UpTheIrons wrote:I think that now is the time (yes, right this very minute! Or, at least the open of business tomorrow...) to approach your legislator and kindly and gently twist his/her arm about getting the parking lot and campus carry bills to the top of the agenda. Your legislator may not wind up on the Calendars committee, but he may be able to influence that committee.
I've got a long-time rep and friend of the RKBA in Edmund Kuempel, and I'm going to lean on him to get on these as best he can. It can't hurt that they are reminded what we want them to do - they just learned how much we are invested in this process by cleaning up as much as we did.
Once January hits and the assignments/appointments start happening, we can do it all over again, reminding them once more what they are there for. I'm sure we'll get some hints from the TSRA, too, on what to do so we don't have to reinvent the wheel.
UpTheIrons wrote:
I've got a long-time rep and friend of the RKBA in Edmund Kuempel, and I'm going to lean on him to get on these as best he can. It can't hurt that they are reminded what we want them to do - they just learned how much we are invested in this process by cleaning up as much as we did.
First and foremost our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Rep. Kuempel.
To the topic at hand, I would like to see the TSRA announce in the very near future exactly what their plans are for the next legislative session. By giving it's members advanced notice we can start a steady letter writing campaign and keep our gun related priorities on the front burner from the very start. We need to let them know we are united citizens who want to work with them rather than place unrealistic demands from various fragmented groups. Personally I believe if we could get the Parking Lot Bill and Campus Carry without losing anything during negotiations it would be a successful legislative session.
UpTheIrons wrote:
I've got a long-time rep and friend of the RKBA in Edmund Kuempel, and I'm going to lean on him to get on these as best he can. It can't hurt that they are reminded what we want them to do - they just learned how much we are invested in this process by cleaning up as much as we did.
That is sad news. Great write up and photo of him in link above. Sounds like he was a wonderful and beloved man, and his presence in the legislature was treasured by long-serving reps on both sides of the aisle - great quotes from Gov. Perry and Sen. Ellis, among others.
UpTheIrons, I hope you will convey our condolences to the family if you are able.
Last legislative session the TX Concealed Handgun License-related bills for Campus Carry and Employer Parking Lot Carry were shelved through political maneuvering and inaction on the part of individuals with low regard for the 2nd Amendment.
I would ask that you and your colleagues pay close attention to these issues in the coming months and ensure that these bills are acted upon positively in the next session.
Regards,
Life NRA
USMC 76-93
USAR 99-07 (Retired)
OEF 06-07