Posted on 09/22/2006 1:06:05 PM PDT by weegee
A radio commercial for a local gun shop advises Houstonians to arm themselves against "Katricians," adding to the growing tension between Houstonians and the Katrina evacuees who have been blamed for a rising crime rate.
Gun shop owner and radio talk-show host Jim Pruett said Thursday he started running the ad a few weeks ago after hearing a local television interview with a Katrina evacuee living in Houston who implied he would have to turn to crime if his government assistance ran out.
"There are many evacuees here who are working," said Pruett, who has owned Jim Pruett's Guns & Ammo in northwest Houston for five years. "They have become Houstonians now. That is fantastic. That is what you are supposed to do. You are not supposed to threaten the place you are working in."
Katrina evacuees are suspects or victims in 59 of Houston's 262 homicides between Jan. 1 and Aug. 26.
Residents in upper middle-class west Houston have blamed evacuees for violent crime rates that have increased almost 14 percent in one district and homicides that have nearly doubled in another.
Earlier this month, the FBI reported that violent crime in Houston jumped 2.4 percent last year, slightly above the national figure of 2.3 percent.
Pruett's radio ad says, "When the 'Katricians' themselves are quoted as saying the crime rate is gonna go up if they don't get more free rent, then it's time to get your concealed-handgun license."
Department of Public Safety statistics show that from January to Sept. 1, the number of concealed-carry permits issued for handguns have risen almost 25 percent in Harris County, which includes Houston. Texas has no other gun registration laws.
Black activists held a community meeting Thursday evening where they blasted negative stereotypes of evacuees created by Pruett's ad, as well as media reports that they believe portray all evacuees as criminals. They also took issue with comments earlier this month by gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman, who attributed a spike in Houston's crime rate to the "crackheads and thugs" who evacuated New Orleans.
But community activist Quanell X said Houstonians and evacuees "can't protect the criminal element around us. Let's talk about hitting the streets and dealing with the criminal problem."
Roshondra Lowe, 29, an evacuee from New Orleans who was among about 30 people attending the meeting, said she doesn't want Houstonians to prejudge displaced residents like herself. Holding printouts of Houston's crime rate from the last few years, Lowe said the statistics showed the city had a problem with crime before evacuees arrived.
"It's a bunch of nonsense. I'm not going to feed into that. It's just ignorance," Lowe said of ads like Pruett's and other negative comments made about evacuees.
A spokesman for Mayor Bill White said that crime overall is down in Houston but there are some areas that were hot spots before the hurricane and continue to be.
"Mr. Pruett has made his career as a shock jock and is using this tactic to sell guns," spokesman Frank Michel said. "The vast majority of evacuees who came here are hard working, law abiding citizens."
Pruett, 62, said while crime in Houston was an issue before Katrina evacuees came to the city, they have contributed to the problem.
"It's a serious crime epidemic, no matter what the mayor says," said Pruett, whose store Web site offers the following advice: "Be polite and courteous, but have a plan to KILL everybody you meet."
As many as 120,000 evacuees remain in Houston since the city welcomed at least 250,000 after Katrina swamped New Orleans last year.
Pruett said gun sales as his store are up 50 percent from last year but he couldn't be certain it was due to concern over evacuees.
Classes his store offers so people can get a concealed handgun license are always full. Pruett said he doesn't think he is profiting from fear in the community about evacuees and crime.
"I'm profiting from people who want to protect themselves. We provide a great service and one that may save people's lives," said Pruett, who added that he has also sold guns to evacuees.
Houston PING
I want to hear if Chuck Rosenthal is still prosecuting people who legally have a gun in their car.
An unarmed Houstonian? There's a strange thought.
If I were to get a CCL I'd get it from Jim Pruett, for no other reason than I grew up with KLOL.
"When the 'Katricians' themselves are quoted as saying the crime rate is gonna go up if they don't get more free rent, then it's time to get your concealed-handgun license."
plus ... Buy Lots Of Ammo Today.
Rosenthal's response to my e-mail (verbatim):"Well, as it so happens I am in favor of gun ownership. I took an oath to defend and protect the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this state, and I intend to do exactly that. There are a number of instances where the law permits the possession of handguns in cars we recognize those laws, but I believe that they should be sorted out in court, and not on the streets.
Consider this scenario. Police officers stop a car for a traffic violation. While getting ID from the driver, he sees the butt of a handgun protruding from under the driver's seat. Office asks the driver where he is going. Driver answers that he is going to the liquor store 2 miles from his house. Driver meets the other requisites for "traveling". On the way back from the adult beverage store, driver sees someone who he thinks "disrespected" him some time back and shoots his acquaintance. Victim survives, finds out the police knew about the gun, the settled law is that he was not traveling; officer and his municipality are sued by the victim. Point is that not everyone is as judicious about gun ownership as you and your friends probably are.
If the legislature had really meant to allow anyone who wanted to carry a handgun (note, the law does not apply to shoulder weapons) in their car, why do you suppose they did not repeal the laws with respect concealed carry permits? Presumptions are simply that. For instance all persons charged with crimes are presumed to be innocent, but that doesn't mean that they are in fact innocent.
By the way, I'm up for re-election in '08."
Yeah that two year chart is the one!
IMHO, this silly concealment stuff should be done away with in favor of open carry like Arizona has.
Also from today's Comical:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4206594.html
Sept. 22, 2006, 7:45AM Woman found shot dead in S. Braeswood complexCopyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
A woman was shot several times and found dead at the Braes Court Apartments Thursday around 10:20 p.m near Building 14.
Bystanders told police that the victim, described as a black female, was a Katrina evacuee and a frequent visitor to the complex, in the 8800 block of South Braeswood.
I've seen NO indication that crime is going down. Murder rates are up.
An officer was gunned down yesterday. First death in the line of duty in 2 years. Lots of headlines.
I agree it is a tragedy. But there are hundreds of Houstonians who've died in the line of THEIR duties in the same time frame and they DO NOT sign up to put their lives on the line. Especially to get groceries, wash their car, go to a nightclub, etc. ALL have been the victims of violent crime (deadly carjackings and worse).
Maybe we can get open carry in Houston.
"....An unarmed Houstonian? There's a strange thought...."
Yeah, really...even my daughter is armed...
Probably true, but as our experience in Iraq shows, a very small minority can wreak havoc. Telling me that most folks aren't that way is just happy-talk meant to change the subject instead of addressing the situation.
I talked to a cop friend of mine, he told me about 60% of the cars in Houston have guns in them.
How is Sturm, Ruger doing these days?
The evacuees who I personally knew before Katrina have long returned to New Orleans.
There are evacuees here in Houston still complaining they can't find work.
So much for clear evidence of guilt before charging.
What an idiot --- and another reason I avoid Houston whenever possible.
And with that attitude and lack of awareness about the very real issues we face, we're glad you do.
For your consideration.
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