YMCA @ Westheimer in Katy posts VERY COMPLIANT 30.06

[McKnife]

After coming home from college, I’m noticing these stupid 30.06 signs popping up more and more.

I noticed this one as I was walking to the front of the YMCA building to sign up to use their exercise equipment. It is VERY COMPLIANT... probably the most conspicuous 30.06 I’ve ever seen. I would take pictures but I lack a digital camera.

They advertise:
“To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.� -- Yeah, while disarming law abiding citizens to boot.

While I respect a property owner’s decisions, I can’t understand why one would deny CHLers access to a building. I just don’t get it.

Anyways… here is the contact information if y’all are so inclined to spread some knowledge… hopefully they are just confused on which sign they should post… like the 'unlawful possession' sign. Needless to say, I didn't give them any business.

YMCA of Greater Houston
Katy Family YMCA
22807 Westheimer Pkwy
Katy, TX 77494

Phone: 281.392.5055
Manager: Michael Batiato
Email: michaelb@ymcahouston.org


Comments are welcome.

[Idjut]

The Clay Road and Downtown (Houston) YMCAs both have 30.06 signs that are compliant except for (to my eye) letter height.

I haven't been since receiving my license.

[McKnife]

Perhaps it's a company policy thing... similar to Taco Cabana?

Anyone know any more information?

[Kalrog]

I know that the Twin Lakes YMCA in Williamson County does not post.

[TxBlonde]

I will check the YMCA here and see if they have one. But last time I was over there I do not remember it being there.

[Venus Pax]

How's this?

Dear Mr. Batiato,
I have recently been made aware of a sign posted at the entrance of the YMCA at 22807 Westheimer Pkway. This sign notifies concealed handgun license (CHL) holders that they cannot carry their concealed weapons in the building. (CHL holders refer to this as the "30.06 sign".)

I would like to make you aware of some facts related to CHL holders in Texas:

1. A CHL holder has no felony convictions on his/her record.
2. A CHL holder has not had a class A or B misdemeanor within five years of the original issuance of the license.
3. A CHL holder is not mentally incapable.
4. A CHL holder is not permitted to be chemically dependent.
5. A CHL holder has received training in the law of self-defense.
6. A CHL holder has passed a handgun qualification exercise.
7. All CHL holders are 21-years-old or older.
8. CHL holders do not have outstanding child support payments and are not in default on student loans.

CHL holders pride themselves on being upstanding citizens--they typically avoid criminal behavior to the letter of the law. For that reason, they will not enter your business armed when they see your sign. However, most guard their second amendment rights with a ferver. They will usually take their business elsewhere rather than accept what they perceive as an insult to their character and responsibility level.

May I offer, as an alternative to the 30.06 sign, the posting of a sign forbidding the unlicensed possession of a firearm? This will allow you to make the statement that you do not want criminal behavior, while respecting the wishes of lawful gun carriers.

I encourage you to visit the Department of Public Safety (DPS) website. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ You will find a great deal of information about the CHL holders in your community.

Thank you for you time and attention.

[lrb111]

VP, May i use your letter. It is excellent in my opinion.
I will only change it near the end.

Dear Mr. X.....,
I have recently been made aware of a sign posted at the entrance of the _____________law abiding legal licensees. This sign notifies concealed handgun license (CHL) holders that they cannot carry their concealed weapons in the building. (CHL holders refer to this as the "30.06 sign".)

I would like to make you aware of some facts related to CHL holders in Texas:

1. A CHL holder has no felony convictions on his/her record.
2. A CHL holder has not had a class A or B misdemeanor within five years of the original issuance of the license.
3. A CHL holder is not mentally incapable.
4. A CHL holder is not permitted to be chemically dependent.
5. A CHL holder has received training in the law of self-defense.
6. A CHL holder has passed a handgun qualification exercise.
7. All CHL holders are 21-years-old or older.
8. CHL holders do not have outstanding child support payments and are not in default on student loans.

CHL holders pride themselves on being upstanding citizens--they typically avoid criminal behavior to the letter of the law. For that reason, they will not enter your business armed when they see your sign. However, most guard their second amendment rights with a ferver. They will usually take their business elsewhere rather than accept what they perceive as an insult to their character and responsibility level.

May I offer, as an alternative to the 30.06 sign, the posting of a sign forbidding the unlicensed possession of a firearm? This will allow you to make the statement that you do not want criminal behavior, while respecting the law abiding legal licensees.

I encourage you to visit the Department of Public Safety (DPS) website. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ You will find a great deal of information about the CHL holders in your community.

Thank you for you time and attention.

[MTICop]

I like that. Good letter. Doubt it will work but I would be willing to sign my name to it on the chance that it would.

[dihappy]

Although you state that CHL holders have no felony convictions.

I would probably make it read better by adding that we have had our backgrounds checked by DPS and the FBI :)

[TxBlonde]

And finger prints and not behind on Taxes either.

[ForbidInjustice]

Excellent letter. +1!

I wonder if he received a response back from the manager?

[McKnife]

UPDATE:

Still waiting on a response. I used the letter from the posting above and modified it a bit.

Fantastic template to use for any 30.06 run-ins.

Many Thanks to everyone and I will update again soon.

[Venus Pax]

Anyone, feel free to use it.
Modify it as needed. I was just reading off of my "no guns = no money" card that I keep in my wallet.

[McKnife]

RESPONSE RECEIVED @ 3pm today

......................................................................


Dear Sir-

I certainly understand your position regarding handguns and CHL holders. It seems fairly logical that individuals that take the time become a CHL holder are not the individuals perpetrating the vast majority of gun crimes. While I have not seen any studies I do not have a lot of diffculty believing your assertion regarding CHL holders and gun crime.

This policy is a Greater Houston YMCA Association-wide policy and is directly related to child safety. While you may choose to carry your weapon at all times some others may choose to store a weapon in the lockers. Our lockers are not a secure method to store a handgun, we have had locker broken into in the past. The greatest fear is that a weapon is stolen on premises and then used on premises.

If we were to allow handguns on premises would we also have the added task of verifying CHL licenses? How often should we check to make sure our handgun carrying members are in compliance with the licensing?

I respect your position and appreciate the fact that you have chosen to register your firearm and become a CHL holder. This is an an interesting question, one that I cannot solely address. The YMCA is a membership organization, this would be the type of question that the members should participate in addressing. Secondly, as I stated above, this policy is an association-wide policy not a Katy YMCA policy.

I do know this, if we do not have any guns on the premises then we will not have any children or adults shot. We are currently acting on behalf of the safety of our members and I would even suggest that we are acting in accordance with the wishes of the vast majority of our members.



Michael Batiato
Executive Director
Katy Family YmCA
281-392-5055
281-392-4664 - Fax

Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard

....................................................................................................



Alright... this guy needs to be educated... I would appreciate some help with further pursuing this. Many thanks.

[nuparadigm]

RESPONSE RECEIVED @ 3pm today

......................................................................




....I do know this, if we do not have any guns on the premises then we will not have any children or adults shot. We are currently acting on behalf of the safety of our members and I would even suggest that we are acting in accordance with the wishes of the vast majority of our members.



Michael Batiato
Executive Director
Katy Family YmCA
281-392-5055
281-392-4664 - Fax

Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard

....................................................................................................

We do have some work to do allright. We have chosen to "register" our firearms?

I used to be a member to the Y and am no longer one due to this mindset. It creates a target-rich environment for someone who is searching for one.

As far as his education goes, he has ducked out of it by saying two different things (a) it's an association-wide policy and (b) the membership should decide. If "a" is the case, then the unit managers as a whole as well as their executive hierarchy should be the subjects of the education. If it's "b", then each constituent member is the subject for education prior to a called vote of the membership. Either way, Mr. Batiato has removed himself from the equation.

The next step would be to discover from Mr. Batiato exactly whether it is "a" or "b" and proceed accordingly.