Interesting question at Brazoria County's hurricane prep con
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:33 am
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 27126.html
"June 4, 2006, 11:57PM
WRAP-UPS
In storm, you can keep gun
By RICHARD STEWART
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Gun-toting Texans can relax about one concern this hurricane season: The state has no plans to disarm residents in the wake of a big storm.
A questioner got big applause at Brazoria County's hurricane preparedness conference Thursday when he asked whether law enforcement agencies were going to demand that private citizens surrender their firearms after a storm.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Randy Jones said taking firearms from citizens has never been part of a state plan.
He recalled going to Bridge City after that town was slammed by Hurricane Rita in September and seeing a homemade sign that read, "You loot, we shoot."
Residents conducted armed patrols to make sure that homes and businesses were secure, he said. State troopers going into the damaged area assisted the patrols, rather than stopping them.
"The locals know much better who belongs in their neighborhoods than a DPS trooper who may be from as far away as Lubbock," Jones said. "If you're guarding your neighbor's home with a shotgun, nobody is going to bother you.
"Of course, if you're walking out of his house with a television set, then we're going to arrest you," he concluded, drawing a big laugh.
RICHARD STEWART"
"June 4, 2006, 11:57PM
WRAP-UPS
In storm, you can keep gun
By RICHARD STEWART
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Gun-toting Texans can relax about one concern this hurricane season: The state has no plans to disarm residents in the wake of a big storm.
A questioner got big applause at Brazoria County's hurricane preparedness conference Thursday when he asked whether law enforcement agencies were going to demand that private citizens surrender their firearms after a storm.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Randy Jones said taking firearms from citizens has never been part of a state plan.
He recalled going to Bridge City after that town was slammed by Hurricane Rita in September and seeing a homemade sign that read, "You loot, we shoot."
Residents conducted armed patrols to make sure that homes and businesses were secure, he said. State troopers going into the damaged area assisted the patrols, rather than stopping them.
"The locals know much better who belongs in their neighborhoods than a DPS trooper who may be from as far away as Lubbock," Jones said. "If you're guarding your neighbor's home with a shotgun, nobody is going to bother you.
"Of course, if you're walking out of his house with a television set, then we're going to arrest you," he concluded, drawing a big laugh.
RICHARD STEWART"
