Free Republic

Thanks for great advice. I live north of Dallas but based on this exchange, I’m headed for the next gun show to procure a throwaway BFCS (Big Friggin Criminal Shooter). Right now, my car is protected with a nickel plated SW revolver, .357 magnum. I agree it’s probably too good to sit in a car and deteriorate.

BTW, did you see Renteria is an illegal alien? Here’s the Kaufman story:

http://www.kaufmanherald.com/articles/2008/03/07/news/news02.txt

The operative paragraph says, “...Renteria told an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent via a phone interview that he is in the United States illegally, said Dallas ICE agent Roy Hernandez. “We confirmed he’s here illegally,” Hernandez said. Once Kaufman County is done with the charges against Renteria, he will be released to ICE who will begin deportation, Hernandez said....”

Thanks Spktyr. I placed a pistol back into my car today, strictly for self defense. We have many illegal aliens in this area who are becoming very testy due to the shortage of work. However, in my own research, I found that Harris County (Houston, TX) officers have been instructed to ignore the new law and if they discover a handgun, regardless of the “traveling” clarification. This article:

http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2005/09/texas-new-carry-law-what-does-it-mean.html

best captured what I found on the complexity of Texas’ new law. Two principles seem to apply. First, you can beat the rap but not the ride. Secondly, you’ll prevent a shitload of aggravation by keeping your license up to date (which I obviously have not). My daughter plans to remedy the latter problem for both of us this summer. Here’s the salient paragraph from that article:

...So the Legislature passed HB 823 creating a “presumption” that the driver is “traveling” unless one of five things is true: (a) the weapon is in plain view, (b) the defendant is a convicted felon, (c) it’s a public, not a personal vehicle, (d) the defendant committed a Class B misdemeanor or worse, or (e) the defendant is a gang-banger. (Conflict alert: I testified at the hearings in both chambers in favor of the bill on behalf of ACLU of Texas.)...

Predictably, it was Houston (Harris County) that chose to defy the new interpretation and continued to run toters in. It’s disappointing that law enforcement and the judiciary continue to disobey the law. Even with a license, we’re at risk for the ride. thx. Tom

My license lapsed years ago but my daughter and I plan to be licensed this summer. I stopped carrying a pistol in my car years ago because I thought it a violation to carry across city or county lines. Are you sure we can carry in a car without a license? thx.