Posted on 09/14/2013 6:53:10 AM PDT by RKBA Democrat
I like Texas. Nice people, good state. But one thing that continues to puzzle me is why Texas handgun carry laws are so, well, pathetic. Here is a summary of the requirements for getting a concealed handgun permit: (IANAL so don't take this as legal advice):
Fee: $140 for 5 yrs. Training: In person, at least 4-6 hours, with shooting exam, by TX certified instructor. Fingerprints: required. Photo: required. Open carry: prohibited.
Let's contrast that with some "liberal" states:
Pennsylvania: Fee: $19 Training: Not required. Fingerprints: None required. Photo: Passport photo required in some places. Open carry: legal, except you'll be harassed in Philly.
Vermont: No permit required to carry openly or concealed.
Wisconsin: Fee: $40 Training: Required, but can be obtained for free. Fingerprints: None required. Photo: Not required. Open carry: legal.
So what's with Texas? Its laws for carry of firearms are becoming more comparable with those of Illinois. And it's not an idle question for those of us in VA, since the nonresident permit issued by VA is being used as an alternative to the TX resident permit.
This article gives some of the reasons.
http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2013/08/txcome-and-take-it-means-to-restore.html
Primarily it is because Texas has not fully recovered from the tyranny imposed on it by the reconstruction government.
After the carpetbaggers were thrown out, the Democrats found that they liked a certain ammount of tyranny, especially when applied to former slaves and other groups not in political favor.
“Wrong, the Texas GOP is pretty good.”
Then with respect, why do the gun laws suck? It’s no exaggeration to say that the gun laws in PA, VT, DE, ME, NH, and WI are significantly better.
I live in Illinois. Go cry on someone elses shoulder.
“Wrong, the Texas GOP is pretty good.”
“Then with respect, why do the gun laws suck? It’s no exaggeration to say that the gun laws in PA, VT, DE, ME, NH, and WI are significantly better.”
Because reform is hard and takes time. The laws put in place during reconstruction were found to be useful by Democrats later.
There are many large liberal urban centers in Texas. It is much easier to derail reforms than it is to pass them.
Texas gun laws were originally enacted to deprive blacks of the right to keep and bear arms. They were intentionally written in a way to allow the law to be enforced on a discretionary basis, which means that certain races would be arrested and prosecuted, while others would be allowed to go on their way, because they were "traveling".
Fast forward to the latter part of the 20th century: police in large metropolitan cities started to enforce the law against almost everyone. But, the state government was still controlled by Democrats, and attempts to enact a CHL law were rebuffed. Even when the House got enough votes for a bill, the Senate wouldn't even consider it because the governor said she would veto it.
Combining the disgust of gun owners with a wave of anti-Clinton sentiment, a long-shot Republican candidate defeated an incumbent Democrat governor in 1994, much to the surprise of many. You might have heard of him -- he went on to higher political office.
That same year, the Republicans took control of the Texas Senate for the first time in decades, if not since Reconstruction. But, the Texas House was still controlled by Democrats until 2002. So, the CHL law was written by a coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats (yes, there was still such a thing in Texas back then).
The authors made a lot of concessions in committee and on the floor to get the bill passed. Over the years, it has been improved, especially for renewals. But, one benefit of a photo ID for a CHL: it's accepted as a state-issued ID for everything.
It was a good article and thanks for posting, but it still begs the question: the gop has been in control in TX for the last 19-20 years. And the gun laws still suck. I realize that rome wasn’t built in a day, but 20 years?
“Because the Republicans, who completely dominate Texas state government, suck.”
So......Should we vote in Democrats for better gun laws? Really?
See my post #25 in this thread. It might surprise you to find out who controlled the Texas House when the original law was passed.
“And, don’t even get me started on the Texas property taxes @ 2.5%!”
Texas has no state income tax...that might count for something.
TX did defund Planned Parenthood. (don’t see how that is related to the CC laws)
I live 4 miles from the farm. It is perfectly legal to carry a hand gun in the glove box of my pickup.
It is perfectly legal to have a handgun on my hip on the way to and from hunting. Or in my case checking on livestock at the farm.
I can assure you that I will not be arrested for either.
At this point I do not feel threatened by my neighbors.
“I live in Illinois. Go cry on someone elses shoulder.”
And whose fault would that be? Last I checked U-Haul still serviced IL.
The point being that even in Illinois the gun laws are getting better. So what’s the excuse for Texas?
Dewhurst is still there, and up for re-election in 2014.
I aim to retire him back to his ranch.
Give Dewhurst the Boot in 2014 (((Ping List)))
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/johnny
‘Then with respect, why do the gun laws suck? It’s no exaggeration to say that the gun laws in PA, VT, DE, ME, NH, and WI are significantly better.’
Well, I guess...there are more important things in the consideration which keep people leaving other states and moving to Texas. LOL!
The gun laws in Texas are not at all ‘prohibitive’.
In the Governor's office and the State Senate, yes.
But, the House wasn't controlled by the Republicans until 2002.
Bump
No. You should stop electing Democrats and Republicans and start electing actual republicans.
I want constitutional carry in Texas. Having spent time in AZ and NM, Texas firearms laws, many left over from reconstruction, suck.
/johnny
/johnny
“It is perfectly legal to have a handgun on my hip on the way to and from hunting. Or in my case checking on livestock at the farm.”
That’s great, and I’m glad you’re able to do that. But what about the majority of Texans who presumably live in the cities?
By way of comparison, I live in an urban area of VA. And I open carry frequently. Sounds like that sort of thing would land me in the clink if I did so in say Dallas or Waco. Unless I could convince them I was on my way to go hunting. Maybe pigeons?
Same thing.
Principled people who actually understand the obligations of their oaths, and who are committed to fulfilling those obligations.
If any state should have Constitutional Carry, it should be Texas.
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