Overthehill wrote:Just one question. If Federal law already prohibits stopping just to inquire for a liscense and both amendments simply restate federal law then why, except to kill open carry, did some in the law enforcement community raise such a stink and why did the representatives roll over and vote not to concur. If law enforcement is truly prohibited from committing an act why was reinforcement of that prohibition an issue of such import? Or is the federal prohibition not factual? Simply seeking greater knowledge.
Federal law isn't explicit, but a district court ruled that it's prohibited. My best guess is that some in LE would prefer it still be a somewhat gray area open to interpretation (and other rulings), rather than codified in Texas law.
I
wish those supporting that type of stop and search would say it outright - that a policeman observing someone can simply on a hunch, stop and ask them for their papers. Supporters won't say that, for obvious reason; so instead they cloak it in "police need to be able to do their jobs".
Apparently, some lawmakers (and law officers) have a different interpretation than I of what that job is.