Kilgore College Pres claims casualties at Luby's due to CHL

[Charles L. Cotton]

Perhaps it's just the grizzled old trial lawyer coming out in me, but here are the facts as I see them: He lied, got caught, was inundated with email blasting him about lying, sent out a canned, self-serving email adopting Brady Campaign lies, and now he's supposedly taking a CHL class. I don't buy it; it's damage control in the face of very bad PR. I think he's trying to save his job and reputation.

I hope I'm wrong, but I've seen plenty of witnesses change their stories when caught in a lie.
Chas.

I personally do not care what his reasoning is. On the face of it, it appears to be a victory for RKBA advocates in Texas. And that is what the public will see if they notice in the first place.

Great idea. Charles, you should publicize his conversion as an update to your story. That way he's held publicly accountable for his conversion.

I would love to be able to do so, but I don't see a conversion. He hasn't apologized for lying about Luby's, he hasn't repudiated the Brady Campaign garbage he referenced in his email, nor has he changed his position on campus-carry. We had an anti-gun Representative several years ago take the CHL course, then claimed it was far too easy to pass and the training requirement must be "improved." Remember, both Al Gore and John Kerry staged hunting photo shoots during their respective Presidential campaigns that were nothing but sham public appearances to deceive gun owners.

I'll believe a conversion occurred when he publicly apologizes to CHL holders, acknowledges their great 15 year track record, and supports campus-carry.

Chas.

[Purplehood]

Charles,

I would settle for him simply supporting campus-carry. No apology, no acknowledgement of the CHL track-record would be necessary.

I personally could care less about his character. He is however a public-figure that has demonstrated ignorance and an apparently anti-RKBA attitude. His support or even his lack of opposition to campus-carry would be a plus for me.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Charles,

I would settle for him simpling supporting campus-carry. No apology, no acknowledgement of the CHL track-record would be necessary.

I'll buy that with a smile on my face!

Chas.

[Douva]

I think a lot of people, both here and on various blogs, are being a bit hasty in assuming that Dr. Holda has changed his position. Even the blogger who took Dr. Holda shooting says, "I'm fairly sure he'd prefer the status quo." And Holda has been quoted as saying that he's resigned himself to the fact that campus carry is likely to pass and now wants to focus on making sure it's implemented safely.

This is a response I posted to an article David Codrea wrote a few weeks ago for Gun Rights Examiner, about Dr. Holda's willingness to discuss the issue.

I don't know that Dr. Holda is being so much reasonable as calculating. He's come under a good deal of fire for his statements about the Luby's massacre, and he recognizes that some form of campus carry legislation is likely to pass; therefore, he's taking steps to minimize both the damage to his reputation and what he sees as the eminent damage to his institution.

What actually happened during the Luby's massacre is a matter of historical record; therefore, Holda deserves very little respect for simply admitting he was wrong. Only a lunatic or a fool would continue to stand by the story he originally told.

But Holda's initial response (the same canned response he sent to everyone who wrote to criticize him) admits no flaw in his logic. After briefly conceding that he was confused about the facts of the Luby's massacre, he launches into a litany of arguments against campus carry, most as factually inaccurate as his initial statement.

Only after enduring heavy criticism (http://www.campuscarry.com/2010/11/23/k ... y/#content" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) for continuing his flawed campaign against campus carry did Dr. Holda began proposing compromises--attempts at (unnecessarily) watering down any current or future campus carry legislation. In the cited emails, he suggests steps such as requiring license holders to register with campus police (despite the fact that all police in the state of Texas can easily check to see whether or not a person is a CHL holder) and requiring students who carry on campus to enroll in a firearm safety class run by the institution (despite the fact that applicants for a Texas CHL must pass a course covering, among other things, firearm safety).

If Dr. Holda has real concerns, he needs to take them to the legislators drafting these bills and the organizations pushing this legislation. They can work with him to determine which concerns are legitimate and which (like those cited in his email) are not. But as far as I can tell, Holda's only attempt at being "reasonable" has involved exchanging emails with the owner of a Central Texas shooting range.

I'm impressed that Dr. Holda took the initiative to take his family shooting, and I think he should certainly be commended for reaching out to his opponents and detractors (us), but let's not all start singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" just yet. So far, he's just paid a visit to a shooting range--I'd hate to think that Texas's gun rights community is that easily appeased.

[baldeagle]

That's what you think it is? Appeasement? Sheesh. The fact is that Dr. Holda went to the gun range with his wife and received some training. He and his wife will both be taking the CHL class this Saturday. Those are the facts. Despite all he has said and done previously, Dr. Holda is the only anti-gun person that I know who has taken those steps. For that he is to be commended, regardless of what ulterior motives anyone may think he has. If in the future he takes an anti-gun stance, then he will be opposed by those who disagree with him.

[74novaman]

I'm half wondering if he didn't go shooting and plan to take the class just so he can protect himself from all those crazies that are going to be carrying on his campus.

This may be more of an arms race then a conversion.

[Douva]

Dr. Holda recently posted this comment on Popgun's blog post:

I fully understand the folks who are rightly suspicious of my current motives or status. I really don’t expect any accolades for changing my view. I truly believe that concealed carry on campus will pass this session. I would rather understand this issue first-hand and be at the table to discuss this in an informed manner, rather than complain from the sidelines. I have come to a much greater understanding of the type of persons who seriously carry and stay current in their proficiency. As an educator, I have to stay open to changing my mind as the truth reveals itself to me. That truth can come through facts, data, other persons and new information and experiences. In my conversations with the CHL community, I think we have moved forward by identifying some issues which will need to be worked out regarding residence hall students, early college high schools and some additional management issues. More importantly, I think there are some relationships and personal connection which will endure and be more valuable long term. If the CHL carry passes this session, I will work diligently to not only make this manageable for us, I will try to arrange certification classes for our employees, so that they too will understand better. I think it is fair to have concerns but at the same time to be open to this change in our environment. Bill

He seems to be saying that he really has had a change of heart; therefore, I think we should probably give him the benefit of the doubt until and unless he gives us further reason to question his motives.

[OldSchool]

I am impressed with that very nicely-worded statement. His comments do reflect some specific management concerns which I think will have to be considered by colleges. Do I trust him to believe what he said in his statement? Not yet; no more than I believe that he will give a true apology for the improper statements he made earlier. But I am willing to give him respect for his most recent statement.

However, I must also note that his statement, and willingness to learn "both sides' point of view," will severely harm his ties with the anti's, who will now also distrust his motives. This is a risky move on his part, and also deserves a measure of respect. This is not a win-win move for him, especially if it were to turn out to be a charade.

[RPB]

He actively fought against campus carry last time, after drinking vpc and Brady koolaid, but this time he's at least open minded and getting exposure, whether he intends to use that exposure/new knowledge to "mitigate damages" since he thinks it WILL pass, or whatever.

I like his statement "I will try to arrange certification classes for our employees, so that they too will understand better. "

However, I've run across those who say "we'll it's only like a 1-day defensive driving course, but shorter since part of the day is target shooting"

A major difference I see, is people get out of Defensive driving, but do not go seeking more info and self-educate even more ... most CHLs do, after class, they try to do homework, study more, and continue self-education even more so they don't walk past a sign, and so they don't do "wrong" "illegal" or "negligent" things. After the trouble of getting it, who wants to lose it due to a sign or whatever. Where you can commit all sorts of traffic violations, have 3 or 12 DWIs ... and still have a driver's license.

[Purplehood]

Not only has he made one baby-step in the right direction, but he has now made two with his latest statement.

Now I have been wrong before with my grandiose predictions in the past, but I am going to pop a root-beer open, throw my feet up on the coffee-table and plan on saying, "I told you guys, so!" in the near future.

[The Annoyed Man]

Dr. Holda recently posted this comment on Popgun's blog post:

I fully understand the folks who are rightly suspicious of my current motives or status. I really don’t expect any accolades for changing my view. I truly believe that concealed carry on campus will pass this session. I would rather understand this issue first-hand and be at the table to discuss this in an informed manner, rather than complain from the sidelines. I have come to a much greater understanding of the type of persons who seriously carry and stay current in their proficiency. As an educator, I have to stay open to changing my mind as the truth reveals itself to me. That truth can come through facts, data, other persons and new information and experiences. In my conversations with the CHL community, I think we have moved forward by identifying some issues which will need to be worked out regarding residence hall students, early college high schools and some additional management issues. More importantly, I think there are some relationships and personal connection which will endure and be more valuable long term. If the CHL carry passes this session, I will work diligently to not only make this manageable for us, I will try to arrange certification classes for our employees, so that they too will understand better. I think it is fair to have concerns but at the same time to be open to this change in our environment. Bill

He seems to be saying that he really has had a change of heart; therefore, I think we should probably give him the benefit of the doubt until and unless he gives us further reason to question his motives.

I would further add this: if we continue to crucify a man who is big enough to admit he was wrong and who has dedicated himself to addressing this issue going forward in the light of intellectual honesty, then we become the small-minded ones. Like I said earlier, Dr. Holda has embarked on a journey toward 2nd Amendment enlightenment. I can respect that because it is much like my own journey. Holda started with a couple of pretty giant baby steps. You have to respect a man who has the guts to do that.

Here is his latest comment on that blog post from just yesterday:

I have already figured out (1) that I need to let my wife select her own handgun; (2) that as in most cases, she surpasses me; (3) the wife is always right, and (4) people are people — they don’t fit into “classes” — they are persons. Brian and I are about as different as night and day, but I look forward to the time where he comes to our house and we continue to connect as friends. It is amazing how controversy can bring disparate groups of folks together to realize that they actually have more in common than not. I sincerely offer my respect to all of you in the carrying community as very good folks who try to make this a better place! bill

He's earned my respect, and I'm not going to pee on that man's parade.



Someone who is man enough to admit an error and openly change his position instead of digging in his heels and stonewalling is worthy of both respect and support.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Dr. Holda recently posted this comment on Popgun's blog post:

I fully understand the folks who are rightly suspicious of my current motives or status. I really don’t expect any accolades for changing my view. I truly believe that concealed carry on campus will pass this session. I would rather understand this issue first-hand and be at the table to discuss this in an informed manner, rather than complain from the sidelines. I have come to a much greater understanding of the type of persons who seriously carry and stay current in their proficiency. As an educator, I have to stay open to changing my mind as the truth reveals itself to me. That truth can come through facts, data, other persons and new information and experiences. In my conversations with the CHL community, I think we have moved forward by identifying some issues which will need to be worked out regarding residence hall students, early college high schools and some additional management issues. More importantly, I think there are some relationships and personal connection which will endure and be more valuable long term. If the CHL carry passes this session, I will work diligently to not only make this manageable for us, I will try to arrange certification classes for our employees, so that they too will understand better. I think it is fair to have concerns but at the same time to be open to this change in our environment. Bill

He seems to be saying that he really has had a change of heart; therefore, I think we should probably give him the benefit of the doubt until and unless he gives us further reason to question his motives.

I agree. When the Texas CHL bill passed in 1995 (SB60), two of the strongest opponents publicly admitted their opposition was unfounded. One, former Harris County DA John B. "Johnny" Holmes, even became an ardent supporter of CHL's and called for favorable revisions to Texas law. At this point, I have to take Dr. Holda at his word . . . while remaining vigilant of course.

Chas.

[Keith B]

We have to hope that Dr. Holda truly had a change of view on this. Not saying this is the case here, but I have seen many a person in high profile positions appear to have had a change of heart, when in fact they just flipped their hat to try and get on the good side of the issue in order to try and undermine it. The last thing we need is a sheep in wolf's clothing on CCoC.

[Bullwhip]

Sounds like he's open and honest. Very unusual in the college admin world.

Kilgore Rangerettes looked good in the Cotton Bowl tonight. Shame about the score.

[SlowDave]

Interesting follow-up: http://popgun.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/ ... -his-wife/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

WOW!!! That is a terrific example of how we SHOULD deal with a situation like this. And encouraging that the college president was willing to learn and try something new and seems to be responding to logic as you would expect. Don't miss the president's own (? unverified) comment after the article.