DPS: Shots fired at Texas Capitol

Houston Chronicle ^ | Jan. 21, 2010 | R.G. RATCLIFFE

[stevie_d_64]

AUSTIN

[Velveeta]

Sheriff’s spokesman Roger Wade said a man identified as Fausto Cardenas is in custody. There were no reports of injuries, Texas Department of Public Safety officials said.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries/2010/01/21/authorities_reporting_shots_fi.html

[SkyDancer]

Weren’t there signs up stating no guns allowed? I mean if there weren’t any then maybe they should put some up ... that would have prevented that shooting ... </sarc

[stevie_d_64]

I carry there when the they have been in session...Nobody seemed to have a problem with it...

[SkyDancer]

I was just being fatuous ... whenever there’s a shooting anywhere the answer has been to put up signs saying no guns allowed thinking that’d fix the problem ....

[chuck_the_tv_out]

“Nobody seemed to have a problem with it”

They must have read the constitution just a little bit

[justlurking]

Texas law prevents state and local government agencies from prohibiting guns on public property, except in a limited set of circumstances. I don’t believe the Capitol is one of the exceptions.

[Moe Tzadik]

Shots fired at Texas Capitol

Was the capitol hit?

[basil]

As far back as I can remember, it has been legal to carry in the Texas State Capitol. Until fairly recently, you could carry in both chambers while they were in session. Now, you have to check your guns at the door, which annoys me greatly. The shooter was not even inside the Capitol--he was on the South steps.

What this will probably do, of course, is take away our rights to carry in the Capitol at all. I'm really po'd right now.

[cweese]

"Fausto Cardenas"

Probably another illegal showing his gratitude.

[green iguana]

Texas law prevents state and local government agencies from prohibiting guns on public property

For the public, yes. For the employees it's a different story. They can be banned from being able to protect themselves from a crazy public person.

[wolfcreek]

Last time we went to the Capitol, there were no security checkpoints or very many security personel. Pretty much free reign.

Course it was the weekend.

[stevie_d_64]

Proly should take a look for some pock marks next time I’m up there...

[stevie_d_64]

No prob...

[af_vet_rr]

Last time we went to the Capitol, there were no security checkpoints or very many security personel. Pretty much free reign.

I'm reposting this from the Texas board, but Dan Patrick wasted no time, he wants metal detectors and screeners at the entrances to the state capital, and he doesn’t want anybody being able to carry a firearm around state capital grounds.

Typical liberal. Something happens, everybody follows the proper procedures, nobody is hurt and the first response is to call for more and more security.

Tomorrow I’m expecting Patrick to come out and say that we have to go through those full-body scanners and remove our shoes, and submit our names to a "no-visit" checklist.

I give Patrick credit, he was trying to instill fear into people with his crap about how somebody could be seriously harmed and nobody should have guns around the area.

[stevie_d_64]

You know, one time I went to visit my city counselman in his office...I jumped thru the hoops they have, got badged differently than everyone else, had to have my sidearm check in and put in a safe on the wall...

And I waited, and never got in to visit him...Had a half-assed consultation from one of his staffers after about 45 minutes of waiting, which took all of about 10 seconds...

I believe they were told I was armed and they chose not to visit me...He now knows I will not come in on my own time to visit him in his office ever again...I run into him outside that gun free zone as often as I can...And you know what...Nothing really happens...Not in regards to a firearm sudennly jumping out on its own and laying waste to the immediate area...I know, it is shocking...

So if this is what we have in store for us after this BS yesterday...Then they are shooting themselves in the foot )literally)...

[stevie_d_64]

BTW, I believe we have a great reason to visit Austin in April to support the Second Amendment March...

[stevie_d_64]

Looks like the governor stepped in and commented on the shooting incident the other day...

Basically...No change...

Take it for what it’s worth...

Lessee if “Dan the man levitan” takes a hint...

[deport]

It will be happening soon if the plans that were already working are implemented. If not, look for something to happen when the legislature meets next session.

From the Houston Chronicle which would sorta rebuff Perry's stance. Perry rebuffs call for Capitol metal detectors

Two days before the shooting, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst recommended a review of Capitol security in a letter to House Speaker Joe Straus.

The two have discussed Capitol security for months, Dewhurst spokesman Mike Wintemute said, and Dewhurst's letter was meant to formalize their plan for a joint House-Senate working group to review it.

“Certainly, the lieutenant governor has long believed that Capitol security is a top priority from the standpoint of making a safe place to work and visit for staff — but also for visitors because it's a potential target,” Wintemute said.

The effort, Dewhurst said in the letter, should ensure better security balanced “with our need to maintain public access to the legislative process.”

Dewhurst sent a copy of the letter to the chamber's 31 senators after the shooting with an update of the incident.

A review of Capitol security by the U.S. Secret Service had already produced recommendations and an action plan, said Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, chairman of the House Administration Committee.

“We were already in the process and ordered equipment,” Geren said Friday, adding that the planned enhancements “didn't have a damn thing to do with that fool yesterday.”

He said he could not release the plan's details but acknowledged that metal detectors for Capitol access are part of it.

end snips

[af_vet_rr]

Lessee if “Dan the man levitan” takes a hint...

He didn't, he was on TV tonight playing up the hysteria of "what if he opened fire inside instead of outside".

He had the nerve to say "I have an obligation to protect the citizens of Texans when they come to visit me".

He's turning into the anti-gun lobby's best friend in Texas.