WOAI: Gun permit allows quick access to Texas Capitol

[Fangs]

I'm still of the opinion that one should be required to be carrying in order to use the CHL line, otherwise there's no reason for you to be skipping the metal detectors.

[The Annoyed Man]

And, I got a reply!

Thanks TAM - I'll pass that on.

Bob Gambert (aka CyberBob)
Web Director
woai.com, saLiving.com, SA Opinion Journal
1031 Navarro St. San Antonio, Texas 78205
210-476-1074
http://twitter.com/bobgambert" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm still of the opinion that one should be required to be carrying in order to use the CHL line, otherwise there's no reason for you to be skipping the metal detectors.

In principle, yes....

....BUT....

My problem with the CHL line (although I don't really see any other solution) is that any observer can now know by looking at the line who at the Capitol has one, and who doesn't - unless that person has a CHL but is unarmed and chooses to use the metal detector line. Consequently, a certain amount of that anonymity which the law sought to protect by making our records inaccessible to anyone outside of law enforcement is now suddenly no longer anonymous.

I don't really want anyone to know I have a CHL unless I tell them. If I were an activist for the Brady bunch visiting the Capitol for the purposes of lobbying politicians against CHL, I could stand in the metal detector line and take pictures of every person going through the CHL only line. Then, once inside the Capitol, and accompanied by my videographer, I could ambush every person I saw in the line with harassing questions. "Do you really NEED a gun in here? How do you FEEL about making this a more dangerous place?" Etc., etc., etc. I would then plaster those videos all over my website, and retain the ACLU to protect my free speech rights when you try to sue me to take your video down.

I am actually surprised it hasn't happened yet.

THAT is why I am against metal detectors or special lines for CHL holders at the Capitol.

Besides, life is not without risk, and I never want my elected representatives to feel too safe.

[JJVP]

Good chance this has already been posted, but there was an article about this on Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/19/gu ... s-capitol/

Sounds like the lobbyists are lining up.

Why are all this "news" organizations just reporting this now. This has been in place for 2 months. Is OLD news. It was reported in the Houston Chronicle on May 21, 2010 and also discussed here.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 16253.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=35110" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


AP must be out of stories to run.

Tomorrow's AP News Headlines:
7/21/10 Breaking News: Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon

[JJVP]

I'm still of the opinion that one should be required to be carrying in order to use the CHL line, otherwise there's no reason for you to be skipping the metal detectors.

[Purplehood]

I'm still of the opinion that one should be required to be carrying in order to use the CHL line, otherwise there's no reason for you to be skipping the metal detectors.

In principle, yes....

....BUT....

My problem with the CHL line (although I don't really see any other solution) is that any observer can now know by looking at the line who at the Capitol has one, and who doesn't - unless that person has a CHL but is unarmed and chooses to use the metal detector line. Consequently, a certain amount of that anonymity which the law sought to protect by making our records inaccessible to anyone outside of law enforcement is now suddenly no longer anonymous.

I don't really want anyone to know I have a CHL unless I tell them. If I were an activist for the Brady bunch visiting the Capitol for the purposes of lobbying politicians against CHL, I could stand in the metal detector line and take pictures of every person going through the CHL only line. Then, once inside the Capitol, and accompanied by my videographer, I could ambush every person I saw in the line with harassing questions. "Do you really NEED a gun in here? How do you FEEL about making this a more dangerous place?" Etc., etc., etc. I would then plaster those videos all over my website, and retain the ACLU to protect my free speech rights when you try to sue me to take your video down.

I am actually surprised it hasn't happened yet.

THAT is why I am against metal detectors or special lines for CHL holders at the Capitol.

Besides, life is not without risk, and I never want my elected representatives to feel too safe.

I haven't been to the Capitol building to test this theory yet, but I imagine that the line is not specific to CHL holders only. It is my guess that it could also be used for a variety of VIPs to enter and would not necessarily make it obvious that one was a CHL holder.
Just guessing.

[blue]

...."tis a ill wind indeed that blows no man good"......

(I do not believe there should be restricted access to the capitol)
-----------

Perhaps there is a good side to this?

Hopefully the CHL class instructors will stress the problems with the CHL program as it is:
-Revolver/Semi nonsense.
-Restrictions at Texas Public schools.
-Parking lot restrictions
-Open Carry
-The whole 'OK to carry one place and not at another'.
-Very excessive costs to get a CHL in time and money.

Etc., Etc.

Perhaps some of the New CHLers will develop a New View about the whole CHL program after they go through the class themselves! (We can Hope!)
This MIGHT, MAYBE get us a bit more support in getting some of the rules,regs,laws changed to make CHL better.

I Hope and Pray at the next session at Austin there are a AVALANCHE of "baby steps" filed AND PASSED to make CHL a Great deal better.

Perhaps the instructors can be careful to note the problems in Texas AND how Utah (schools)
and Vermont, Alaska, etc., are FAR ahead of Texas.

---The CHLers should NOT be shy in getting Good STRONG bills PASSED in Austin next time!!!---

Regards,
Blue

[Keith B]

---The CHLers should NOT be shy in getting Good STRONG bills PASSED in Austin next time!!!---

Regards,
Blue

I wholly agree. And the best way to do that is to back the TSRA Legislative Team.

The TSRA Legislative Team has built up good relationships with those in Austin that support our 2A rights, and know the proper ways to get the right folks in the Legislature to introduce the bills that will help persuade those that may be on the fence to swing to our side so we have a majority of support during the bill's time in its processing. This type of lobbying and support is crucial to gaining ground in the fight to regain all of our rights.

The worst thing we can do is to have multiple factions trying to get their own personal agendas in front of the legislators and overloading them with so many different views on what should be passed that they sour to the idea or decide they will veto any pro-gun legislation no matter what. (Think OC last year.) We must speak with one strong voice (the TSRA) and follow their lead on timing of what legislations/bills need to be introduced and who, how and when to contact the legislators that can make a difference for us in Austin.

By working together, we can and will be successful at getting more rights back.

[ELB]

I voted. Interesting that it is a simple "Agree with it" vs. "It's ludicrous." Seeming slant there, guess I shouldn't be surprised......

I guess the poll is over. I went there just now, and the question is, "Do you think it’s fair to require large customers to buy two airline seats?" The possible responses are, "It's fair" and "It's not fair." Slightly more even handed.

I'm still of the opinion that one should be required to be carrying in order to use the CHL line, otherwise there's no reason for you to be skipping the metal detectors.

When I went to the Capitol awhile back, just after they started this, the troopers asked me if I was carrying. I asked them why that made a difference. They said if I wasn't, they would send me over to the regular line. I think this was because it was taking a minute or so to verify the CHL was valid on their computer.

[austin-tatious]

I haven't been to the Capitol building to test this theory yet, but I imagine that the line is not specific to CHL holders only. It is my guess that it could also be used for a variety of VIPs to enter and would not necessarily make it obvious that one was a CHL holder.
Just guessing.

You are correct. The line is for legislative staff, legislators, etc. ... and also CHL holder's secondarily.
I like to believe Perry made sure CHL holder's could use it.