Update: Support HB972 - debate tomorrow (5/14)

[CJD]

So it's no longer illegal but they can still prohibit it. And as an employee I could be fired for violating policy. And that's called progress? {{{sigh}}} My gun still stays in the car, and I'm not better off than I was before this law was passed (if indeed it is passed.)

Why would you leave it in the car? Under what circumstances would they ever know you had it, unless you had to use it (better that you had it) or you get stopped by police on campus (not illegal so unless they report you to the university, which I don't see why they would because it's none of their business) then you should be fine.

[Bladed]

So it's no longer illegal but they can still prohibit it. And as an employee I could be fired for violating policy. And that's called progress? {{{sigh}}} My gun still stays in the car, and I'm not better off than I was before this law was passed (if indeed it is passed.)

The fact that this bill won't solve all of your problems doesn't mean its not a step in the right direction. Rome wasn't built in a day.

There is a lot of good stuff in CSHB 972, and it would put us a lot closer to ultimately passing comprehensive campus carry.

We must be careful not to make the perfect the enemy of the good. If on December 31, carrying in a campus building is a felony, and a student CHL holder can be expelled for keeping a handgun in his or her car, but on January 1, carrying in a campus building is not a crime, and a student CHL holder cannot be expelled for keeping a handgun in his or her car, I call that progress.

[jmra]

So it's no longer illegal but they can still prohibit it. And as an employee I could be fired for violating policy. And that's called progress? {{{sigh}}} My gun still stays in the car, and I'm not better off than I was before this law was passed (if indeed it is passed.)

The fact that this bill won't solve all of your problems doesn't mean its not a step in the right direction. Rome wasn't built in a day.

There is a lot of good stuff in CSHB 972, and it would put us a lot closer to ultimately passing comprehensive campus carry.

We must be careful not to make the perfect the enemy of the good. If on December 31, carrying in a campus building is a felony, and a student CHL holder can be expelled for keeping a handgun in his or her car, but on January 1, carrying in a campus building is not a crime, and a student CHL holder cannot be expelled for keeping a handgun in his or her car, I call that progress.

[Bladed]

So it's no longer illegal but they can still prohibit it. And as an employee I could be fired for violating policy. And that's called progress? {{{sigh}}} My gun still stays in the car, and I'm not better off than I was before this law was passed (if indeed it is passed.)

Why would you leave it in the car? Under what circumstances would they ever know you had it, unless you had to use it (better that you had it) or you get stopped by police on campus (not illegal so unless they report you to the university, which I don't see why they would because it's none of their business) then you should be fine.

I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable giving someone this type of advice. Deciding to jeopardize one's career/livelihood is a very serious, very personal decision.

On one hand, you have the possibility that you might need a handgun for self-defense. On the other hand, you have the possibility that a coworker might spot your handgun and report you. That's a decision not to be taken lightly.

Also, I wouldn't assume that campus police won't be instructed to report anyone caught on campus with a firearm. At most major universities, the campus police work for the university.

[CJD]

So it's no longer illegal but they can still prohibit it. And as an employee I could be fired for violating policy. And that's called progress? {{{sigh}}} My gun still stays in the car, and I'm not better off than I was before this law was passed (if indeed it is passed.)

Why would you leave it in the car? Under what circumstances would they ever know you had it, unless you had to use it (better that you had it) or you get stopped by police on campus (not illegal so unless they report you to the university, which I don't see why they would because it's none of their business) then you should be fine.

I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable giving someone this type of advice. Deciding to jeopardize one's career/livelihood is a very serious, very personal decision.

On one hand, you have the possibility that you might need a handgun for self-defense. On the other hand, you have the possibility that a coworker might spot your handgun and report you. That's a decision not to be taken lightly.

Also, I wouldn't assume that campus police won't be instructed to report anyone caught on campus with a firearm. At most major universities, the campus police work for the university.

Fair enough. And it is a personal decision, I guess I was just saying that's what I would do. If it wasn't illegal I'd carry at A&M right now, even risking expulsion.

[NEB]

Honestly, there is a difference in being expelled and getting fired. It's easier to get someone to take your money than it is to convince someone to give you some.

As a faculty member (you can probably guess where), it is frustrating to not be able to carry. This bill might allow me to do so within the confines of the law, but the penalties for getting "caught" would be pretty prohibitive. That's a really tough call to make.

--NEB

[CJD]

Honestly, there is a difference in being expelled and getting fired. It's easier to get someone to take your money than it is to convince someone to give you some.

As a faculty member (you can probably guess where), it is frustrating to not be able to carry. This bill might allow me to do so within the confines of the law, but the penalties for getting "caught" would be pretty prohibitive. That's a really tough call to make.

--NEB

True. My thoughts are this: some say it's better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6, but the situation about which we are speaking is even less severe, so the choice should be even more apparent. That is only if you buy into the first statement, however.

[Jaguar]

If this passes and makes it so carry is not against the law, yet against university policy, staff and students will be in the same boat as thousands, if not tens of thousands other Texans who work in places where company policy prohibits carry but the business is not posted 30.06 so anyone can walk in carrying.

Present company included.

It is better than being against the law IMHO.

[CJD]

It is better than being against the law IMHO.

[J.R.@A&M]

Honestly, there is a difference in being expelled and getting fired. It's easier to get someone to take your money than it is to convince someone to give you some.

As a faculty member (you can probably guess where), it is frustrating to not be able to carry. This bill might allow me to do so within the confines of the law, but the penalties for getting "caught" would be pretty prohibitive. That's a really tough call to make.

--NEB

Look at this this way, NEB. When you come to College Station, you could carry in A&M buildings, just like I could in Texas Tech buildings. Now how's that for an ironic twist? Matter of fact I would make a POINT of carrying the next time I visit the Tech campus.

More generally, the ability of visiting CHLs carrying in university buildings could dilute the opposition's argument about violating the "sanctity" of "gun free" campus buildings.

[terryg]

If this passes and makes it so carry is not against the law, yet against university policy, staff and students will be in the same boat as thousands, if not tens of thousands other Texans who work in places where company policy prohibits carry but the business is not posted 30.06 so anyone can walk in carrying.

Present company included.

It is better than being against the law IMHO.

This is it exactly.

And, I have only forgotten I was still armed when entering my office one time in 15+ years. I had stopped by the store on the way in and so entered the parking lot from a different direction. Somehow that threw my routine off and I forgot to lock it up. Anyway, for those few minuets until I got back to the car, I was committing a felony ... with this bill I would just be breaking company policy.

[J.R.@A&M]

HB 972 has been referred to Senate Criminal Justice Committee. D5 Freshman Senator Schwertner is a member (and my Senator) so I have acquired my political sight picture.

[terryg]

Members of Senate Committee on Criminal Justice:

Chair: John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
Vice-Chair: Joan Huffman (512) 463-0117

John Carona (512) 463-0116
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
Dan Patrick (512) 463-0107
José Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Charles Schwertner (512) 463-0105

Taken from: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senat ... 0/c590.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is now the time to call and write?

[Bladed]

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/camp ... ate/nXkkn/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CJD]

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/camp ... ate/nXkkn/

Hopefully this is true, and he'll give it the chance it deserves!