Make comments on opinion article

[wgoforth]

To try to help educate the area to CHL's, I have a published letter to the editor. Unfortunately, I was only allowed 250 words. Also unfortunately, apparently I cannot comment to the bloggers on my own article. If others would like to blog on, go to http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/m ... bear-arms/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; you have to register, but only takes a couple of minutes. More correct info we can get out there the better!

[The Annoyed Man]

I posted the following response:

in response to JarHead:

"As long as the second amendment is observed, the rest of our rights are guaranteed." Baloney. Not all legal gun carriers are going to always be nice. Legal carry does not automatically an upstanding citizen make. So now should we trust Goforth with a gun? I wonder if he has ever even been in a National park.

JarHead, you sound like you don't know very much about the process necessary to obtaining a CHL, which is absolutely necessary to legal carry anywhere outside of your vehicle, home, or place of business. We pass all kinds of background checks that most citizens do not have to undergo. We owe nothing in back taxes, unpaid alimony, unpaid child support, or unpaid student loans. We are cleared by the FBI, including any Homeland Security interests. We are educated in the laws of concealed carry, are educated in conflict resolution and de-escalation, and pass a range qualification. Statistically, CHL holders are far less likely to be involved in crimes than the rest of the citizenry.

We can PROVE our trustworthiness. Can you say the same? If you don't meet all of the above qualifications, or even if you do but have no means to prove it, then your accusation rings hollow. As to whether or not GoForth has ever actually been in a national park, you've made a statement without regard for any actual knowledge of the man and his pastimes. As the sage once said, "better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Let's see if that gets past their moderators.

[A-R]

Well done, TAM!

[TxKimberMan]

You sound a little "annoyed" in your response to JarHead... ...cheers mate, nice retort.

[wgoforth]

Thanks so much annoyed! Jarhead is a local radical liberal/atheist who stirs up the local bloggosphere. Abilene itself is fairly well versed on CHL, but the smaller communities which receive the paper (like here is Brownwood) not so much. I will write another letter to the editor later, but for the first one, I wanted to make it clear about basic gun laws period. I appreciate so much your time and input on this.

[The Annoyed Man]

My second comment, also waiting for moderator approval, reads:

in response to Stratman:

Geez. The letter writer makes a VERY valid point. However, if Texas laws are so great, why can't we carry in a state park? Big signs at the enterance say no firearms. Are CCW's excluded from this?

Stratman, we CAN carry in state parks. Please see: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/park ... ations/#5c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In that FAQ, it says:

"(d) Arms and Firearms. It is an offense for any person to display or discharge an arm or firearm in a state park, unless:

1. the person is participating in a public hunting activity within the state park that has been authorized by written order of the director so long as the person is in compliance with the applicable public hunting rules and regulations; or
2. the person has been authorized by written order of the director."

Such written authorization was issued in 1998:

"Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Executive Director Order No. 98-001
Nothing in the Public Hunting Lands Proclamation or State Parks Proclamation prohibits a person from possessing a concealed handgun, loaded or unloaded, under the authority of a concealed handgun license issued by this state or any other state. Persons carrying concealed handguns must comply with all concealed handgun laws.

The Executive Director reserves the right to prohibit the carrying of all firearms during certain events or in certain locations on Departmental lands.

This order is issued pursuant to Title 31, Texas Administrative Code, Sections 59.134(0(1) and 65.199, and is effective immediately.

Signed this the 8th day of July, 1998.

Andrew Sansom
Executive Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department"

The one place where you may NOT carry your concealed weapon (or any centerfire rifle or pistol for that matter, concealed or not) is on land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). However, the TWPD says that if ACOE owned land is leased to TWPD, then TWPD law applies, and you would then be able to carry your concealed weapon in that park.

I hope that clears things up for you a bit.

[joe817]

Well done TAM!

[Rex B]

That site requires more info to register than I want to give.
Someone needs to respond to the comment that he can't carry in Texas State Parks.
It's been made very clear that CHLs are welcome in Texas State Parks.

[The Annoyed Man]

That site requires more info to register than I want to give.
Someone needs to respond to the comment that he can't carry in Texas State Parks.
It's been made very clear that CHLs are welcome in Texas State Parks.

I did comment on that site... see above.

My comments are waiting for the moderator to let them through.

[The Annoyed Man]

It doesn't look like the newspaper's editorial department wants the truth about state park carry disseminated. Comments posted after mine are appearing, but mine are still not.

[wgoforth]

It doesn't look like the newspaper's editorial department wants the truth about state park carry disseminated. Comments posted after mine are appearing, but mine are still not.

I had sent an answer in to that as well as to jarhead earlier, and that is when I figured you just couldn't comment on your own article. It ~may~ be that as new contributors, it is waiting for someone to actually look at and approve of them.
I appreciate your taking time to do this.
Wayne

[The Annoyed Man]

Well, I posted at approximately 9:30 and 10:00, and they still have not approved the comments. I can't see that either of my comments were in violation of their rules.

I sent their editorial department an email asking what I've done wrong, and if nothing, asking why my comments have not been approved. I am not sanguine about the possibility that they will take me seriously.

I tried.

[longtooth]

your experience is one reason I dont write latters to the editor every few days.

I dont write a letter in 15 min. Getting one canned is loosing 3 hrs work for me.

[wgoforth]

TAM, I know you tried, thanks anyway. ~Maybe~ it will show up.
Longtooth, I actually spent a several week period trying to craft what I was wanting to do and say in under 250 words. At least it has them talking about it.

[wgoforth]

TAM, they just now posted my replies that were sent prior to yours...so there is hope yet!