Posted on 08/21/2002 2:07:03 PM PDT by basil
The Texas legislature passed the Right-To-Carry Law in 1995. Seven years later, Texas citizens, legally licensed to carry concealed handguns, are being prevented from doing so.
You are cordially invited to join former Texas Senator Jerry Patterson, candidate for State Land Commissioner and author of the Texas Right-To-Carry Law; Suzanna Hupp, State Representative District 54, Dan West, President of the Texas Concealed Handgun Instructors Association, and Texas residents as more is revealed about this double standard during a regional panel discussion. This forum is open to the public, and takes place Aug 29, 2002, from 7pm to 9pm at the New Braunfels Civic Center, 389 S. Seguin St., New Braunfels, TX.
You may already be aware that the Texas Penal Code strictly defines who may be licensed to carry concealed handguns, where such weapons may be carried, and what processes must be followed to ban the carrying of concealed weapons onto certain premises. What you may not know is that many Texas municipalities and counties either ban concealed weapons, or fail to meet the very specific notification provisions of the statute.
The Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA) recently noted, "When the Texas Legislature originally passed the state's 'Right to carry' Law in 1995, it repeatedly rejected amendmentss to the bill which would have given state agencies and local governments authority to ban or seriously restrict lawful carrying by license holders in the state and local government buildings.
Yet, according to the NRA, Texas cities and counties "exploit a loophole to circumvent the Legislature and ban concealed handgun licensees from their premises..." These infractions are occurring in Arlington, Corpus Christi, Dallas, San Antonio, Baytown, Euless, Liberty, Plano, Richardson, San Angelo, Tyler, Wichita Falls, New Braunfels, Travis County, Harris County, and many other cities and counties across the state.
Attend the upcoming regional panel discussion and learn more about what legally licensed citizens are saying and what some lawmakers plan to do. Call Mark. A Stephens at 512-395-8302 foro more information.
I visited the highlighted towns in March. I did a search prior to and found that the entire state of Texas has a reciprocity agreement with the state of Florida so I can legally carry there...which of course, I did. Imagine my surprise when I tried to park and stroll around San Antonio and found these idiotic little signs everywhere stating that the premises banned concealed weapons...even those with a permit. Good thing I never read little warning signs.
But my wife loved New Braunfels and San Antonio so much we are considering moving there when she retires in 3 or 4 years. Teachers in Texas make exactly what teachers in Florida do, so that'd be good for me. Hope this little problem gets straightened out before then. I personally liked Austin and Fort Worth much more. Does anybody know if the counties listed cover those areas?
I hope I made that clear--it's sort of hard to explain in a nutshell.
If those signs were "little" then you were right to ignore them, because they're illegal. Under Texas law, a "no handguns" sign must have contrasting type 1" high, with the following message in both English and Spanish:
Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by holder of license to carry a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (concealed handgun law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun.The smallest possible 30.06 sign covers roughly a square yard of wall. The other kind of sign to watch for is a 51% sign, which indicates a restaurant that derives 51% or more of its income from alcohol sales—i.e., a bar. Such signs have to say "51%" in red letters 5" high, and have to contain further text about the penalties. So the upshot is that you can safely ignore any sign that's possible to ignore. [IANAL]
I always just assumed Texas' CCW laws were reasonable, until I looked into Washington's laws prior to moving there next month. In Washington, a CCW permit doesn't require any training, and you can carry virtually anywhere—none of this sign nonsense. You can even carry into a school as long as you're just picking up or dropping off a student.
It would interesting to investigate Texas Laws on liability because there is a liability standard in some areas which states if you have jumped through the requisite hoops necessary to acquire a CCW and are then prevented from exercising your right to self defense the person or Institution which has restrained you automatically assumes liability for any injury you sustain as a result of their restraint.
If you are in an activist mood stroll up to the manager in one of these posted areas and ask them what provision they have taken to protect you should some violent incident occur similar to Lubby's Restaurant. Ask them if their insurance carrier is prepared to assume the costs of the law suits sure to follow because of their reckless posting standard prohibiting legal armed defense on their property.
Just a thought for what it is worth.
Best regards,
I come from west Texas, Lubbock to be exact. I can tell you that the difference between east and west Texas is about as clear as night and day. In my neck of Texas CCW is a fact of life, regardless of local ordinances. You carry a gun when & where you want. Now, you wouldn't carry it to church, that's stupid, and you wouldn't carry it into a bar, that's just asking to get a ticket to Huntsville. But, you would carry it anytime and any place that YOU felt it was necessary.
It's also legal in Lubbock to carry a hand gun in plain sight, as in strapped on your hip. That law never changed, as far as I know.
Guns and west Texas grew up together, they compliment one-and-other. The guns shoot food, they shoot varments, they protect your home & family. They are a revered member of the household, and they ride in your truck with you. Everybody knows how to use them.
Point being...don't mess with west Texas!
Yeah, I was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington from 1980-84 and I had a CCW then. Cost me I think about $10 for a three year permit and I could even carry on POST at that time. When I moved up to working for the General, he made it mandatory for his infantry officers to be armed in the Division HQ bldg. This was around the time Gen Dozier was kidnapped by terrorists and everybody was anticipating a terrorist attack. We had to wait 21 years, but it happened. Do you think they'll still allow the officers to go armed...loaded too? Naaaaaaah, better to let some Jihad Johnny take out a bunch of troops with a suicide bomb attack than to let trained professionals carry loaded GUNS!!! Somebody might get hurt.
Just remember what the cops always say: GIVE THE CRIMINAL WHAT HE WANTS...NOTHING IS WORTH LOSING YOUR LIFE OVER....(NWO HURLING BARF ALERT)
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