KBCraig
Regular Member
Divide and conquer is a well known and historically respected tactic. We don't generally expect those nominally on our side to do the dividing. But:
Welcome to Texas.
I've said here so many times that I can't count, that no pro-gun bill will see the light of day in Texas unless it gets the blessing of the NRA and/or TSRA (especially the latter). TSRA has repeatedly said they don't oppose open carry, but it's not one of their priorities. At the same time, just the mention of open carry has been blamed for failure of TSRA-backed bills (most notably 2009, when no OC bill was even introduced, but OC was blamed for the failure of campus carry legislation). Opencarry.org was referred to as a bunch of carpet-bagging Virginians trying to interfere with Texas, even.
Here we go, all over again. Charles Cotton is the former executive director of TSRA, and long-time legislative coordinator of the group (a much more powerful position). He was pushing for concealed carry (concealed only) in the 1980s, a good 10 years before it ever passed. He's the owner of the major gun forum in the state, one that has "CHL" in its name. In other words, if he's not the gatekeeper by title, he's the next best thing: the gatekeeper who doesn't have to acknowledge his role.
TSRA has long had priorities of:
1. Parking lot carry
2. College campus carry
3. Anything but open carry
So, here's the division, launched right off the bat for the 2013 legislative session:
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=60117
"If only one bill could pass, would you prefer it to be campus-carry or open-carry?"
Of course, there won't be just one bill passed, nor just two bills introduced. There will be multiple bills introduced, both pro- and anti-gun. But for some reason, in the eyes of TSRA and/or Charles Cotton, it all boils down to campus carry (which has massive organized and well-funded opposition), versus open carry (which has no opposition at all other than those who are already anti-gun, and the concealed carry lobbyists).
Just to make it clear, OC advocates are being asked to make themselves comfortable lying in the bus lane while the driver gets his rig started:
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=734990#p734990
There you go: the gatekeeper has declared OC "DOA". He's not an elected official of any kind, not even in the TSRA. He's just the guy who knows what's best for you.
For the record, I'm a member of TSRA. I can't make a difference, but I belong just to shut up those who claim I don't have a right to complain if I'm not a member.
Welcome to Texas.
I've said here so many times that I can't count, that no pro-gun bill will see the light of day in Texas unless it gets the blessing of the NRA and/or TSRA (especially the latter). TSRA has repeatedly said they don't oppose open carry, but it's not one of their priorities. At the same time, just the mention of open carry has been blamed for failure of TSRA-backed bills (most notably 2009, when no OC bill was even introduced, but OC was blamed for the failure of campus carry legislation). Opencarry.org was referred to as a bunch of carpet-bagging Virginians trying to interfere with Texas, even.
Here we go, all over again. Charles Cotton is the former executive director of TSRA, and long-time legislative coordinator of the group (a much more powerful position). He was pushing for concealed carry (concealed only) in the 1980s, a good 10 years before it ever passed. He's the owner of the major gun forum in the state, one that has "CHL" in its name. In other words, if he's not the gatekeeper by title, he's the next best thing: the gatekeeper who doesn't have to acknowledge his role.
TSRA has long had priorities of:
1. Parking lot carry
2. College campus carry
3. Anything but open carry
So, here's the division, launched right off the bat for the 2013 legislative session:
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=60117
"If only one bill could pass, would you prefer it to be campus-carry or open-carry?"
Of course, there won't be just one bill passed, nor just two bills introduced. There will be multiple bills introduced, both pro- and anti-gun. But for some reason, in the eyes of TSRA and/or Charles Cotton, it all boils down to campus carry (which has massive organized and well-funded opposition), versus open carry (which has no opposition at all other than those who are already anti-gun, and the concealed carry lobbyists).
Charles L. Cotton said:Anyone who has been around for even one prior Texas Legislative Session has probably read discussions about using political capital to pass or sometimes block legislation. I have previously pointed out that every time we file more than one high profile and/or controversial bill, it provides an opportunity for a Senator or Representative to vote for one and not for another, then argue, "well, I voted for your _______ bill!"
With that background, if you could see one and only one of the two bills pass, which would you choose? Please don't tell us we can pass both, or we should try to pass both; that's not the purpose of this poll or thread. I'm trying to gauge our Members priority ranking between campus-carry and open-carry. This poll will be open for 30 days.
Chas.
Just to make it clear, OC advocates are being asked to make themselves comfortable lying in the bus lane while the driver gets his rig started:
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=734990#p734990
Charles L. Cotton said:Last session's bill was a train wreck! It unnecessarily opened massive sections of the Government Code and Penal Code to anti-gun, anti-carry amendments. The worst part was the amendment to TPC §30.06 that would make it apply to both open and concealed carry. If the OC bill this session has the same provision, it will be DOA.
Chas.
There you go: the gatekeeper has declared OC "DOA". He's not an elected official of any kind, not even in the TSRA. He's just the guy who knows what's best for you.
For the record, I'm a member of TSRA. I can't make a difference, but I belong just to shut up those who claim I don't have a right to complain if I'm not a member.