[FreedomCalls]

I didn't think Perry would support this.

[Smokin' Joe]

“Let me cover it right here," Perry said. “I think a person ought to be able to carry their weapons with them anywhere in this state if they are licensed and they have gone through the training. The idea that you’re going to exempt them from a particular place is non-sense to me."

It sounds like he 'gets it'. Good!

Now we need 48 or 49 more just like that (on this issue, anyway).

[Lazamataz]

I love this man. He gets it.

[billybudd]

Some points added to Perry’s column. It’s funny how the Democrat’s arguing from a property rights standpoint. I love Texas.

[BigCinBigD]

As One of those 260,000 Texans. I heartily applaud the Governor. Any business that posts a 30.06 (no hand gun) sign will not get my money.

[dayglored]

I think across the board public concealed carry is a fine idea and is constitutionally supported.

The only limitation I would accept on concealed carry would be on private (NOT public) property. I think there may be instances where the property owner should have a right to choose whether visitors:

• carry concealed as in public
• carry in the open (not concealed)
• check their firearms at the door

If the visitor doesn't like the property owner's restrictions, they have the right not to enter the property. If my favorite bar puts up a "check your piece at the door" sign, and I don't like it, I can take my business elsewhere.

I think Perry was overstating it for effect; "anywhere" is a little too broad.

[Allegra]

Ping!

[Spktyr]

A couple of points:

Right now, in Texas, there are a number of places in which you cannot legally carry a concealed weapon, whether the property owner wishes to allow you to or not. Here is the entire list, from Title 10 Chpt. 46 § 46.03, comments in brackets are mine:

* A place of business that derives 51% or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption [a bar, or many restaurants with bars - bar and grilles, for example]
* On premises of a correctional facility [prisons, jails - and yes, this includes walking across the lawn of the county jail while going between the public parking lot and the range next door to the jail.]
* On the physical premises of a school, an educational institution, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or an educational institution, whether the school or educational institution is public or private, [Even if the private school gave teachers permission to carry concealed, they can’t under this section. Some private schools would really like this to go away.]
* On the premises where a high school, collegiate or professional sporting event of interscholastic event is taking place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used in the event
* On the premises of a polling place on the day of an election or while early voting is in progress.
* racetrack; secured area of an airport
* In any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court.
* *on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship. [Whether the church wants you to carry or not - however, not effective unless the church posts the BIG 30.06-compliant signs at every entrance]
* *On the premises of a Hospital licensed under the Health and Safety Code [see churches, above]
* *On the premises of a nursing home licensed under the Health and Safety Code [see churches, above]
* *Amusement parks. Amusement Parks means a permanent indoor or outdoor facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the public that is located in a county with a population of more than one million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
* Public or private premises conspicuously posted with this sign [ http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/chlssign.htm ] do [apply and are illegal for people to carry in]
* Items above marked * Do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.

Some of these places make sense. Some of them don’t.

Second, with regards to private property rights, I support the idea of a property *owner* (not a lessee) being allowed to do as he or she wishes with the property, including the banning of concealed carry firearms. That said, I believe that Texas now needs to codify into law the following idea:

If a private property owner or any of his or her assigned agents or lessees shall prohibit the otherwise lawful concealed carry of firearms on his or her property, said property owner is then totally and wholly responsible for seeing to the safety of those who enter their property in the course of commerce. In the event that these people should come to harm through the owner’s failure to provide adequate security to each individual person on their property, said property owner is then liable for any and all damages arising from the incident up to and including liability for death, dismemberment, and disability that occurs on the property, even if committed by a third party illegally entering the property. Conversely, a property owner allowing legal concealed carry on his property cannot be held liable for damages and injuries that occur as a result of someone exercising his or her legal right to self defense on that property.

Translation: You want me to leave my guns behind to go shopping on your land? OK, but *you* are responsible for my safety now, and if something happens, I’m going to end up OWNING you, your property, and all of your money. If you do allow concealed carry and something goes “wrong,” you can’t be sued.

If Texas implements that, I guarantee that those 30.06 signs will start disappearing. The liability factors alone will force it.

[goldstategop]

I really have to revise my opinion of Rick Perry - its rare when a politicians talks common sense on the RKBA. Of course, gun-free zones should be banned. Governor Perry understands liberal anti-gun idiocy costs innocent lives. Texans should be able to conceal carry their arms anywhere. Period.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[philman_36]

Many citizens of states that currently enjoy Open Carry are surprised to learn that the great Lone Star State does not allow its law-abiding citizens to Open Carry.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I remember noticing (in 1980) a sign at a watering hole at the DFW announcing that it was illegal to carry firearms in a saloon in Texas. The first image that came to this Northeasterner’s mind was the barkeep reminding a couple of prospective patrons, “Gentlemen, y’all best check you shootin’ irons ‘fore I serves ya.”

[ExGeeEye]

I read to the end of the comments so far, and regret that I did not see the one comment that should be most common IMHO:

That the Second does not include any verbiage about permits or licenses, and that the bureaucratic processes and monetary fees required just about everywhere (except Vermont?) for such things amount to an infringement against those who don't want to do the paperwork or pay for the privilege of exercising a Constitutional Right.

OTOH, I understand the concept of incremental "baby steps" back from the brink of confiscation, and applaud the Governor for his latest effort.

[PapaBear3625]

About 260,000 Texans, who have undergone mandatory background check and training, are licensed to carry a concealed weapon, records show. In the last fiscal year, 180 licenses were revoked

Considering that even being accused of domestic violence (a common divorce tactic used even when not true) will result in getting your guns taken away (and thus also your license), this represents a vanishingly small percentage of CCW holders getting into trouble

And you know that a CCW holder committing an unjustified homicide WILL be front-page nationwide news for weeks. This speaks volumes about CCW holders

[Badeye]

I don’t understand how anyone leaves the house without a firearm....

[Osage Orange]

“The last time I checked, putting a sign up that says 'Don’t bring your weapons in here,' someone who has ill intent on their mind — they could care less," Perry told reporters.

Wow....it's not often you hear common sense out of a politician.

I'm nearly speechless.......

[Dead Corpse]

"...if they are licensed and they have gone through the training."

I've been shooting for 31 years. I served in the Marine Corps for 6 years. I've shot numerous courses of fire including building clears and other "shoot/no shoot" training exercises.

And yet this moron still thinks people like me need to be "licensed and trained" to EXERCISE A RIGHT?

Don't get me wrong, I laud his efforts to try and reign in the anti-gun forces out there trying to make more and more places off limits to those who take their self-defense personally. I just don't the rest of his "tone" about our RKBA.

[Larry Lucido]

Good for him. Kudos to Perry for getting one right.

[wastedyears]

Gun bans = unconstitutional

Period

[CONSERVE]

“Anybody has a right to tell somebody that they can’t bring their handgun into their place of business," Burnam said. “I think the governor is just overreaching in a counterproductive way and it's kind of typical (of the) governor — shoot from the hip, literally and figuratively."

Probably the same person who wants to ban smoking in all public places.

[Erik Latranyi]

“Anybody has a right to tell somebody that they can’t bring their handgun into their place of business." Burnam D-Fort Worth said.

Yes, but if that business provides no security for its patrons, then you are advertising a gun-free zone for criminals to exploit.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Were I governor, I’d propose an exception for secured facilities with magnetometers to screen for guns, and a gun-check desk so that patrons would not have to leave guns in cars. Private property owners who invite the public would still be free to choose policies, but must have appropriate and expensive facilities (like sprinkler systems, wheelchair ramps, etc.)

And make private property owners strictly liable for the criminal acts of others if they exclude guns.

Make it clear that violating a “no gun rule” is not a crime, and the only involvement of the government is to take action against trespassers who refuse to leave when asked.

The feds and their facilities are “special” under the law, so disarmament can’t be stopped there. But let it be know that no state official or facility will be used in enforcing, apprehending, or incarcerating anyone violating a federal facility gun ban.

And perhaps criminalize the carrying of guns by federal officials outside of their duties/facility, unless they have a state citizen carry license. (still working on this one)