Weapons: Texans will soon be able to carry pistols in cars

[[Political] Slayer]

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou050824_gj_txgunlaw.a75c34c2.html

It may come as a surprise to some that starting next month Texans will be allowed to carry handguns in their cars.

Since 1871, carrying a handgun has been illegal in Texas unless the owner had a permit or could prove they were traveling. This created confusion since traveling was never defined.

Texas lawmakers cleared up the confusion in their last session by defining it as driving a private motor vehicle.

This means starting September 1, anyone can drive around with a handgun in their car without a permit. That is as long as they are at least 21 and meet other criteria like not being a gang member. The gun must also be out of sight.

Some law enforcement officials say they fear the law may lead to more gun violence.

I am suprised they wouldn't allow it without a permit before, my state you can but it needs to be unloaded and in plain sight.

[Krispy Joe]

That is as long as they ... meet other criteria like not being a gang member


I don't see how they will enforce this. Do we have a Gang Member registry now?



In Minnesota, the gun has to be unloaded and in the trunk or in a place tht you can not each it when you are driving to be legit.

[[Political] Slayer]

We can have them right on the passenger seat if you want, they just need to be unloaded and the slide has to be pulled back.

[GoatChomper]

Some law enforcement officials say they fear the law may lead to more gun violence.
A predictable statement.....the same worthies solemnly promised us windrows of bodies when our CHL statute was signed into law a decade ago.
I don't see how they will enforce this. Do we have a Gang Member registry now?
Yes, there's been various state ones (including Texas) for many years already.

[Mr.P]

Not real sure how this effects gang members anyways, I would assume they were already carrying guns in their cars.....all this does is even the playing field for people that aren't gang bangers.

[Agent Law]

A predictable statement.....the same worthies solemnly promised us windrows of bodies when our CHL statute was signed into law a decade ago.
Some more impulsive types may use their guns when angered by road rage?

[Kak]

Some more impulsive types may use their guns when angered by road rage?
Exactly, I think that might turn out to be a problem. But hopefully not.

[GoatChomper]

And the same worthies solemnly assured us of more roadrage shootings when the CHL statute was enacted.

It didn't happen. To date, there hasn't been a single conviction of a Texas CHL-holder for it. Indeed, the very first CHL-involved case was an alleged roadrage one, months after enactment.....it resulted in a no-bill for the shooter when he used his weapon to shoot somebody who attacked him at a stoplight and tried to drag him from his vehicle.

Refusal to enact this statute based on those grounds would be no more valid than banning firearms in hunting because Chang Vai shot a few hunters in cold blood.

[GoatChomper]

Predictably, some elected scumbags have announced their intention to ignore the laws they swore to uphold.....

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3330553

Oh, now this is a keeper.....
"I really don't think (the law) should affect how police officers respond in arresting somebody," he added.
And people think I'm joking about feeding hogs.

[[Political] Slayer]

Heh, this is even better:

Rosenthal said the new presumption about "traveling" doesn't define what constitutes traveling

The new statute says a person is "presumed to be traveling" if he or she is in a private vehicle, is not engaged in criminal activity (except for a minor traffic offense), is not prohibited by any other law from possessing a firearm and is not a member of a criminal street gang.

Seems pretty clear to me.