TX Gov: No gun-free zones
posted at 1:05 pm on May 2, 2007 by Bryan
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
I’m not a huge fan of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, but this…this, I like.
Texans who have concealed-weapon permits should be allowed to carry their guns anywhere in the state, including churches, courthouses and bars, Gov. Rick Perry said Monday.
Currently, state law prohibits concealed weapons in certain places, including private property where signs are posted disallowing the guns.
But after meetings with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt about the rampage at Virginia Tech, Mr. Perry took issue with the idea of barring weapons from campuses.
Also OnlineTell Us: Share your thoughts on Gov. Rick Perry’s comments regarding concealed weapons.
“It’s time for us to have that debate in Texas from the standpoint of whether or not a law-abiding citizen in the state of Texas can take their appropriately licensed and permitted weapon anywhere in this state, whether it’s on a college campus or wherever,” Mr. Perry said.
The governor said deranged individuals don’t pay any attention to signs that bar guns on certain premises and that citizens ought “to be able to protect themselves from that standpoint.”
Asked whether such a wide- open weapons policy would include bars and courthouses, Mr. Perry said: “A person ought to be able to carry their weapon with them anywhere in the 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.”
With only four weeks left in the legislative session and no proposed bill that would remove restrictions on where weapons can be taken, it’s unlikely state policy on concealed weapons will change soon.
But the governor signed a bill into law Monday that prohibits law enforcement from confiscating legally held weapons during emergency situations. The bill was prompted by reports of police collecting guns from Katrina victims in New Orleans.
Distilled to its essence, Perry is advocating a culture of self-defense.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
Moonbat hysterics in 5…4…3…
KelliD on May 2, 2007 at 1:11 PM
This should be a federal policy.
KSgop on May 2, 2007 at 1:12 PM
I’m not sure it’s a great idea to allowed guns in bars. The wild west wasn’t a liberal utopia by any means but they’d check their weapons at the door.
Otherwise, it’s a terrific idea. woot.
jdpaz on May 2, 2007 at 1:15 PM
the idea of concealed weapons among nearly every texan in nearly every place in texas doesn’t exactly make me feel any safer then the idea of a gun free zone encompassing the whole of texas
Defector01 on May 2, 2007 at 1:16 PM
Private citizens should still be able to say they don’t want guns on their property.
Number 2 on May 2, 2007 at 1:16 PM
To allowed: the past infinitive of “to allow”
jdpaz on May 2, 2007 at 1:16 PM
Texas knows how to react properly to gun grabbers.
Too bad they can’t do anything about illegal aliens.
csdeven on May 2, 2007 at 1:16 PM
Yay!
Check your guns at the door, then put them back in the holster. It’s dangerous- don’t just come in unarmed!
Typewriter King on May 2, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Guess who was the biggest GOP fundraiser in Texas? Not expected.
amerpundit on May 2, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Rudy Giuliani.
amerpundit on May 2, 2007 at 1:23 PM
In the “Wild West,” you weren’t required to go through a permit process to carry a weapon. I’m much less worried about licensed weapon carriers in bars (or anywhere else for that matter) than I am licensed drivers.
Blacklake on May 2, 2007 at 1:23 PM
Lack of reading comprehension much? The proposal is only for those with concealed weapons permits. These permits are tougher to obtain and, depending on the state, requires gun safety training courses.
It is a rare occurrence for an act of gun violence to be perpetrated by an individual with a concealed weapon permit.
Queasy on May 2, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Some of the comments against this idea indicate that people erroneously believe that everyone in Texas (or anywhere else that adopts such a policy) would all then be carrying guns.
The reality is it would only be the people who cared enough to go through the process. It costs money, it requires a class or classes. Federal background check, fingerprinting. All of these things keep out the casual and the untrained. Basically those likely to act in the manner that is feared.
People who mnake the committment to carry concealed, do not take lightly any aspect of that committment. That is why the liberals and gungrabbers don’t have “success” stories/statistics about CCW holders substantiating their fear mongering.
America1st on May 2, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Don’t panic. How many ‘high-noon’ stories do you hear of coming out of Texas? Many of the permit holders I know carry except in the obvious go to jail places….courthouses, schools, airports. When Auntie Em and Aunt Bee get into a shoot-out at the Yarn Barn we might have to start worrying. Courthouses and airports I can see the point of a ban.
Limerick on May 2, 2007 at 1:25 PM
Well, I’m imagining a whole lot of Texas criminals packing up right now and moving to places where every potential victim isn’t potentially packing heat!
I live in Texas, and I believe in the 2nd Amendment. I’m glad Perry has opted for more freedom instead of less. However, picture news footage you’ve seen of street scenes in the Middle East, where everyone–including the kids–is walking around with a gun strapped to their backs. I’m really not sure I like the idea of that much gun freedom… ;-)
aero on May 2, 2007 at 1:25 PM
That was a joke, by the way. I know that only responsible, trained gun owners are allowed to carry in Texas.
aero on May 2, 2007 at 1:27 PM
BEARS repeating. (Get it? haha) Isn’t it already? The right to keep and BEAR arms shall not be infringed or something like that? “gun free zones”. Bah. sounds like Utopia. Shangri La. Atlantis. Thetans. Loch Ness Monster.
CrimsonFisted on May 2, 2007 at 1:29 PM
Concealed weapons permits are not so easy to obtain. I seem to remember having to submit to an FBI background check, and having spent so much time learning to shoot. Not sure though, it was a while ago.
amerpundit on May 2, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Absolutely right, of course they should be allowed to carry the guns anywhere.
Any fools putting up a sign saying Gun-Free Zone ought to be sure to add the sub-title Psychopaths’ Playground or Here you can Murder with impunity and without fear of retaliation or simply Psychopathic Killers excepted to those signs, because that’s all they’re really establishing.
Aylios on May 2, 2007 at 1:49 PM
Wow…. a politician who seems to have finally read the constitution???
I’m… amazed…
Romeo13 on May 2, 2007 at 1:55 PM
Yippee-ki-yay
Drtuddle on May 2, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Whoa whoa whoa. There’s one thing for the government to say, “On our public-owned property, you’re no longer prohibited from carrying weapons. No gun-free zones on public property.” It’s another thing entirely to tell a private citizen that he MUST allow a patron, friend, relative, or what-not to carry a weapon on his privately owned premises.
Good for Texas if they repeal the CCW laws around public spaces. A pox on them if they force private property owners to go against their own personal wishes, no matter how ignorant those might be.
Hootie on May 2, 2007 at 1:59 PM
…”Psyche!” In really, really fine print.
Hootie on May 2, 2007 at 2:01 PM
Hootie,
As I read the proposal it does not prohibit private property owners from posting their own property, it just removes the ‘because we say so’ list from the law. If you don’t want people carrying in your home that’s your right – but you do need to put a sign so people will know what you want, and there are people who will try to take advantage of the situation.
jdpaz,
Note that the proposal simply allows you to carry your CCW in a bar – it does not allow you to carry while intoxicated. As a non-drinker I tend to be the designated driver and would probably also be the ‘designated carrier’ under such a scheme.
Courthouses – why not allow people who’ve shown they have a lower crime rate than the police carry in courthouses? You let the police carry, after all…
KCSteve on May 2, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Has anything else worked since the dawn of man?
Valiant on May 2, 2007 at 2:21 PM
Its interesting to see States like Texas and Tennessee act so defiant toward the media and the leftist mantra. It shows the media is losing some of its power to persuade, which I believe can be attributed to its open use by liberals to push policy, which dulls its effect over time. Its a positive step, I think if this would have happened a few years ago, they would have restricted rights further. Its gonna be very slow and painful, but we CAN roll back MSM influence.
Bad Candy on May 2, 2007 at 2:22 PM
These are just some of the do’s and don’t’s of concealed carry by a holder of a Concealed Handgun License. This is not a complete list.
A CHL holder in Texas may not carry in:
-a school; however, the school parking lot is allowed if the weapon is left concealed
-a Federal building
-an amusement park larger than 75 acres
-an establishment that derives 51% or more of its revenue from alcohol sales; a very specific sign must be posted
-a sporting arena or stadium
-a business that has a specifically worded sign posted with inch high letters prominantly displayed (this is the 30.06 law; named after section 30.06 of the code)
The CHL holders may carry in:
-malls
-public areas
-restaurants with less than 51% alcohol sales
-a vehicle
-businesses that don’t have the 30.06 sign posted
The permit requires a background check complete with fingerprints for the state and the FBI, 10 hours of training (mainly in the law, but with conflict resolution as well), range qualification with either a revolver or semi-auto larger than .32 caliber, and a $140 fee. The license is good for 4 years and training and shooting are required for a renewal.
DAT60A3 on May 2, 2007 at 2:31 PM
Just an observation; has anyone ever seen a gun control bumper sticker? I would think that this would be a “potential victim” advertisement. Sort of like telling the world that you pose no threat to any would-be attacker.
DAT60A3 on May 2, 2007 at 2:36 PM
I always told my spouse I thought we would fit right in if we moved to TX…my kind of place, for so many reasons. Here’s another.
JustTruth101 on May 2, 2007 at 2:39 PM
I see you pumping up those google stats Bryan, slick.
Theworldisnotenough on May 2, 2007 at 2:45 PM
If anybody is interested, the following link is to the Texas CHL laws.
DAT60A3 on May 2, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Damn, the link didn’t take. Try this one:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/ls-16.pdf
DAT60A3 on May 2, 2007 at 2:49 PM
more hot air from Perry, he DOES NOT have “executive order” powers and without a sponsored bill in the works it’s nothing but talk, a GOOD idea, but talk none the less.
Drtuddle on May 2, 2007 at 2:49 PM
ANYONE who fears armed law abiding citizens need only google the phrase “gun store robbed”. (The guy in this story was not going to be killed without a fight)
There’s a reason gun store robberies are rare. As crazy as these mass murderers are, they DO NOT attack anyone who may be armed. They look for sheeple.
csdeven on May 2, 2007 at 3:14 PM
Perry got my vote in the last election, while holding my nose.
I am breathing freely again!
RushBaby on May 2, 2007 at 3:19 PM
“more hot air from Perry, he DOES NOT have “executive order” powers and without a sponsored bill in the works it’s nothing but talk, a GOOD idea, but talk none the less. ”
Drtuddle on May 2, 2007 at 2:49 PM
“Bully Pulpit”
.
The Machine on May 2, 2007 at 3:28 PM
“Private citizens should still be able to say they don’t want guns on their property.”
I don’t think that the Gov. is talking about private residences. He’s talking about places of public accommodation. For example: A restaurant may be private property and a private business but they still have to obey laws concerning sanitation, handicap access, and the anti-discrimination laws, because they are places of PUBLIC accommodation.
If it is public policy to allow law abiding, licensed, people to be armed by carrying concealed weapons, then it ought to be public policy to allow the licensee to decide when and where to be armed as opposed to allowing others to arbitrarily create victim disarmament/mass slaughter zones.
Since the movement to allow widespread conceal carry began in 1987, THE ONLY PLACES WHERE MASS MURDERS HAVE OCCURED HAVE BEEN IN GUN FREE ZONES.
georgej on May 2, 2007 at 3:29 PM
One other point on Texas law – there is no minimum BAC level when carrying. It’s not .08 It’s anything.
You cannot drink alcohol and carry legally with your CCW.
daveintexas on May 2, 2007 at 4:00 PM
oops… CHL
daveintexas on May 2, 2007 at 4:01 PM
I believe in the right to arm bears.
Pistols for Pandas
- The Cat
MirCat on May 2, 2007 at 4:17 PM
“Bully Pulpit”
.
The Machine on May 2, 2007 at 3:28 PM
Yeah like Bush used against steroids and human smuggling. Works great. We’re fixing to have a steroid use’n, bubble headed baseball player take the all time Homerun lead. What 15 HR’s away. Take the record from a respectable honest man!
Drtuddle on May 2, 2007 at 4:34 PM
Don’t Mess with Texas baby.
I agree with one of the other posters. Perry doesn’t have the power to do squat. Nothing else is going to be introduced by the legislature this session. I think he’s mostly just grandstanding. But, is is refreshing to here him reiterate and enforce the constitution.
BTW, private businesses/residences can and do have the power to prohibit firearms on their property through the posting of the 30.06 sign.
Kai on May 2, 2007 at 5:08 PM
I do not think the “public accommodation” argument holds water. Your property is either yours, or it is not. You should be allowed to make the rules on your property. But if your rule is that I cannot carry my pistol in your place of business, then you can do without my business. If you will now allow me to proclaim the virtues of my favorite candidate for Governor on your premises, it is your right. If I do not like it, then I can take my business elswhere, etc.
Franklin Hill on May 2, 2007 at 5:11 PM
Oh… and if you do not allow smoking in your cafe, I can eat somewhere else. Not that I want to smoke, but my friend does occasionally and I am not about to dictate how he finds his pleasure, if it doesn’t hurt me or mine.
Franklin Hill on May 2, 2007 at 5:43 PM
I’m right there with you.
Anyway, as I keep telling people, Texas is the true promised land. You’ll not find a better place anywhere in the world.
Wolfman on May 2, 2007 at 5:56 PM
Not quite true. The law states that it is unlawful to carry while “intoxicated”, “intoxicated”, according to Texas CHL law, being defined under Section 49.01 of the Penal Code, which means either:
A) Having a BAC of 0.08 or higher OR
B) Not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body (in other words, failing the “sobriety test” since this is the same definition used for traffic stops).
Still, I wouldn’t drink and carry myself, nor would I recommend that anybody else do so. You wouldn’t drink a couple of beers before going to the range either, would you? Not to mention that should you, Heaven forbid, ever find yourself in a situation calling for the use of deadly force, would you really WANT to have your skills impaired even in the slightest? Milliseconds count, after all.
I’m just saying that it’s not illegal.
Misha I on May 2, 2007 at 6:17 PM
Oh, and as to Perry “forcing private businesses to allow carry on their property”, that is pure poppycock. It’s not what he’s saying. If that had been what he meant, he’d have to repeal a whole slew of laws, most notably Section 30.06 and I’m sure he would have made a note of that.
He’s simply suggesting that we remove the blanket bans which, as a matter of fact, is a great deal MORE observant of private property rights than current law, under which certain private businesses are REQUIRED by law to FORBID carry on their property.
Businesses would still be free to “opt out” and forbid concealed carry on their premises, as is their right. I and others like me would simply stop patronizing their establishments then.
Misha I on May 2, 2007 at 6:29 PM
Taking responsibility for your own defense, the Left must be going crazy. Texas seems, at least with it’s gun laws, my kind of place.
omegaram on May 2, 2007 at 7:06 PM
I have my permit and carry everywhere legal. Texas law allows you to carry in establishments that sell alcohol as long as they make at least 50% of their income from food. Much better rule than where I live now in Arizona where it is prohibited in any place that serves alcohol. Criminals are less likely to draw down on someone out here since they never know who is carrying. We also are an open carry state in Arizona. Bad guys beware.
usarmyretired on May 2, 2007 at 7:11 PM
Bryan,
If you have posted on this before I apologize for missing it but I am curious as to your position on students with ccw in college environments or even high school. Are you advocating more for the professors or staff to carry than the students?
I’m not anti-ccw but just curious where you think the line should be drawn if at all.
Bradky on May 2, 2007 at 7:52 PM
Actually 3-I think- people were killed -in a robbery at a “gun shop” in 1998-99 maybe.
It happened in Glenwood, Il.
The place later reopened-I was there the day it did-but was later forced to close because it was too close to a school.
NEVERMIND that the gun shop had been there loooong before the school.
*shakes head sadly at the memory*
annoyinglittletwerp on May 2, 2007 at 9:55 PM
Myth Number 1: The western American frontier was wrought with uncontrolled babarism and chaos.
Gun grabbers rely on Hollywood stereo-tying to make their point. Nigh noon, train robbery, etc. You would think that it was a constant shooting gallery if all your reference material was Clint Eastwood (no disrespect to Mr. Eastwood).
If you read Gunfighters, Highwaymen and Vigilantes, you will find wild wild west, wasn’t quite so wild after all. Moreover, the apalling violence of the wild west was nothing compared to a modern dis-armed city. The wild wild west would be labeled boring by nanosecond attention span citizens. Apparently, the bad guys new they faced sudden death if they stepped over the line. Darn near everyone carried a gun.
What you will come away with after reading this book is an armed society is a polite society.
Regarding bars; If you don’t like guns in bars, you shouldn’t go in.
AZ_Redneck on May 2, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Your argument reflects licensing does not produce responsible parties. So why license a firearm?
The licensing of a firearm places restrictions on a citizens inalienable right to bear arms. The firearm is only a tool that can be used as a weapon.
Regarding a tool. Matches are a tool. If I carried them to public place, would you see an arsonist? What about carrying a chain saw down the street? Does everyone see a mass murderer?
If you want to license weapons, should we propose going after knives, sharp sticks and rocks next?
AZ_Redneck on May 2, 2007 at 10:24 PM
I believe my personal safety is my responsiblity. If we create disarmament zones and remove the means for me to protect myself, who now carries the responsibility of my safety?
The state? The TSA?
AZ_Redneck on May 2, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Moreover … because the feds have imposed a gun free zone around K-12 schools, who is responsible for protecting the children?
Fact is, no one. From the federal level down to the little municipality, there are no duty clauses up the wazoo.
If my kids were in public school, I would be a tad concerned. Chechnya showed everyone no target is out of reach.
AZ_Redneck on May 2, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Personally, I like the European concept. Military personnel with automatic weapons in the terminals and at check points.
Baaah. What did Russia do in response to Chechnya? Besides, you could use any number of the US school shootings to support your argument. I’m not so much worried about an Islamic terrorist attacking our schools as I am fellow students. An American version of Chechnya would result in one flattened country somewhere in the world.
Hootie on May 3, 2007 at 9:26 AM
This spot on as our Texas governor is leading the way to a more rational policy. In fact many concealed gun pemit holders already take the weapons into forbiden areas where there are no detection people or devices. I know I do (if the gun is properly concealed, no one knows you have one).
docdave on May 3, 2007 at 9:36 AM
If individuals with ligit CCP’s were allowed to take their guns on aircraft we wouldn’t need the Dept. of Homeland Security.
duff65 on May 3, 2007 at 4:58 PM
Comment pages: