I then called the Donor Advocacy number in Bedford, and explained the situation and my dissatisfaction. All she could do was listen and take notes, with the promise that she also would pass along the info. I have since generated the following letter:
I will update this thread if I receive anything from Carter.26 January 2016
Carter Blood Care
Attn: Donor Advocacy
2205 Hwy 121
Bedford, TX 76021
817-412-5370
Greetings –
I am writing this letter to inform you that regretfully I will no longer be donating at Carter Blood Care. If you wish to check your donor records, you will find that I have been donating regularly since 1991 when you were Wadley Blood Center and subsequently Carter Blood Care. I have freely donated more than 50 gallons during this time period, and I had expected to continue donating as long as Carter Blood Care would allow me to.
However, with the recent posting of signs – specifically Texas 30.06 Penal Code prohibiting the licensed carrying of concealed handguns, I will not be entering any Carter Blood Care facility.
Your facilities are posted with both 30.06 and 30.07 signs, with the 30.07 sign prohibiting the licensed open carrying of handguns. With the recent passing of Texas law allowing licensed open carrying of handguns, I do understand that a business owner may not want exposed handguns within their establishment. However, I do hope that you understand that the two laws are separate, and do not have to be connected. That is to say, you may choose to prohibit open carry (30.07) but you may allow concealed carry by removing the 30.06 signs.
Texas made licensed concealed carry legal on September 1, 1995, some 20 years ago. Since that time, you have had no signs prohibiting licensed concealed carry and you have likely had numerous, licensed handguns within your facility. Personally, I became licensed about 6 years ago, and have had a concealed handgun with me every time I have donated at Carter Blood Care since then.
Please understand that Texas’ licenses (formerly CHL – Concealed Handgun License and now LTC – License to Carry) are not easy to attain. Every licensee has to undergo extensive Federal and State background checks. The background checks verify the following regarding the licensee:
• Never been convicted of a felony.
• Never been convicted of a crime of violence.
• Never been convicted of domestic violence.
• Not addicted to or use illegal drugs.
• Are of sound mental condition.
When a facility prohibits the legal carrying of handguns, all it does is remove the legal, licensed handguns. If someone wishes to enter a facility with criminal intent, the signs will be of no deterrence to them. In fact, they would be more likely to enter that “gun-free zone” with the knowledge that no one inside is legally carrying a handgun.
I hope that you will reconsider removing both sets of signs. If someone were to enter your facility with a holstered, openly visible handgun all that is required is that a person with the authority to speak for Carter to give verbal notice that exposed handguns are not allowed. The carrier either must leave and may return without the handgun or face criminal trespassing charges.
If you do not wish to remove both signs, then at least consider removing the 30.06 sign prohibiting concealed carry. If someone enters with a concealed handgun, it will remain concealed, and no one in the facility will notice or become alarmed.
If you wish to contact me for a polite conversation regarding this matter, you may call me at the phone number I have provided.
I do hope that you will consider this matter, as I would like to resume my donations. I understand that it is your right to post the signs, but you should also understand that it is my right to refuse to do business with any facility that has the 30.06 postings, and you have lost me as a (hopefully) valued donor.
Sincerely,
Wayne Kube
Copy to the Allen Donor Center
