Gun permit allows quick access to Texas Capitol

[defendandprotect]

By JAY ROOT, Associated Press Writer Jay Root, Associated Press Writer – 35 mins ago
AUSTIN, Texas – Everyone from lobbyists to lawyers and journalists is rushing to get permits to carry guns inside the Texas Capitol, where legislators already often tote pistols in boots and purses or stow them away inside their desks.

A unique loophole in a new security procedure means a gun permit is like a special-access pass into the domed building, allowing people who are certified to carry a gun to bypass lines at the metal detectors that were set up after a shooting incident earlier this year.

"Nobody wants to be the one standing in line behind three hundred kids wearing the same colored T-shirt," said University of Texas political scientist Jim Henson. "If you're trying to get in and out really quick and there's going to be choke points, well, people don't want to have to deal with that."

There's now a frenzy for folks to get trained and licensed to carry a firearm, especially before the legislative session begins in January. It's not required that people have a gun to enter the Capitol through the express lane. Merely holding a valid permit, and presenting it at the entrance, will get them expedited entry.

"Everybody is doing it or is planning to do it," said lobbyist Bill Miller, who has taken the required training and is waiting for his license to arrive in the mail.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100719/ap_on_re_us/us_texas_capitol_guns


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We have more guns in America than there are people --

and evidently owners don't have to be insured against any damages their guns do -- !!!

[gratuitous]

1. I'm practically sure this consequence was not intended

Look for the Lege to tighten this one up right away.

[Katya Mullethov]

29. How long ya figer that'll take ?

A week ? A month maybe ? They -are- being exposed to the threat of instant death after all .

[KamaAina]

2. So, let me see if I've got this straight

the people you KNOW may be carrying get waved through, and everyone else waits in line?!

Reminds me of one of those silly movies where a swarthy fellow with a smoking package with wires sticking out of it goes straight through, then they pat down the hapless, bumbling hero right behind him.. :eyes:

[damntexdem]

3. That won't last long -- this is Texas:

just wait to all of them same-color-t-shirted school kids are all packing.

;-)

More seriously, it's just another bit of Texas dumb.

[jae1227]

4. It's just a lopehole for lobbiest.

[Hoopla Phil]

5. Already a post on this topic here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=330672&mesg_id=330672

[Katya Mullethov]

30. Of which there was also a previous thread

Been going on some time . Ya think the knobs in Austin have heard yet ?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x319244

[onehandle]

6. Written for the gun lobby, I'm sure. So they can show off their clients' wares.

And to threaten all others, of course.

A good lesson from teabagger central.

[X_Digger]

7. Hint.. the x-ray machine is new, not the CHL holders in the capitol. n/t

[onehandle]

8. Regardless, it's the marketing of fear and aggression.

The teabagger's bread and butter.

[X_Digger]

10. Nice deflection- not really.

Please, do some research on the history of concealed carry in Texas before you make yourself look worse.

[Hoopla Phil]

11. No it's not. And equating anyone with a Texas CHL as a Tea Bagger

is very offensive. Why do always resort to such things?

[SteveM]

13. Slur and smear are all some posters have left. nt

[SteveM]

12. Teabaggers? This is about a security procedure. Not relevant. nt

[east texas lib]

9. Fire up another bowl and hit it hard...

I think you're about there.:boring:

[S_B_Jackson]

14. Given the number of state legislators and their aides who have CHLs

I'd say that this is a terrific policy and whole-heartedly support it.

[depakid]

15. LOL- wow

Looking forward to the shoot-out headlines. Should be interesting to see the reactions to that.

After all, the capitol's already been shot up once this year!

[Hoopla Phil]

16. I missed the part where it was by a legal CHL holder. Oh wait, it wasn't.

[depakid]

17. Legal, illegal doesn't matter- they all shoot their spouses, kids, co-workers, cops, etc.

Tic tock til the next mass shooting.

[Hoopla Phil]

18. Funny post. You missed the sarcasm tag.

[depakid]

19. Actually, I missed suicides

They do that too- though unlike the Texas mayor, one would hope they at least had the small sense of decency not to kill their teen aged daughters as well.

[Hoopla Phil]

25. Moving the goal posts again I see. Suicide is irrelevant to gun possession.

Someone that is going to commit suicide is not going to say "Oh damn, I don't have a gun so I can't kill myself." Do you really believe that?

[PavePusher]

20. Don't be a bigot on a progressive website.

You don't wear it well.

[depakid]

22. What a paranoid thought- that you're somehow "different' because of a gun obsession

Under your "logic," laws against smoking on airplanes would be "bigoted."

[Hoopla Phil]

26. Someone points out your bigoted attitude to gun owners and you respond with

"what a paranoid thought"? WTF? Maybe you should pick up a dictionary and look up both bigoted and paranoid because you obviously don't know what one (or both) of those words mean.

[defendandprotect]

21. +1000% -- unfortunately, a lot of truth in that --

[X_Digger]

24. Psst.. it's been this way for 15 years. Hold your breath for us. n/t

[Nomorehannity]

23. Get rid of the metal detectors. Panic and emotion is what got them installed.

This is such a non issue. Permit holders are the most law abiding group of citizens you'll find and even the gun haters know it.

[Walk away]

27. You are so right.

In fact, I believe Texas should be the test case for full fledged 2nd amendment rights. Everyone in the entire state should be required to carry a fire arm. Children under fourteen would need to be accompanied by an adult while "packing" but encouraged to own and carry loaded guns to school, parks and playgrounds. The entire state could be offered free NRA gun safety classes.

Let's put this debate to bed once and for all. Let's let Texans show the rest of the country how it's done!

[rrneck]

28. Wow. You didn't need the sarcasm tag. ( I hope ). nt

[DonP]

31. It's supposed to be humor ... I think

Everyone knows the NRA demands guns for everyone, everywhere, right?

It's just the people that say that can never seem to find any support that shows actually anyone at the NRA ever said that. I guess it's supposed to be funny about widespread teaching of gun safety. Get it? Teaching kids to stay away from guns or people with weapons and tell an adult is a stupid thing to do. I always wonder why people that think teaching gun safety is stupid and dangerous but feel teaching basic sex education is smart and a good way to keep them safe as they grow up.

The fact that CCW people are from 4 to 10 times more law abiding than their unarmed counterparts isn't nearly as important as trying to sound smart. Just don't let facts or the actual record get in the way of what seems like a cute bumper sticker.

That's pretty much what gun control supporters have become, bad bumper sticker authors.

[PavePusher]

32. Did you have to hire help to get all those Strawmen stuffed? n/t