a school is is built near them, that they loose some of their rights!

I agree that the 1,000-foot buffer mandated by the federal Gun-Free School Zone Act is a terrible law; however, it should be noted that the act doesn't apply "on private property not part of school grounds" or "if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license."

[Charlies.Contingency]

8) State nullification of the federal Gun Free School Zone Act that places an unconstitutional 1000ft bubble around schools.

I would like to see something done about that ridiculous law, but I doubt we 'll have any effect on the state level. I think it's wrong that those who live where a school is, or a school is is built near them, that they loose some of their rights!

I agree that the 1,000-foot buffer mandated by the federal Gun-Free School Zone Act is a terrible law; however, it should be noted that the act doesn't apply "on private property not part of school grounds" or "if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license."

Could you get me a link to the specifics of that law? I thought it was no if's ands or buts, 1000ft.

[Bladed]

8) State nullification of the federal Gun Free School Zone Act that places an unconstitutional 1000ft bubble around schools.

I would like to see something done about that ridiculous law, but I doubt we 'll have any effect on the state level. I think it's wrong that those who live where a school is, or a school is is built near them, that they loose some of their rights!

I agree that the 1,000-foot buffer mandated by the federal Gun-Free School Zone Act is a terrible law; however, it should be noted that the act doesn't apply "on private property not part of school grounds" or "if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license."

Could you get me a link to the specifics of that law? I thought it was no if's ands or buts, 1000ft.

The full text of Section 922 of the United States Code is available HERE, but that is a lot to read. The Wikipedia page on the act gives a pretty good rundown on the statutory exceptions (with links to the actual code): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun-Free_S ... Exceptions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Charlies.Contingency]

8) State nullification of the federal Gun Free School Zone Act that places an unconstitutional 1000ft bubble around schools.

I would like to see something done about that ridiculous law, but I doubt we 'll have any effect on the state level. I think it's wrong that those who live where a school is, or a school is is built near them, that they loose some of their rights!

I agree that the 1,000-foot buffer mandated by the federal Gun-Free School Zone Act is a terrible law; however, it should be noted that the act doesn't apply "on private property not part of school grounds" or "if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license."

Could you get me a link to the specifics of that law? I thought it was no if's ands or buts, 1000ft.

The full text of Section 922 of the United States Code is available HERE, but that is a lot to read. The Wikipedia page on the act gives a pretty good rundown on the statutory exceptions (with links to the actual code): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun-Free_S ... Exceptions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks!

[Bladed]

Now OCT wants to oust the author of the 2013 campus carry bill: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is what Kory Watkins, the director of Open Carry Tarrant County posted on Senator Birdwell's campaign Facebook page:

I heard you don't support Constitutional carry?

It's the #1 priority on the Republican platform. I know that's something you never read but you might want to start. Enjoy your last few years as a elected official. The Revolution is here.

[G.A. Heath]

Now OCT wants to oust the author of the 2013 campus carry bill: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is what Kory Watkins, the director of Open Carry Tarrant County posted on Senator Birdwell's campaign Facebook page:

I heard you don't support Constitutional carry?

It's the #1 priority on the Republican platform. I know that's something you never read but you might want to start. Enjoy your last few years as a elected official. The Revolution is here.

Yeah, These guys can't help themselves because they are too busy "helping" the cause...

In all honesty, do they really think that this is helping matters any at all? This is exactly the kind of activism that has hurt OC efforts in the past and has resulted in attacks on folks that are critical in getting our legislation passed. OCT, OCTC, and to a lesser extent CATI, Texas Carry, and Gun Rights Across America need to calm down, cool off, and seriously think before making any more statements.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Yeah, These guys can't help themselves because they are too busy "helping" the cause...

In all honesty, do they really think that this is helping matters any at all? This is exactly the kind of activism that has hurt OC efforts in the past and has resulted in attacks on folks that are critical in getting our legislation passed. OCT, OCTC, and to a lesser extent CATI, Texas Carry, and Gun Rights Across America need to calm down, cool off, and seriously think before making any more statements.

Couldn't be said much better than that! IMO, "You can't be part of the solution, if you make yourself part of the problem."

[Bladed]

Now OCT wants to oust the author of the 2013 campus carry bill: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is what Kory Watkins, the director of Open Carry Tarrant County posted on Senator Birdwell's campaign Facebook page:

I heard you don't support Constitutional carry?

It's the #1 priority on the Republican platform. I know that's something you never read but you might want to start. Enjoy your last few years as a elected official. The Revolution is here.

Yeah, These guys can't help themselves because they are too busy "helping" the cause...

In all honesty, do they really think that this is helping matters any at all? This is exactly the kind of activism that has hurt OC efforts in the past and has resulted in attacks on folks that are critical in getting our legislation passed. OCT, OCTC, and to a lesser extent CATI, Texas Carry, and Gun Rights Across America need to calm down, cool off, and seriously think before making any more statements.

Unfortunately, the levels of animosity and rhetoric seem to be growing, and more and more of that animosity and rhetoric seems to be directed at NRA-backed legislators whom the open carry activists view as being ideologically impure. When I watched the interim Senate hearing last spring, I thought, "Wow, open carry may have a better chance than I thought." Shortly thereafter, someone hit the self-destruct button on the entire open carry movement.

I don't know whether it was the result of being invited to testify at a committee hearing, being reported on by the national news media, or being surrounded by people who are constantly telling them how smart and right they are, but for whatever reason, the leaders of these open carry groups developed delusions of grandeur and decided that not only do they have the clout to get open carry passed on their own but that they have sufficient clout to get it passed in any form they choose (i.e., unlicensed open carry) and to oust any legislator who refuses to side with them 100%.

The fact that open carry activists would go after a gun-rights champion like Senator Birdwell is mind-boggling. They've become so casual in their grenade tossing that they don't even care that most of the grenades are landing in their own trench.

[The Annoyed Man]

The fact that open carry activists would go after a gun-rights champion like Senator Birdwell is mind-boggling. They've become so casual in their grenade tossing that they don't even care that most of the grenades are landing in their own trench.

Honestly, I think that OCT has been infiltrated by provocateurs from the left who realize that they can derail most pro gun legislation by whipping OCT into a frenzy over it. Think about it for a minute. Such infiltration has three benefits:

1. it divides the gun rights community
2. it derails legislation and makes politicians wary of working with gun rights groups, and
3. it makes gun rights activism look like a bunch of dangerous looney tunes to the rest of the voters

I think this is a deliberate campaign of political deception and misdirection, and OCT had better clean it's house, or we're all going to be screwed.

[G.A. Heath]

In regards to OCT, I have had a number of communications with CJ Grisham via email, twitter, facebook, and phone. One of those conversations was a four way call with our own Charles Cotton and Alice Tripp involved, you can hear that one at http://gunrightsintexas.com/010/. CJ can seem reasonable, but then he goes so far out in left field that he has to hop a train. OCT and most open carry organizations problems lie in their leadership, for example CJ Grisham and Kory Watkins. OCT could not even ensure George Lavender, an OC friendly incumbent, would win his primary and yet they and the smaller OCTC think they can threaten legislators and get their way.

If OC passes in 2015, and there is still a chance, it will be because of the hard work of Tara Mica, Alice Tripp, and Charles Cotton. OCT is making enemies out of everyone in the political arena, and in the process relegating themselves to having no political capital.

[Charles L. Cotton]

OCT cannot impact any elections anywhere in Texas. As already noted, they couldn't even get the open-carry champion, Rep. George Lavender, a win in his primary.

OCT and OCTC are rapidly losing all credibility with people who supported their efforts early on, because of their "I hate COPS and the government" posts on their Facebook pages. They have morphed from organizations that had a reasonable goal, albeit using ill-advised tactics, to nothing more than a fraternity for anarchists. I feel sorry for people who "joined" their closed Facebook group or "liked" their Facebook page at a time when their only stated goal was removal of the duty to conceal from CHL's. It's a classic case of mission-shift combined with a blatant bait-and-switch that will destroy the group from within. Look at their Facebook pages and you will see only a fraction of their "members" are posting. In many ways, this reminds me of the old Usenet group tx.guns as it self-destructed leaving only a handful of malcontents complaining about anything and everything. (The acrimony on tx.guns is what led to the creation of the TexasCHLforum.)

Chas.