Metal Detectors in the Capitol

[Kythas]

This was mentioned on American Thinker today.

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/201 ... ss_li.html

May 21, 2010
In Texas, guns OK in 'express line' at State Capitol
David Paulin
It's a sign of the times. Due to security concerns prompted by the occasional knife-wielding wacko and other nutcases, airport-style security checkpoints have gone up at the entrances of the Texas Capitol building in Austin. But not to worry. An express-line is also available that allows some Texans to quickly bypass the checkpoints -- folks with concealed handgun permits who are packing.

Interestingly, violence and crime caused by people with concealed handgun permits is unheard of in Texas. Accordingly, the security checkpoints (along with those who are packing) ought to make the capitol building safer than ever.

The Austin American-Statesman has the story.

[A-R]

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/ ... _guns.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Statesman story includes numerous references to lobbyists who're complaining about having to go through the screening while average Joe's with CHL get to enter the fast lane.

Now the lobbyists say they're going to get CHLs so they can enter faster too (though they claim they won't carry). Think I found my new marketing gimmick once I get my CHL Instructor license ... lobbyists welcome to attend classes to get their Capitol entrance fast pass, only TWICE the price that I'll charge a normal honest hard-working Texan for the same course of course they'll probably all flunk the shooting test anyway.

So the only question remaining is ... what's a poor lil' ol' Brady Bunch lobbyist to do???

[joe817]

[quote="austinrealtor"] The Statesman story includes numerous references to lobbyists who're complaining about having to go through the screening while average Joe's with CHL get to enter the fast lane.

Now the lobbyists say they're going to get CHLs so they can enter faster too (though they claim they won't carry). Think I found my new marketing gimmick once I get my CHL Instructor license ... lobbyists welcome to attend classes to get their Capitol entrance fast pass, only TWICE the price that I'll charge a normal honest hard-working Texan for the same course of course they'll probably all flunk the shooting test anyway.

So the only question remaining is ... what's a poor lil' ol' Brady Bunch lobbyist to do???


<in my best born Texan English accent> "by jove Watson, That's it!! Great idea! offering a CHL class to lobbyists! Why...they can't waste their time waiting in line to get to the Representative & Senators doors! They MUST have quick entry to their bread & butter! Great idea a.r.!

And it would seem to me that it would be politically expedient for a Brady Lobbyist to get the CHL. Wouldn't THAT be a hoot?

[Dragonfighter]

I am a bit surprised. I wasn't even aware there was a mag-strip on the back of my CHL. That does make me wonder what information is encoded there and what happens to that information after it's been swiped. (I presume the same information is on the stripe as is printed on the front of the license.)

It has the same information as is printed on the front with the possibility of a digitized image, this reduces counterfeiting. DL's, military ID's (smart chips), etc.

[A-R]

So the only question remaining is ... what's a poor lil' ol' Brady Bunch lobbyist to do???

And it would seem to me that it would be politically expedient for a Brady Lobbyist to get the CHL. Wouldn't THAT be a hoot?

As soon as I found out someone in my class was a member of the Brady bunch, I'd throw them out faster than you can say "Marcia Marcia Marcia"

[stash]

I wonder if anyone knows what is going on. A local Austin news station reported last night (5/21/10) that as the CHLer went thru the "special" line the DPS would run the license to make sure it had not been revoked.

I am not sure if the lobbyist play is a good/bad thing or makes no difference for us.

The article about the lobbyists also indicated that visitors going thru the security line did not think that people with guns (us) should be allowed in.

I hope the state does not change their mind ans says no one get in with a gun unless you are politico or something.

[wgoforth]

Good article at http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/m ... detectors/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tacticool]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 16253.html

leana Ramirez, 24, of Mission, went through the metal detector and then waited while a trooper ran a metal detecting wand over her. Ramirez also thought allowing guns into the building made the metal detectors less than meaningful.

"You don’t know who they are," Ramirez said, referring to people with a badge. "What if they go crazy?"

I changed "the state-issued permits" to "a badge" but the meaning is the same.

[VoiceofReason]

I just read the Barnicle (Chronicle) article and to say I'm not shocked they mostly interviewed people who are anti-gun would be an understatement. The comments are good though.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 16253.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you need some good facts on crime rates concerning CHL compared to the general public, go to http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... vrates.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The latest data is from 01/01/2007 to 12/31/2007. I don’t know why it does not have any more recent data. Keep in mind Title 10 of the Penal Code Chapter 46 Sec. 46.035 can only be violated by a license holder. That is why you see 60%. I can’t quite understand though why others could violate this law.

Total Offenses by CHL holders was only 0.2612%.

They might have interviewed others but just printed the interviews that conformed to their bias.

[carlson1]

This should be the same set up at courthouses or any where else that is supported by tax payers.

[CrimsonSoul]

I see an easy fix for this, make CHLers go through the Metal detectors and then show there CHL to the officer doing searches when it goes off.

Edit: and to ease their fears they should issue a CHL badge that we can wear on out belts so everyone sees the badge and feels safe!

[cougartex]

[¿Qué?]

I see an easy fix for this, make CHLers go through the Metal detectors and then show there CHL to the officer doing searches when it goes off.

That's a step backwards.

[RPB]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 16253.html

leana Ramirez, 24, of Mission, went through the metal detector and then waited while a trooper ran a metal detecting wand over her. Ramirez also thought allowing guns into the building made the metal detectors less than meaningful.

"You don’t know who they are," Ramirez said, referring to people with a badge. "What if they go crazy?"

I changed "the state-issued permits" to "a badge" but the meaning is the same.

"You don’t know who they are," Ramirez said, referring to armed legislators. "What if they go crazy and pass silly laws like they do in D.C.?"

I changed "a badge" to armed legislators. , but it's a different worry I guess it may have changed the meaning .... but maybe not.

I see an easy fix for this, make CHLers go through the Metal detectors and then show there CHL to the officer doing searches when it goes off.

Edit: and to ease their fears they should issue a CHL badge that we can wear on out belts so everyone sees the badge and feels safe!

I want a CHL sash to go with the badge. Preferably a silk yellow one, maybe velvet in the Winter.

This should be the same set up at courthouses or any where else that is supported by tax payers.

[A-R]

This should be the same set up at courthouses or any where else that is supported by tax payers.