GONZALES TELLS FEDS "COME AND TAKE IT"

[CWOOD]

My wife came across this recently in looking into Gonzales related matters after a lovely visit to that fine town yesterday.

The Gonzales Cannon is one of the newspapers there.

As you may recall from your Texas history, when the Texians were getting a bit rowdy back in 1835, the Mexican army sent a few troops to Gonzales to retrieve a small cannon which had been provided at the towns request to defend against marauding Comanches. As usual, an oppressive government tries to disarm the citizens. The Gonzales residents got word of the upcoming demand and prepared for it by coming up with the wonderful phrase "Come and Take It". The first troops chose discretion over valor and went back to HQ in San Antonio. Later a larger force came for the cannon, and they also left empty handed.

In that spirit, back in February the Gonzales city council unanimously approved the following resolution...

"In recent months the U.S. has experienced tragic incidents where suspects with firearms inflicted death and injury upon both children and adults," City Manager Allen Barnes said in his briefing for the Council. "The visceral reaction to these incidents has been to call for limits upon the individual right to keep and bear specific arms which is guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Congress is currently considering legislation that would not only restrict the right of one to own particular weapons, but may require the surrender or seizure of weapons from individuals.
"Should the U.S. approve these gun control measures the City of Gonzales will find itself in a situation very similar to the situation it was in during the fall of 1835," Barnes added. "While the political circumstances are somewhat different, the subject matter is very similar. And we all know the immortal 'Come and Take It' was our response then."

"Councilman Tommy Schurig motioned for approval and read the resolution. It was approved unanimously, eliciting a round of applause from the audience."

I am proud to say that Councilman Schurig is my first cousin.

The resolution notes that "All federal acts, laws, executive orders, agency orders, and rules or regulations of all kinds with purpose, intent or effect of confiscating any firearm, banning any firearm, limiting the size of a magazine for any firearm, imposing any limit on the ammunition that may be purchased for any firearm, taxing any firearm or ammunition ... or requiring the registration of any firearm...shall be further considered null and void and of no effect in this City."
The resolution directs city employees and agencies to refuse any requests or directives from federal agencies acting in unconstitutional fashion, and calls on other municipalities and jurisdictions to pass similar measures.


Here is a link to the entire article in the Gonzales Cannon

http://www.gonzalescannon.com/node/12996" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I find it interesting that we have heard nothing of it before.

I surely love Texas and Texans...or at least most of them.

[DEB]

Stories such as this makes my heart even gladder that I am a Texan...Yes, I do speak like that.

[texanjoker]

I saw their signs going through there late week.

[xb12s]

Good for Gonzales.

My wife wants to get the new special edition Texas license plates with the Gonzales cannon on it.

[chuck j]

I like this topic ! Wish more folks would stand up for their rights before they lose them . Just as a matter of curiosity wasn't the cannon eventually buried in a creek bed to keep it out of Mexican hands ? That's the way I remember the story , many have searched for it and if it could be found would be a 'national' Texas treasure !
Thought this would be an appropriate place to post Travis's letter from the Alamo ,



All Americans In The World --
February 24, 1836



Fellow citizens & compatriots --
I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country --

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves --

Travis

[Cedar Park Dad]

Sorry, but I live near a large city that has declared itself a "sanctuary city" being nuclear free, and constantly tries to outdo Berkeley on the crazy meter. To be fair, as such I can't support municipalities attempting to make such statements either. Municipalities cannot unilaterally void actions by the Federal Government. That is the job of the federal branches of government to fix and check each others' power.

[RustES]

Sorry, but I live near a large city that has declared itself a "sanctuary city" being nuclear free, and constantly tries to outdo Berkeley on the crazy meter. To be fair, as such I can't support municipalities attempting to make such statements either. Municipalities cannot unilaterally void actions by the Federal Government. That is the job of the federal branches of government to fix and check each others' power.

Yea but they suck at thier job, so if you want something done right....well....leave it to a Texan

[krieghoff]

[quote="chuck j"]I like this topic ! Wish more folks would stand up for their rights before they lose them . Just as a matter of curiosity wasn't the cannon eventually buried in a creek bed to keep it out of Mexican hands ? That's the way I remember the story , many have searched for it and if it could be found would be a 'national' Texas treasure !


There is a Historical Marker at the site. It once was a peach orchard. Today it is downtown Gonzales. It's across the street (south side) from Marrou & company. Worth reading if you are there. Also, the old jail has a lot of historical info in it.

[Cedar Park Dad]

Sorry, but I live near a large city that has declared itself a "sanctuary city" being nuclear free, and constantly tries to outdo Berkeley on the crazy meter. To be fair, as such I can't support municipalities attempting to make such statements either. Municipalities cannot unilaterally void actions by the Federal Government. That is the job of the federal branches of government to fix and check each others' power.

Yea but they suck at thier job, so if you want something done right....well....leave it to a Texan

You got me there. I can't argue with that.

[dinolord]

Sorry, but I live near a large city that has declared itself a "sanctuary city" being nuclear free, and constantly tries to outdo Berkeley on the crazy meter. To be fair, as such I can't support municipalities attempting to make such statements either. Municipalities cannot unilaterally void actions by the Federal Government. That is the job of the federal branches of government to fix and check each others' power.

Yea but they suck at thier job, so if you want something done right....well....leave it to a Texan

You got me there. I can't argue with that.

one town at a time telling the feds to get the hell out...eventually they will 'get it'.

[chuck j]

Sounds interesting , If I get down that way I'll check in out ! I do like Texas history , Thanks !

[gthaustex]

Nice. I like it.

[krieghoff]

Sounds interesting , If I get down that way I'll check in out ! I do like Texas history , Thanks !

If you like history, plan on spending a bit of time in jail while you are there!! The old one that is!! It is full of interesting stuff from the Gonzales area. The jail and historical marker for the cannon are just blocks apart. It opens your eyes to a group of people quite unlike some we have today. A bunch of brave folks!!

[bizarrenormality]

requiring the registration of any firearm

Does that apply to NFA registration?