Posted on 01/27/2005 3:28:02 PM PST by NativeTexun
Houston transit riders can carry guns 04:32 PM CST on Thursday, January 27, 2005 HOUSTON – Houston area residents licensed to carry concealed handguns can now take their weapons aboard buses and light rail trains. The board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County on Thursday repealed its long-standing ban of concealed weapons. The transit authority, also known as Metro, had banned such weapons on its buses and trains since 1995, when the Legislature voted to allow licensed owners to carry concealed handguns in most public places. In 2003, the state amended the concealed handgun law to prevent Texas cities from banning such weapons from public buildings. In response to the change in the law, Metro officials on Thursday voted to amend their policy to now prohibit the unlawful carrying of such weapons. "I think Metro was not enthusiastic about people carrying handguns on board, but we cannot legally ban people who are legally carrying those handguns from being on Metro," said David Wolff, Metro's chairman. The change in Metro's policy was sparked by a lawsuit filed in October 2003 by several organizations. "Metro is to be commended. They did the right thing. They did the lawful thing. They saved their ratepayers unnecessary funds to litigate it further," said Texas General Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who is chairman of the Civil Liberties Defense Foundation, one of the groups that filed the lawsuit.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
I’m all for legalised gun ownership but isn’t this a little extreme? Somehow I can imagine that people who ride on busses have a social obligation to respect the wishes of others (i.e. those who do not feel secure around firearms).I used to work a late shift, in a not very good neighborhood, at a job that didn't pay enough for me to own a car.
Same argument goes with banning CHL inside stores.
One would not smoke on a public bus service for similar reasons…Sure, but you don't see the city banning people from carrying a concealed pack of Marlboro's while riding the bus.
Ping
Depends in what state, but not really. Those who are licensed to carry have the lowest crime rate of any group of citizens.
In fact, I would not know which of those on the bus are carrying or not. That's they whole point of concealed carry. The criminals don't know who is or is not carrying.
"An Armed Society is A Polite Society" Robert Heinlein
Oh, I see, you think that potential hostage takers were waiting for a law to make it legal for permit holders to carry before getting on a bus or train, etc. with a firearm. Of course they would. Anyone thinking about taking public transportation hostage wouldn't dream of doing it illegally now would they? They were just waiting so they wouldn't break any laws before taking a bunch of people hostage, and that is assuming they have a carrry permit.
The stupidity of some people is not to be believed. Yes, I mean you, feel free to take offense because I did at your post!
Unfortunately, those folks probably do believe at this point in their indoctrination that guns are evil and those who carry them are just itching for a reason to slap leather and gun down innocent bystanders.
Not at all. They require that safeties be kept on while boarding or debusing. Children under the age of five are not permitted to handle weapons without an adult supervising. And no weapon may be allowed to intrude into the personal space of other passengers.
Of course not. When it's time for their bus drivers to get off work they just pull over to the side of the street, park the bus and leave.
Passengers have to wait for another driver to arrive.
But maybe now the driver will be a little less eager to abandon the passengers.
I don't feel secure on a train when someone is reading a book by Michael Moore. But, I feel no social obligation to have the book forcibly removed from him. If you don't like guns, don't own one.
No it isn't extreme, the gun must be concealed, those who do not feel comfortable around firearms won't know it is there.
The difference is, were someone to smoke on a public bus, it would be obvious to everyone in the bus.
If a gangsta was robbing and raping one of these people "unconfortable" with concealed guns, do you think she would tell me to go away if I tried to rescue her with my .38 Special?
BTTT
Should people who ride buses be required to leave their rights at the curb? Worse, they'd be defenseless walking to and from the bus stop. Many who ride buses do so because they can't afford to drive, so I favor not only this change, but also the availability of inexpensive handguns because a person's rights should not be contingent on their ability to afford a $500-1,000 pistol. And, for the most part, armed citizens only need a gun that will go "bang" that one time they need it.
You say you're "for legalised gun ownership". That could mean you favor you and your friends being able to have them for your own reasons, but maybe not "the masses"? Maybe you're also "for legalised free speech" as long as it doesn't become too extreme?
Any non-felon has the right to carry a firearm anywhere he damn well pleases. I have a permit and I follow the laws because I don't want the hassle of not doing so, but the laws are still wrong.
EVERYONE will be safer.
Wake up and smell the blood. The biggest problem with public transit is lingering in a "target zone" waiting for the vehicle to arrive. Likewise when you get off.
The people most likely to "be offended" are the criminals (people who don't obey the law) who like their victims unarmed.
Wake up and smell the dictionary. Criminal: someone who doesn't obey the law. So, why would a criminal obey any law about carrying weapons anywhere?
And one should clean the drunks off their streets in residential neighborhoods so the children could play in their yards!!
Busy yourself in the UK.
Good thinking!
My family lived in Houston for a number of years, and damn I love that town! Maybe the hero with the fastest draw will rein supreme just like in the old westerns. Here's hoping they pop the bad guys right between their eyes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.