Texas Rep. Armando Martinez shot in head, in stable condition

[Jusme]

Never let a tragedy go without politicizing it. He is now proposing legislation to prohibit celebratory gun fire.

https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/02 ... ebratory-/


Of course we already have laws that do that but why not get some mileage out of being shot in the head?

[bblhd672]

Martinez said that there were a lot of people in the area celebrating the start of the new year by firing guns in the air before he was hit.

“I think that’s something that definitely needs to change.” Martinez said. “Growing up, we grew up around guns. You know, I have a (concealed handgun license). I’m a hunter. But everybody knows better than to get a gun and fire it up in the air because what goes up must come down.”

How about a new law mandating firearms safety be taught in schools? And not a curriculum devised by Moms Demand Something or Other.

Obviously Mr. Martinez "everyone knows better" is not true. Perhaps EDUCATION rather than indoctrination would be a better approach.

Besides, you can't legislate away stupidity.

[Jusme]

Martinez said that there were a lot of people in the area celebrating the start of the new year by firing guns in the air before he was hit.

“I think that’s something that definitely needs to change.” Martinez said. “Growing up, we grew up around guns. You know, I have a (concealed handgun license). I’m a hunter. But everybody knows better than to get a gun and fire it up in the air because what goes up must come down.”

How about a new law mandating firearms safety be taught in schools? And not a curriculum devised by Moms Demand Something or Other.

Obviously Mr. Martinez "everyone knows better" is not true. Perhaps EDUCATION rather than indoctrination would be a better approach.

Besides, you can't legislate away stupidity.

Exactly, not only is would a new law be redundant, it would be no easier to enforce that the existing laws. His "everybody knows" approach is ridiculous. I think "everybody knows" it's wrong to rob liquor stores, but those who think they won't get caught will do it anyway. He probably should wait for the swelling to go down before he makes any more public statements. JMHO

[treadlightly]

The real tragedy may be coming. I've heard it is not uncommon for brain trauma to manifest with seizures some weeks or months after an injury.

I hate to voice political concerns over an individual's trouble, but as the legislative season opens he could be back in a hospital with life changing difficulties.

I pray for Martinez' full recovery. I also pray our rights do not fall.

Put another way, I've had relatives killed in traffic accidents where alcohol was a factor. Forgive me, but that gives me no desire to further regulate either alcohol or automobiles.

Punish crime, celebrate freedom - but never with irresponsible use of guns.

At least Martinez has his LTC.

[bmwrdr]

...
As far as I'm concerned, anyone shooting a gun into the air anywhere near or in a populated area, for any reason other than legitimate defense of self and/or property, ought to have their 2nd Amendment rights infringed for some period of time, even if nobody gets hurt. This is just my opinion, nothing more. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that rights come with responsibilities; but on a moral plane, any sane person knows that they certainly do.

Agreed, a) it is a uncontrolled shot and b) no reason to fire a hot round on new years eve, a dummy round or firecracker would be appropriate for the purpose.

[tbrown]

Did this happen in a county that voted for Clinton?

[Skiprr]

Did this happen in a county that voted for Clinton?

Yep. Hidalgo County voted 2.44-to-1 for Clinton. Of all Texas counties with more than 100,000 votes cast, only El Paso had a larger margin going Hillary's way at 2.67-to-1.