DKSuddeth
Accomplished Advocate
imported post
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/16717270/detail.html
good god I hope I can get my article accepted rebutting this crap.
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/16717270/detail.html
Written by Stephen Dudley
Some Texans, especially members of the Texas Citizens Defense League, are asking Gov. Rick Perry and the state legislature to allow citizens to carry firearms in plain sight. For some in the Metroplex, it's an insane idea. Many believe it will never come to fruition. On the other hand, many point to the fact that most states do allow open carrying of guns.
I'm a property owner in Tarrant County. I own two handguns, one shotgun and one hunting rifle. Except for hunting, skeet shooting or target practice at a private shooting range, I've never had reason to remove them from locked storage. I would never consider carrying those weapons with me. It's just asking for trouble.
Tarrant County is very diverse. We have a significant number of affluent and educated whites, black and Latinos. We also have more than our share of less-fortunate, less-educated folk across all walks of life. As a metro-area resident who interacts within most of these groups, I'm worried how this petition will affect race relations. I have lots of friends of Mexican descent, most of whom live in southeast Fort Worth, the suburbs and along the old highway to Dallas. They're worried the right to carry firearms openly will inflame relations and tension between area gangs
My friend Raphael was robbed two months ago, early in the morning, while walking home from a bar near the 2800 block of J street in Fort Worth. He thinks he'd be dead if the men who robbed him had guns. Nevertheless, he's now scraping together money to buy a handgun for protection.
Petition proponents were undoubtedly delighted with a Los Angeles Times story (run June 8 in the Star-Telegram) about a family in Provo, Utah, that openly carries firearms. It told the story of Kevin Jensen, who brings his Glock 23 into his bank, restaurants, shopping centers and even Ron Paul political rallies. Most days, he and his wife drop off their 5-year-old daughter at school. They both openly carrying guns. They receive no complaints. This is the type of situation petition proponents desire here in Dallas/Fort Worth. They may get something much different instead.
I've read the TDCL propaganda. I am not buying it. Their members do not see the turbulence they are causing in the community. Their online forums hide behind the fear that the state and federal government won't protect Texans against increasing illegal immigration from Mexico. They'd better be careful what they ask for. This petition will cause more trouble for Dallas/Fort Worth. The TDCL's opening statement is from Winston Churchill, talking about fighting Nazism. It had nothing to do with the right to bear arms.
This petition is not necessary, nor will it be beneficial for anyone in Texas, for the following reasons:
- It will re-enforce stereotypes about Texans as gun-slinging, Wild West people living in the past.
- It will inflame already high tensions between black and Latinos in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
- It will give rise to citizen-applied justice if problems along the border increase and illegal immigration continues to increase.
- It will, in the end, reduce the rights of citizens to carry arms and to enjoy recreational target practice or hunting activities.
This is a terrible time for me to start thinking about selling my home and moving elsewhere, but, believe me, I'm considering it. I hope and pray Gov. Perry will not allow this petition to see the light of day.
good god I hope I can get my article accepted rebutting this crap.