Trying to clear up some mis-information

[DiverDn]

Well we made it to Iowa and just took our concealed carry class. Iowa has a long way to go to be a "user friendly" carry state.

Many folks had questions about Texas chl laws and a couple of issues were brougt up both in class and in a theard on Iowacarry.org's site that I had never heard before.

Here are a couple of quotes, from that site I would like to address. Does anyone know if there is any truth to these statements?
Thanks
John

Quote "Now, if you defend yourself from a direct assault you'll get arrested (it's required by law in Texas!) and you'll have to prove you were innocent of murder! This is nuts!!!"

Quote "In Texas from 1997 to 2000, there were 27 permit holders arrested for murder. It's automatic in Texas when ever there is a shooting. Of those 27, all but 3 walked away free."

[seamusTX]

Now, if you defend yourself from a direct assault you'll get arrested (it's required by law in Texas!) and you'll have to prove you were innocent of murder! This is nuts!!!

Well, it is nuts. Nothing in Texas law requires you to be arrested after defending yourself. If the case seems like lawful self defense to the responding police officer, no arrest will occur.

In Texas from 1997 to 2000, there were 27 permit holders arrested for murder. It's automatic in Texas when ever there is a shooting. Of those 27, all but 3 walked away free.

This sounds like it was just made up.

DPS keeps records of offenses committed by CHL holders. The latest available is for 2001:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... vrates.htm

That was not necessarily in connection with self defense.

- Jim

[Glockamolie]

First, I would've said "Prove it." They can't, because they're wrong on both counts. Where do people get these things?

[seamusTX]

First, I would've said "Prove it."

That's an appropriate response. If someone says there's an invisible elephant in the refrigerator, the burden of proof is on him.

Unfortunately, logic usually doesn't win Internet arguments.

Where do people get these things?

Some of it is urban legend. Some of it comes from mangled statistics thrown around by anti-gun groups.

A couple of years ago, one of the big ones announced that Texas CHL holders had committed a huge number of offenses, some multiple of 10,000. That was technically true, but they included things like failing to pay federal income tax or child support - and didn't mention that.

Later: I was way off on the number. More like 2,000 arrests, not convictions. The documents that I was thinking of are here:
http://www.vpc.org/press/9903ltk2.htm
http://www.vpc.org/studies/ltk3intr.htm

Note they are from 1999 and 2000.

- Jim

[OverEasy]

DiverDn,

Do us a big favor. Tell the people in Iowa to stay there!

Regards, OE

[The Marshal]

Iowa, eh?

Q: How do you know its Prom Night in Iowa?
A: By the number of tractors circling the Dairy Queen.

State Motto: We Do Amazing Things With Corn

Sooo, did you ask them where is it legal to carry your firearm on your tractor?

(One of my bestest buddies is a hog/cattle/corn farmer in IA.)


~Bill

[DiverDn]

Thanks for the help.