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.
But 60% of all cars? No.
nola ping
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?
CHL is to carry on your person, not the same as just having one handy in the car that has to stay there until you get to your destination.
And New Mexico.
Added 2 to the stable today!
God bless the free enterprise system!
: "Be polite and courteous, but have a plan to KILL everybody you meet."
LOL!
Because the CCW with reciprocity allows Texans to retain their rights while travelling in other states. Also, the laws does not apply to shoulder weapons because NO STATE laws apply to shoulder weapons at all. Concealed or open carry for rifles and shotguns is allowed in the state.
I took an oath to defend and protect the Constitution and laws of the United States
Then maybe this idiot should re-read the Second Amendment : SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!
Dude, I'm stealing that for my tagline :)
The quote is from Robert Heinlein.
Are you referring to the law that says you can travel with a gun in your car? I never trusted that law, with the likes of Rosenthal around.
My wife and I each have a concealed carry permit and never travel unarmed.
I think Freeper 'Shadowstrike' already has that tag line.
Quanell X - Now Mr. Law and Order?
That's just what all cities need - an ex druggie Muslim keeping watch over the people.
This is the same punk who crashed the Republican State Convention a few years ago by rolling up in his Hummer, leading about a dozen other punks to march in front of the convention center WITH THEIR AK-47's!
The NORMAL PEOPLE were forced into a lock-down while 'Imam' Quanell X roughed up an elderly vet out front, and he wasn't even arrested for knocking the guy on his fanny!
HPD brass is TERRIFIED of that punk.
That's ok.... The sheriff deputy I talked to said he'd LOVE a piece of Quanell.
Harwin feeds jihad?
Yes, I heard it on the local news. Many ME types have stores there, and they funnel their profits to terrorist organizations.
I'd shop in the Asian shops but not ME owned shops.
BTW, I just looked at your homepage and I'm so blown away! You said you're studying to be a forensic chemist, with a minor in Criminal Justice. You are majoring in my favorite topics! I'm an old grandmother now and it's way too late for me to follow my dream, but you stay with it. What an incredible major!
And stick with FR. You'll be a certified right winger in no time, LOL!
BTW, "Bigun" is a great FReeper and he works at Sam Houston. If you ever need anything up there I'll vouch for him. He's a great guy and a long time member of FR.
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