Texas legislators seek expaned gun rights for themselves

[magillapd]

If this is posted somewhere else just close this thread, but I didn't see it. This angers me beyond belief .


State lawmakers could soon gain the right to carry concealed handguns where other Texans may not -- such as in bars, hospitals, schools and churches and at sporting events and amusement parks...


http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/16 ... es-default

[RHenriksen]

Oh, my goodness- I agree with Lon Burnam??

[Barbi Q]

Some politicians have been in office so long they lost touch with We The People.

[baldeagle]

"Texas is facing a great deal of problems, and they are ... working on nonexistent problems," said Marsha McCartney of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "There are so many other things they could be concentrating on.

"Once again, they are trying to fix something that isn't broken."

But it is broken. If you have been approved to carry a concealed weapon, there is absolutely no logical reason for prohibitions other than fear. The prohibition against carrying at sporting events, for example, is based on the fear that someone might go nuts at a sporting event and shoot someone (because they're angry that their team lost or they think the referee's call was wrong, for example.) CHL holders have proven themselves to be extremely law abiding citizens, 15 times less likely to be convicted of a crime than the average Texas citizen. And the average Texas citizen isn't very likely to commit a crime.

As Senator Patrick admits in the quoted statement in the article, "this is about logistics". Or to put it another way, it's a pain to have to disarm and lock your weapon (or worse yet, leave it at home) simply because of the location you have to go to. CHL holders, who are law abiding citizens, don't suddenly change their behavior based upon the location they are going to.

So, yes, Brady Bunch, something is broken. And it needs to be fixed. But to do so, we have to overcome your illogical emotion-based fear that someone somewhere might actually get hurt by a gun.

[Barbi Q]

As Senator Patrick admits in the quoted statement in the article, "this is about logistics". Or to put it another way, it's a pain to have to disarm and lock your weapon (or worse yet, leave it at home) simply because of the location you have to go to. CHL holders, who are law abiding citizens, don't suddenly change their behavior based upon the location they are going to.

That's true for all of us, including the taxpayers and voters. Not just government officials.

[Barbi Q]

And some lawmakers say the change is necessary in the wake of the Arizona shooting this year that left several dead and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords fighting for her life.

What about the PEOPLE WHO DIED? They were NOT politicians. Why do those lawmakers want to spit on the graves of THE PEOPLE WHO DIED by denying them the same right to keep and bear arms that they would allow the polticians?

[RHenriksen]

And as I've said before, the underlying logic to carving out this exemption for elected officials is need-based. They're at higher risk of an attack, so they should get exemptions to the rules.

Well, my wife is at higher risk of attack than I am - she's a petite, attractive, Asian woman. I'm a 6' male in good shape and have 15 years in karate under my belt. So, on their logic of need-based exemptions, she should be allowed to carry in places where I can't.

It's a slippery slope, and a noxious one. I applaud Jerry Patterson and Rep King for recognizing this, and (at least verbally) opposing the bill. It will be interesting to see how they all vote...

[RHenriksen]

I went ahead & emailed all the committee members of the appropriate House & Senate committees asking them to either leave the bill in committee, or encourage the author to amend it to apply to all CHL holders.

I've done my part, and will watch, wait, and see.

[Skiprr]

Yep; the original Topic for HB 1463 was started February 18, and is at seven pages and counting.

I'm closing this one so we can keep related comments together. Please see: viewtopic.php?f=110&t=42352" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, and feel free to move your comments there, if you like.