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.
Their lack of a state income tax is muy bueno...”
We have some interesting tax laws. Everyone who owns a home has a homestead exemption plus another one when you reach 65. Taxes can’t be raised after 65 so the value of your property is increased so we do end up paying more property/school taxes after 65. The value of my house increased $15,000 last year according to the appraisal district. So bogus!
I do, but if it drops fully-assembled, it’d better be a BIG bin and slot.
“Every state including IL has some provision for CC at this point. MD, HI, CA, NJ and some other states make it impossible or close to it to obtain a permit, but it’s now nationwide.”
Except for the District of Columbia:
http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2013/09/justice-deniedsecond-amendment-case.html
My state’s easier - all you have to do is turn 16.
True dat, but there's no state income tax in Texas like there is in California.
Have you priced fake nails lately? Sheesh!
Gun laws have been getting better here, too. Just this year, Rick Perry signed four pro gun bills into law.
House Spkr Joe Straus and the Texas State Rifle Assoc have something to do with not reforming Texas gun laws.
Straus is worse than Dewhurst on the issue and meaningful gun reform won’t come out of the Lege while he’s in charge of the House. HB700 had 25 sponsors and co-sponsors this session. Never saw the light of day.
TSRA is also partly to blame. On key reform issues before the Lege, like campus carry and open carry, the TSRA won’t take a pro position. Their official position is that they don’t oppose either. Yes, but. If they made them litmus tests on endorsement, many more pols would come around.
Many pols in Texas live and breathe on the endorsement of the TSRA. They could single-handedly push open and campus carry past Dewhurst and Straus. But, they won’t.
We have a good chance of getting rid of Dewhurst this time around. Straus, because he gets a good chunk of his support from Democrats (and rewards them with Committee Chairs) will be a harder nut to crack. In the meantime, the TSRA needs to be lobbied by its members to take a more pro-active role in pushing real reform.
“Except for the District of Columbia”
Not a state. Unless, of course, you’re adding it to the 57 states like dear leader. :-)
“TSRA is also partly to blame. On key reform issues before the Lege, like campus carry and open carry, the TSRA won’t take a pro position.”
We ran into the same thing in VA. Hence the birth of Northern Virginia Citizen’s Defense League. Which later became Virginia Citizen’s Defense League.
The more involved you get in gun politics, the less impressed you become with the NRA and it’s affiliates.
“Just this year, Rick Perry signed four pro gun bills into law.”
That would be considered a poor year in VA unless the legislation had wide-ranging, positive effects. And given that your legislature meets every other year, I’m sorry to hear that you’re not seeing more success.
Hey, an improvement is an improvement, and the trend across the country (including in Texas) is in the direction of re-asserting and securing Americans' gun rights.
Every state is a unique playing field. Some are tougher than others.
Dont confuse “liberal” with “Democrat.”
Lots of Dem voters in PA. Not a lot of liberals. Especially on firearms.
Here are some Texas Patriots working hard to make Texas gun laws better.
One of them is still in jail.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/3066838/posts
“Except for the District of Columbia”
Not a state. Unless, of course, you’re adding it to the 57 states like dear leader. :-)
True, but it is part of the nation.
I suppose we might make it into a penal colony where the Constitution doesn’t apply....
“I suppose we might make it into a penal colony where the Constitution doesn’t apply....”
The kakistocrats already beat you to the punch. The Constitution already doesn’t apply, and “penal colony” would be an upgrade for SE DC.
To those of you who wonder who is doing something to make the situation better, here are some people puting it on the line for liberty:
Three Men ‘Illegally’ Arrested for Openly Carrying ‘Black Powder’ Pistols in Texas
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3066928/posts
The picture on the thread is quite good.
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