PracticalTactical wrote:So, I called Lavender's office and talked to his staff for a few minutes to see if there was any truth to the story I was hearing on the forum.
Unfortunately, I got the same story from them. The staff is saying TSRA talked him into delaying the bill knowing it would would never get on the calendar without some serious support at the last minute (which was never provided as promised). So, either the staff is lying to me, or the TSRA really did this.
I'm only trying to understand how this is all unfolding, but from your opening post to the last reply, you seem to be backing away from your initial assertion that the story you heard on Opencarry.org that the TSRA (or NRA or both), for all intents and purposes lied/sabotaged HB2756, was confirmed by Lavenders office.PracticalTactical wrote:That was similar to my experience on the phone with the staff.
They would give all sorts of vague answers, and as soon as the questions got too pointed I'd get transferred to somebody else. The last lady I talked to at first would only commit to saying the NRA and TSRA were 'less than helpful'. She kept waffling and wouldn't give a straight yes or no on any question unless I'd ask it like three times.
Finally, I asked the pointed question of "Did the NRA and TSRA ask Mr. Lavender to delay his bill?"
I didn't get a yes or no, I got a long story about how they understand the importance of the other bills and how Mr. Lavender worked quietly on the bill at the beginning of the session drumming up support, or at least neutrality, from police groups.
From your last account and Charles' account of the discussion with Lavenders office, it sounds like they're trying not to say much, but are disappointed that they didn't get early support from the NRA and TSRA but also acknowledged and understood how important it was for them to focus on the 2 "headline" bills which they have done.
From all accounts I've heard, to me it almost sounds like a freshman Representative that followed through with an open carry bill because it was a campaign promise. Kind of an "oh no, now I have to do it" and realized it was no easy task if it were to be successful. It's admirable, but it's also understood he doens't want to feel as thought he failed those that put him in office. That's a lot better than a a huge set back if the wrong bill was supported ad pushed, and at the wrong time.
Maybe next session. I've been wanting to add to my OWB leather for a couple years, so maybe I'll just go ahead and get an order in to Tucker as a consolation prize to myself.
