Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:58 pm
Neither Kinky Friedmand nor Strayhorn has any chance of winning and no one can argue that point. They can pull enough votes from Perry to put Bell in office. He will veto any pro-gun bills we are able to pass and we may or may not be able to override a veto, depending how late in the process the bill passes. So understand that a vote for anyone other than Perry is a vote for Chris Bell.
I'm not going to get into non-gun issues as that is not within even the broad scope of this board. However, the idea of blaming Perry or any Texas Governor for anything is short-sighted. The Gov. of Texas has very little power, other than veto power. (Were it not for Gov. Richards, we would have passed CHL in 1991.) The real power lies with the Lt. Governor. I'm not going to overstate the situation and claim that Gov. Bell would result in passage of anti-gun legislation, but he sure can be a stumbling block for pro-gun legislation.
What has Perry done to help firearm owners? He signed every pro-gun bill put on his desk, including one that could have been used against him by the anti’s. That bill restored the ability to get a CHL to certain people who were convicted years ago of what was then a felony but which is now a misdemeanor. The opposition threatened to make his signature on the bill a media circus, but he signed the bill anyway because it was right. And what about Perry’s refusal to veto HB823 (traveling bill) in spite of heavy pressure by law enforcement and the DA’s association to veto it? That took tremendous courage to defy the wishes of law enforcement and support gun owners.
How many years did we complain about making no progress on reciprocity while it was under DPS authority. Just under two years ago, reciprocity was the hottest issue debated among CHL’s on this and other boards. In fact, an especially nasty debate about reciprocity on tx.guns directly lead to the creation of the TexasCHLforum.com. But since the law was changed and authority for reciprocity agreements was assigned jointly to the Attorney General and the Governor, Greg Abbott and Rick Perry have more than doubled the number of states on our reciprocity list.
How often do we say that we “have to send a message to the anti’s� about some issue? And we’ve done that by electing a majority of pro-gun Senators and House Representatives. But consider this. We also send a message to pro-gun elected officials when we don’t stand by a man who is arguably one of the best friends gun-owners have ever had in the Governor’s Mansion. If we don’t stand by our friends who have stood by us in spite of extreme pressure, then how can we expect to retain any loyalty in Austin? One thing I have learned by being involved in this issue for almost 27 years is that when you give your word, either directly or implicitly, you’d better keep it or forget building any long-lasting support. I care about issues other than guns, but the firearms issue is a litmus test for me. If I have two or more pro-gun candidates, I can make my decision on other issues. But if a candidate is wrong on guns, then I need look no further. Nothing is more important than my right and ability to protect myself and family. The number two item on my priority list is a distant second. It doesn’t matter what Friedman’s or Strayhorn’s position is on the second amendment or CHL, because they will not win.
If Bell wins, forget about fixing the "traveling" situation, streamlining the CHL process, clarifying the definition of "premises" and doing away with unenforceable 30.06 signs, passing a "Castle Doctrine" bill, and a number of other cleanup measures to help CHL's and CHL instructors. If gun owners cost Perry this election, we’ll have only ourselves to blame for a lack of progress - the anti’s will have had no part in our troubles.
Respectfully,
Chas.
I'm not going to get into non-gun issues as that is not within even the broad scope of this board. However, the idea of blaming Perry or any Texas Governor for anything is short-sighted. The Gov. of Texas has very little power, other than veto power. (Were it not for Gov. Richards, we would have passed CHL in 1991.) The real power lies with the Lt. Governor. I'm not going to overstate the situation and claim that Gov. Bell would result in passage of anti-gun legislation, but he sure can be a stumbling block for pro-gun legislation.
What has Perry done to help firearm owners? He signed every pro-gun bill put on his desk, including one that could have been used against him by the anti’s. That bill restored the ability to get a CHL to certain people who were convicted years ago of what was then a felony but which is now a misdemeanor. The opposition threatened to make his signature on the bill a media circus, but he signed the bill anyway because it was right. And what about Perry’s refusal to veto HB823 (traveling bill) in spite of heavy pressure by law enforcement and the DA’s association to veto it? That took tremendous courage to defy the wishes of law enforcement and support gun owners.
How many years did we complain about making no progress on reciprocity while it was under DPS authority. Just under two years ago, reciprocity was the hottest issue debated among CHL’s on this and other boards. In fact, an especially nasty debate about reciprocity on tx.guns directly lead to the creation of the TexasCHLforum.com. But since the law was changed and authority for reciprocity agreements was assigned jointly to the Attorney General and the Governor, Greg Abbott and Rick Perry have more than doubled the number of states on our reciprocity list.
How often do we say that we “have to send a message to the anti’s� about some issue? And we’ve done that by electing a majority of pro-gun Senators and House Representatives. But consider this. We also send a message to pro-gun elected officials when we don’t stand by a man who is arguably one of the best friends gun-owners have ever had in the Governor’s Mansion. If we don’t stand by our friends who have stood by us in spite of extreme pressure, then how can we expect to retain any loyalty in Austin? One thing I have learned by being involved in this issue for almost 27 years is that when you give your word, either directly or implicitly, you’d better keep it or forget building any long-lasting support. I care about issues other than guns, but the firearms issue is a litmus test for me. If I have two or more pro-gun candidates, I can make my decision on other issues. But if a candidate is wrong on guns, then I need look no further. Nothing is more important than my right and ability to protect myself and family. The number two item on my priority list is a distant second. It doesn’t matter what Friedman’s or Strayhorn’s position is on the second amendment or CHL, because they will not win.
If Bell wins, forget about fixing the "traveling" situation, streamlining the CHL process, clarifying the definition of "premises" and doing away with unenforceable 30.06 signs, passing a "Castle Doctrine" bill, and a number of other cleanup measures to help CHL's and CHL instructors. If gun owners cost Perry this election, we’ll have only ourselves to blame for a lack of progress - the anti’s will have had no part in our troubles.
Respectfully,
Chas.
hmmm nuff said! Makes since to me.
).