Posted on 06/20/2002 2:42:51 PM PDT by PetroniDE
With 224 pair of empty shoes strewn at their feet, nearly a dozen youth braved the rain today to raise awareness of gun violence at a rally in front of city hall.
Each pair of shoes represented one Texas child or teen-ager killed by guns in 2000, said Jennifer Beazley, executive director of Texans for Gun Safety. The organization's youth division, Young Texans Against Gun Violence, led the event.
Glen Lambert, 20, said the group does not oppose gun ownership, but he said he believes access to firearms needs tighter control.
"I'm against gun violence even though I'm for citizens owning guns and protecting themselves," Lambert said.
He said the group encourages parents to educate their children about guns, and it is also lobbying for legislation to close "the gun show loophole." Program members say the loophole allows criminals and minors to bypass required background checks by buying guns from unlicensed individuals at gun shows.
A group of 10 anti-gun control protestors also showed up at the steps of city hall today to make their voices heard against the backdrop of the youths' speeches and stories.
Members of the pro-gun group stood to the side throughout the event holding signs espousing their views and at times shouting quick objections to opinions presented from the podium.
Anthony Garcia, chairman of the Harris County Libertarian Party, said gun control groups focus on inanimate objects rather than the true causes of violence.
"I empathize with what they claim they are trying to prevent, but they want to educate people with things we do not agree with," Garcia said.
Garcia said restrictions on law-abiding gun owners should be lessened so that individuals can protect themselves.
Um, didn't you forget the < /sarcasm > tag?
Flyer's stutter came in handy today. Good job people.
The least important aspect of the protest got the lead in.
Sounds like the pro-gun crowd outnumbered the anti-gun crowd (disregard his claim and look at the mission statement and stated objectives of the group, they seek to change legislation by changing people's belief that guns increase safety).
I particularly liked "Call 911 and Wait" "Where guns are banned, gun crimes increase" and "Gun Control Is Unconstitutional"
Clear, concise and effective.
Ask him if his car has a seatbelt.
Tell him that he only needs to wear it in an emergency. When an emergency occurs, he can put it on so he'll be safe!
That drug dealer's going to be mighty ticked off when he discovers it missing. (ooooooooh).
I say, Freep the Comical.
I noticed this online this week as I sourced an editorial I posted on FR.
Reader representative If you have comments on the Houston Chronicle's coverage, standards or accuracy, please call James T. Campbell, the reader representative, at 713-220-6303.Written comments can be e-mailed to readerrep@chron.com faxed to 713-220-6373 or addressed to Reader Representative, Houston Chronicle, P.O. Box 4260, Houston, Texas 77210.
I specifically cited the word "coverage" in several of the calls they made to me after I dropped my subscription a couple of years ago. Bias was another word that I used. I just gave one word answers and then I told them I would buy it "no more!". When they asked where I'd get my information, I said "internet"!
It doesn't sound like they really needed it anyway. The camera crews have their own microphones. Send a spokesman over to talk to them and then you know exactly what portion of the "protest" they captured (they can still slice it how they want but you will have iterated the key points and at least the newsroom editor will be assailed with the argument).
We don't need no stinkin' permits.......we can out yell ANYONE!
Our last FReep...the idiots would shout..1...2....3....4.....and our 'eaker' would yell FIVE.....talk about confused.....idiots were speechless....it was classic
Hey! What about me?
Ain't that the truth.
When I was a law student at UNC-Chapel Hill in the mid-1980s, no protest drawing under 100 was noteworthy. Any leftist cause drew 50.
Scandals of antigun activists and politicians - coast to coast!
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