Gov. Perry wants total gun freedom story at 10

[tornado]

No more bills can be submitted this session. There's a very brief window for new bills.

I'm no expert, but can't something like this be added as an amendment to an existing bill?

[seamusTX]

I'm no expert, but can't something like this be added as an amendment to an existing bill?

No. In Texas (and most other states) a bill can cover only one subject. If no existing bill modifies section 46.03 of the penal code (and I'm not aware of one), the law can't be changed until 2009.

The feds have the ability to stuff unrelated amendments into bills, and they can introduce a new bill almost any time.

- Jim

[Velocity]

This news was front page material for the Houston Chronicle today :

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4763469.html

They even got the "banned places" list correct :

"Current law prohibits the carrying of firearms, even by handgun licensees, into bars, schools, most areas of college campuses and courthouses. Churches can ban them, and governmental bodies can prohibit licensees from carrying pistols into public meetings."

Pretty good article, overall, and it's good to see the issue getting attention!

[Velocity]

The feds have the ability to stuff unrelated amendments into bills, and they can introduce a new bill almost any time.
- Jim

..unrelated to the subject at hand, but I've got to imagine that federal government would operate so much more smoothly and less "crappy" legislation (pork-barrel politics) would occur if this were eliminated and the feds were required to stick to one subject per bill, just as the states are.

[O6nop]

This news was front page material for the Houston Chronicle today :

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4763469.html

They even got the "banned places" list correct :

"Current law prohibits the carrying of firearms, even by handgun licensees, into bars, schools, most areas of college campuses and courthouses. Churches can ban them, and governmental bodies can prohibit licensees from carrying pistols into public meetings."

Pretty good article, overall, and it's good to see the issue getting attention!

another quote from the article:
""We're not in the Wild West anymore," Tommie Garza of Houston, executive director of Texans for Gun Safety, said of the governor's idea. "It doesn't seem like the sensible thing to do.""

Can he make a valid point?
He's attempting to make an argument because something doesn't 'feel' right!

[seamusTX]

... I've got to imagine that federal government would operate so much more smoothly and less "crappy" legislation (pork-barrel politics) would occur if this were eliminated and the feds were required to stick to one subject per bill, ...

I've thought about this a lot. If I were king for a day, I would amend the Constitution to require it.

A lot of legislation would never pass if legislators were not "persuaded" by special provisions unrelated to the main subject of the bill, and a lot of dodgy things would not be sneaked in in the middle of the night.

- Jim

[phddan]

I'll believe it when I see it. Call me skeptical, but it is coming on the back of the VT shootings. Smells of political posturing to me. Where has he stood on this up until this time?
And if he was looking out for our best interest, he would outlaw sanctuary cities, and throw the book at all the politicians who aid and abeit criminals. You know, uphold the law!!!

Dan

[pbandjelly]

Basically, if it is not posted 30.06 or 51%, carry away!

[rant="51%"]
I realize full well that everyone on this forum neeEEeever touches the ol' firewater, but I HATE the 51% thing.
SO many times I go to a bar/club to see bands play.
nope, not the symphony (though I love all styles of music).
If I'm not one of the dredges getting hammered all the time, then why must I give up my firearm. I mean, I have my weapon (my brain) with my at all times, and have never had an issue.
but I defy ANYONE to walk through those little sub-parking lots in Deep Ellum, and not feel a little aprehensive.
fine, make it if you're intoxicated to the slightest degreee you can't carry. I don't care about that. I care about thousands of dollars worth of drums, guitars, amplifiers... I care about those bums milling around down there, with "nothing left to lose." not to mention the GB's that lurve to frequent that area.....
[/rant]

[tornado]

This is generating lots of water cooler discussions today, obviously. Lots of "Oh, no -- they'll shoot everyone!"

Anybody have any newer direct comparison than this?

An Analysis Of The Arrest Rate Of Texas Concealed Handgun License Holders As Compared To The Arrest Rate Of The Entire Texas Population 1996 - 1998, Revised to include 1999 and 2000 data

[Greybeard]

Today, from FW web site. I sent Mr. Root an e-mail regarding his wording about churches and hospitals, noting they came off the list of prohibited locations some 10 years ago ... Since he started the thing off on a rather positive note, I've not said anything (yet) about his last sentence.

Allow concealed guns anywhere, governor says
By JAY ROOT
Star-Telegram staff writer

AUSTINGov. Rick Perry, mulling ways to stop the kind of murderous rampages that recently left 33 dead on a college campus in Virginia, said Monday that there's one sure-fire solution he likes: Allow Texans to take their concealed handguns anywhere.

Period.

Perry said he opposes concealed-gun-toting restrictions at all -- in a hospital, a public school, a beer joint or even the local courthouse.

"The last time I checked, putting a sign up that says don't bring your weapons in here, someone who has ill intent on their mind -- they could care less," Perry told reporters. "I think it makes sense for Texans to be able to protect themselves from deranged individuals, whether they're in church or whether on a college campus or wherever."

As reporters began listing places where concealed-permit holders face restrictions, Perry cut off the questioning and made it clear that he meant anywhere at all.

Under existing law, secured airport areas, hospitals, courthouses, bars, churches and schools are among the places where weapons are or can be banned, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. People entering federal courts are routinely required to leave cellphones behind.

"Let me cover it right here," Perry said. "I think a person ought to be able to carry their weapons with them anywhere in this state if they are licensed and they have gone through the training. The idea that you're going to exempt them from a particular place is nonsense to me."

State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, called Perry's proposal "a terrible idea."

"Anybody has a right to tell somebody that they can't bring their handgun into their place of business," Burnam said. "I think the governor is just overreaching in a counterproductive way, and it's kind of typical [for the] governor -- shoot from the hip, literally and figuratively."

Perry made the remarks at a news conference after meeting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt to discuss ways to prevent mass shootings and make schools safer. The discussion stems from President Bush's drive to find solutions in the wake of the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech.

About 260,000 Texans, who have undergone mandatory background checks and training, are licensed to carry a concealed weapon, records show. In the last fiscal year, 180 licenses were revoked and 493 were suspended.

Jay Root reports from the Star-Telegram 's Austin bureau. 512-476-4294
jroot@star-telegram.com

[PatrickS]

Allow concealed guns anywhere, governor says

While in principle I'm in favor of this happening, I also expect
it will result in a huge number of new 30.06 postings as awareness
of CHL holders increases due to such a bill.

Maybe it will only be a short-lived inconvenience, with most of them
coming down eventually in favor of business from law abiding
citizens, but then, maybe not.

[maximus2161]

Allow concealed guns anywhere, governor says

While in principle I'm in favor of this happening, I also expect
it will result in a huge number of new 30.06 postings as awareness
of CHL holders increases due to such a bill.

Maybe it will only be a short-lived inconvenience, with most of them
coming down eventually in favor of business from law abiding
citizens, but then, maybe not.

Good point but I hope that doesnt happen. Hopefully most business will not post more 30.06 signage. For one it looks ugly and also advertises to criminal that law abiding citizens are not allowed to carry.

I just wonder if this is just talk or if it will get passed.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I've already drafted the bill . . . for 2009 of course.

Chas.