What ? would you ask a Dallas or Ft. Worth DA if you could?

[pcgizzmo]

If you had a chance to ask questions of a Dallas or Ft. Worth DA in regards to CHL Laws, sign postings, prosecution etc.. What would you ask?

For example: Why do cities post 30.06 signs in places they know are not enforceable? What would you do as a DA if a case was brought before you for someone caught carrying in such a place etc....

[seamusTX]

There's not an if about it. DAs are elected officials. They campaign for office. I used to run into the DA at least once a year without even trying.

I might ask what he thinks of the CHL program in general. If he says the wholeheartedly endorses it, then probably he is going to execute the law fairly. If he looks nervous and mumbles something about the will of the legislature ... you've got yourself another Chuck Rosenthal.

BTW, in case anyone doesn't know, DAs are exempt from PC 46.02 and 46.03. They have to have a CHL for identification purposes.

Probably they are not going to talk about hypotheticals. Lawyers and judges avoid doing that.

P.S.: Isn't Fort Worth in Tarrant County? (I've been there maybe three times in my life.) It seems the current Tarrant County DA, Mr. Shannon, was appointed to serve the remainder of the term of the deceased former DA, Mr. Curry. I didn't know they had so many Irishmen in Fort Worth.

- Jim

[ScottDLS]

If you had a chance to ask questions of a Dallas or Ft. Worth DA in regards to CHL Laws, sign postings, prosecution etc.. What would you ask?

For example: Why do cities post 30.06 signs in places they know are not enforceable? What would you do as a DA if a case was brought before you for someone caught carrying in such a place etc....

I would ask Craig Watkins (Dallas County DA) why he fired almost all the career prosecutors who were registered Republicans, and what were the qualifications of their replacements.

[Rex B]

I would ask the Tarrant DA why the Will Rogers animal barn area is posted 30.06.
I'd also ask about that obnoxious (but better than it used to be) sign at the entrance to the Tarrant Co. Records Building

[WildBill]

There's not an if about it. DAs are elected officials. They campaign for office. I used to run into the DA at least once a year without even trying.

I might ask what he thinks of the CHL program in general. If he says the wholeheartedly endorses it, then probably he is going to execute the law fairly. If he looks nervous and mumbles something about the will of the legislature ... you've got yourself another Chuck Rosenthal. - Jim

As Jim stated the DAs are elected officials [read politicians]. Check their prosecution records and you will get a better understanding of their true feelings and motivations.

[pcgizzmo]

There's not an if about it. DAs are elected officials. They campaign for office. I used to run into the DA at least once a year without even trying.

I might ask what he thinks of the CHL program in general. If he says the wholeheartedly endorses it, then probably he is going to execute the law fairly. If he looks nervous and mumbles something about the will of the legislature ... you've got yourself another Chuck Rosenthal. - Jim

As Jim stated the DAs are elected officials [read politicians]. Check their prosecution records and you will get a better understanding of their true feelings and motivations.

Good idea. Thanks..

So, from what I have read if I were going to write a book and in it wanted to supply some information regarding CHL shootings and what DA's would and wouldn't do as well as their thoughts on CHL's it's probably not happening. Not that I'm writing a book but I thought it would be nice if someone could interview a DA and get their perspective.

I find it fascinating and scary that even if we do everything right that the law is not in fact black and white and in some cases it would be up to the DA/Grand Jury whether a CHL holder goes to trial or not. So, I would LOVE to hear the DA's of different city's thoughts on CHL and differing scenario's.

[seamusTX]

In theory that's a good idea, but a county like Dallas or Tarrant is going to have tens of thousands of prosecutions per year. Most are for actual criminal acts such as robbery, assault, DUI, or possession of a controlled substance―and of course 90% of the defendants will swear they are as innocent as a newborn lamb.

As we have established previously, prosecutions of CHL holders for technical violations of the law are rare. Prosecutions of people who legitimately defend themselves also are rare in Texas. The issue is confused by gangsters and people who get into fights later claiming self defense.

During Rosenthal's tenure in Harris County, LEOs got the nod and wink to arrest people for violating the version of the traveling exception that was in effect at the time (2005-7), but the victims rarely were prosecuted. Mr. Cotton got one "sprung." It was just harassment.

- Jim

[cnovel]

TRAVELING...got stopped leaving gun range for speeding,,no ticket for speeding,,two pistols in my daughters child safety seat,(no she was not in it )2500 bucks for a lawyer,,both guns returned,,when I went to pick them up from DPS office (which was strange feeling !) secretary told me she could not believe I was getting guns back,,they NEVER give guns back,,regardless !!!! bottom line ,,before 2007,,there was no law,,just thoughts,,,I was crossing two county lines,,yada, yada,yada,,,,just depended on the good ol boy DA,,or not so good ol boy DA,,,