Somewhat political; Patrick Bridges

[KD5NRH]

He's the lone remaining finalist for Stephenville police chief. Looks like he's been an assistant chief in Haltom City and a lieutenant with Arlington PD. Anybody in either of those areas know anything about him? Specifically, his stance on RKBA/CHL issues? Since the outgoing chief was so helpful in getting the city's CHL ordinance repealed, I'm wondering if we can expect the same kind of support from the new one on future issues.

[sjfcontrol]

He's the lone remaining finalist for Stephenville police chief. Looks like he's been an assistant chief in Haltom City and a lieutenant with Arlington PD. Anybody in either of those areas know anything about him? Specifically, his stance on RKBA/CHL issues? Since the outgoing chief was so helpful in getting the city's CHL ordinance repealed, I'm wondering if we can expect the same kind of support from the new one on future issues.

Ok -- that's cryptic. Just what are you saying?

[KD5NRH]

Specifically, his stance on RKBA/CHL issues? Since the outgoing chief was so helpful in getting the city's CHL ordinance repealed, I'm wondering if we can expect the same kind of support from the new one on future issues.

Ok -- that's cryptic. Just what are you saying?

He offered a rewrite of the ordinance that would make it utterly meaningless, since it would only apply to people carrying illegally under state law. He then pointed that out after the council agreed that the existing law was in direct conflict with the Local Government Code. Thus, he left them with a choice between keeping an unenforcible law, enacting a pointless one, or just clearing that garbage out altogether.

[sjfcontrol]

I guess my problem is that I don't know what the "city's CHL ordinance" was. I presume that getting rid of it (if that's what he did) was a good thing? How can a city have an ordinance regarding CHLs, as they're governed by state law, and you can't preempt gun laws in Texas. Maybe that was his point? Sorry to misdirect this thread, but the original post didn't make sense to me.

[stevie_d_64]

Specifically, his stance on RKBA/CHL issues? Since the outgoing chief was so helpful in getting the city's CHL ordinance repealed, I'm wondering if we can expect the same kind of support from the new one on future issues.

Ok -- that's cryptic. Just what are you saying?

He offered a rewrite of the ordinance that would make it utterly meaningless, since it would only apply to people carrying illegally under state law. He then pointed that out after the council agreed that the existing law was in direct conflict with the Local Government Code. Thus, he left them with a choice between keeping an unenforcible law, enacting a pointless one, or just clearing that garbage out altogether.

So if I get this correct...The outgoing police chief left the city government (with what I believe to be the best course of action) to "clear out the garbage altogether"...That to me sounds like the best option...But one I believe would escape the general intelligence level of a liberal gun-control supporting counsel member(s)...People like that do not like to get rid of any city ordinances concerning firearm issues...I bet you find much resistance to that idea, nevermind the redundancy or conflict between state and local laws...

Just my knee jerk reaction so far...

I'm going fishing now...

[KD5NRH]

So if I get this correct...The outgoing police chief left the city government (with what I believe to be the best course of action) to "clear out the garbage altogether"...That to me sounds like the best option...But one I believe would escape the general intelligence level of a liberal gun-control supporting counsel member(s).

It was close enough to election time for a couple of them that they weren't going to risk it. We got a unanimous vote to repeal without a substitute.
FWIW, the original ordinance:
Stephenville Code of Ordinances 130.28 CONCEALED HANDGUNS AT PUBLIC FACILITIES PROHIBITED.
(A) It is hereby declared unlawful for any person, whether licensed to carry a concealed handgun or not, to carry a concealed handgun into any building owned, leased or under the control of the city or any related entity of the city, or any public facility owned, leased or under the control of the city or any related entity of the city. The term “public facility” includes, but is not limited to, buildings, swimming pools, restroom facilities, transit vehicles, park pavilions, ballparks, grandstand areas, concession areas, libraries, recreation centers and senior citizen centers. This section does not apply to peace officers as defined in Tex. Criminal Procedures Code, Art. 2.12, parking lots, streets, sidewalks and public easements.
(B) The City Administrator is hereby authorized to have signs posted at buildings and public facilities owned, leased or under the control of the city prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns into the building or at the public facility.
(C) Any person who carries a concealed handgun into any building or at any public facility owned, leased or under the control of the city after receiving notice that the same is prohibited commits a criminal trespass under Tex. Penal Code § 30.05 and is subject to prosecution of such offense in accordance with said section.

His rewrite basically replaced "whether licensed to carry a concealed handgun or not" with "not licensed to carry a concealed handgun" and struck (B) entirely, leaving the rest of it redundant with state law.

It was, of course, unenforcible on CHLs anyway, and he had made sure his officers knew that, as had the sheriff. OTOH, he wanted it gone before he retired so no future chief could use it to make trouble. Also, there's Tarleton Chief "Kill everybody with a gun and let God sort 'em out" Williams and his officers running around town to deal with, and rumor has it he's ordered his officers to arrest people caught carrying legally on campus. (i.e. on the "parking lots, sidewalks," etc. specifically excluded in the state law)

[Charles L. Cotton]

. . . Also, there's Tarleton Chief "Kill everybody with a gun and let God sort 'em out" Williams and his officers running around town to deal with, and rumor has it he's ordered his officers to arrest people caught carrying legally on campus. (i.e. on the "parking lots, sidewalks," etc. specifically excluded in the state law)

If he really issued this order to his officers, I hope he also explained that a "good faith arrest" cannot be made for something that is not illegal and that he, his officers and the city will be prime targets for a §1983 civil rights lawsuit. If school administration was in on the conspiracy, they can be added to the suit as well.

Chas.