Charles L. Cotton wrote:steveincowtown wrote:Charles L. Cotton wrote:Lest I me misquoted again, I want to begin by saying I am not opposed to unlicensed carry of a handgun. I also am confident that it will not pass in Texas in 2017.
As an attorney and a former police officer, the idea of people carrying handguns without 1) knowledge of the law; 2) sufficient skill at arms to survive a deadly assault; and 3) protection from the federal Gun Free School Zone law, worries me. My concern isn't that unlicensed people will be a safety issue for society.
Chas.
I certainly respect your opinion as a former LEO, and Attorney, a champion of gun rights, and a current LTC instructor. The fact remains that unlicensed carry hasn't been an issue in other states, and I suspect that in Texas it will work out the same.
With regards to knowledge of the law, a 1/2 day course doesn't provide this. You see post on this board all the time with questions from LTCers on material that should have been covered in the course. One must make the personal choice to become a student of the law.
With regards to having sufficient skill to survive an assault. This is unrelated to licensing and is in no way covered in the Texas LTC course. One must make the personal choice to acquire these skills.
With regards the Gun Free School Zone law this hasn't been an issue in other states and I don't see it becoming one in Texas. I also can't find a case where someone was convicted of just this. It is usually more of a tag on charge.
I would be lying if I said I was pretty bummed out that an NRA board member has this view of not only the points above, but the possibility of unlicensed carry moving forward.
The more I think about your post, the more puzzled I become. Which of my views causes you concern? Is it my support for unlicensed carry?
First let me acknowledge that this is your house, and your dinner party. If you don’t want something to discuss something that is most certainly your prerogative.
Re: unlicensed carry- I certainly believe you support it, but as an LTC instructor who benefits from the current licensing program I believe this could be seen as a conflict of priorities. I am also 100% sure that the fees you collect from teaching classes aren’t a big part of your income. I suspect that being an attorney pays better than being an instructor.
Charles L. Cotton wrote: Is it my desire that good people not get into legal trouble because of a lack of knowledge?
The fact is that people just do not get charged with violating school zones all that often. Although the data is old, according to “Americans for Gun Safety” only 40 cases were brought from 2000-2002. Also, according to the NRA federal prosecution of gun crimes is down 40% since Obama took office.
“Federal prosecutors filed only 40 cases against those who brought a gun onto school property”
http://content.thirdway.org/publication ... gnored.pdf
“Jennifer Baker of the NRA cited her group's calculation that federal gun prosecutions have declined 40% under Obama's administration, after peaking in 2004.”
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/09/politics/ ... ement-gap/
Charles L. Cotton wrote: Is it my concern that good people may be injured or killed in a self-defense situation because they do not have the skill at arms to defend themselves?
I think this is great and I feel the same way. This is however I no way related to licensed or unlicensed carry. LTC classes do not have a “skills” portion and it is every gun owners (or chainsaw owner, or 4 wheeler owner, etc.) to take the personal responsibility of learning how to use this tool correctly.
Charles L. Cotton wrote: Or is it the fact that I know the Legislature's opinion of unlicensed carry at this point in time?
I whole heartedly believe this as well, I just wish we had a better game time attitude. You are, and have been for many years, the leader when it comes to pushing forward LTC rights. I equate you stating publicly that CC is DOA with a Football Coach coming out on game day and telling the team “hey guys, we aren’t going to be champions, but let me tell you what games we can win.”
No matter how factual this is, I don’t think admitting failure before the game starts helps any of us.
Charles L. Cotton wrote:
I'm stumped.
Chas.
As I said, I am just here for respectful discussion. It’s your house.
it strikes me odd that folks want you to get training for an inalienable right that is backed by the 2nd amendment.
