TexasCHLforum.com

stevie_d_64 wrote:...And I do not condone hate mail or other non-productive communication to these authorities or officials...That does not help either...We are way to clever for that...

I did not mean to imply that anyone who participates in this forum would send hate mail. However, anyone in the world can read this forum. Issues tend to spread from forum to forum, and eventually some hothead will do something stupid.

Several RKBA issues have generated hate e-mail to public officials and others involved.

- Jim

First off, this kind of thing can happen anywhere that a police officer is not properly informed and doesn't like ordinary citizens being armed.

I can only guess that the principal person involved (the guy who was arrested) does not want hate mail going to the police chief of that town or the DA of that county. That would not help his cause.

BTW, district attorneys are elected officials who have no boss except the voters in their county. Police chiefs in small towns answer to the city manager. Most charters specifically prohibit the mayor and city council members from trying to give orders to the chief of police or other city employees.

I agree that the whole situation stinks, and I would not be surprised if the place was a cesspool of incest and nepotism.

- Jim

The boss of the police chief is the city manager or mayor (depending upon the structure of this burgh's government. Ultimately the authority rests with the city council. Like all elected officials, they have no "boss" but the voters that elected them.

Ditto for the district attorney.

The safeguard against this kind of abuse in our system is the court, but going there costs money if you want to win.

- Jim

I second the suggestions that have been made, especially contacting the NRA, TSRA, and Texas ACLU.

With regard to the Texas ACLU, please recall that they worked with the TSRA to document the abuses of the 2005 traveling defense, which led to the 2007 Motorist Protection Act.

I don't know if any of these organizations will directly defend the guy. I wouldn't bet on it. But if they are aware of the problem, they can begin to lobby about it.

Also, if your friend lives in Mike Jackson's district, he should contact Mr. Jackson. Possibly Mr. Jackson can ask for an opinion from the Attorney General (which ordinary citizens cannot). Messrs. Jackson and Abbott are solid supporters of the RKBA.

While we would all prefer to fight this kind of injustice, it costs real money measured in thousands of dollars, which not everyone who works and supports a family can spend easily.

- Jim