Bartholomew Roberts
June 14, 2006, 03:02 PM
I realize many Texas gun owners are not members of TSRA and don't realize what a great job they do, the good value they represent, or that they don't plague you with junk mail and donation requests like the NRA. This post is to inform you guys of what is going on and the plans for the upcoming meeting of the Texas legislature in 2007.
First off, Doc Brown has retired. This man represented TSRA in Austin as a full-time lobbyist for 25 years (and he worked a day job AND did the lobbyist portion before that). At times he worked as both the TSRA and NRA lobbyist. Alice Tripp has taken his place and does an outstanding job; but knowledge and contacts like that will be hard to replace.
Second, we lost several important pro-RKBA legislators. They were important because not only did they help push RKBA, they had seniority and important committees that gave their opinion a lot of weight. Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp whose parents were killed in the Killeen Luby's incident while her pistol sat locked in the glovebox of her car as required by law was a powerful force in promoting CCW all across the nation. She has now retired. Ray Allen, another senior legislator has retired. Terry Keel who sponsored the new Texas travelling law for us retired to run for a slot on the Court of Criminal Appeals and was defeated.
These are going to be tough legislators to replace and TSRA has important work to do in 2007. One of the issues facing TSRA is that several county district attorney's still refuse to acknowledge the new travelling law. Chuck Rosenthal of Harris county is one. Richard Miller of Bell County is claiming that ALL firearms (not just handguns) are illegal if you don't meet the travelling exemption. Just something to think about in the upcoming elections for that office...
Another issue facing TSRA is enacting a law preventing confiscation similar to New Orleans. Thanks to Doc Brown's earlier work, a law limiting what can be done in emergency situations is already on the books in Texas having passed in 1985. However, it could stand to be updated and better protections for lawful gun owners added. TSRA is going to have a tough time doing this in 2007 with most of its varsity line-up missing.
Finally, for Dallas residents, let's not forget that Mayor Laura Miller has been cozying up to folks like Michael Bloomberg and Ray Nagin. She used our tax money to fly up to New York for a conference on gun violence. She is up for reelection soon. Is there any doubt about whether she will issue a Nagin-like confiscation order if she gets the chance?
TSRA really needs your help. If you are not a member, please consider joining (http://www.tsra.com/?p=page&id=1). If you are already a member, please consider sending what you can spare the next time you get your twice-a-year request for money from TSRA. Most of all, find out how YOUR politicians think on these issues and replace as necessary.
First off, Doc Brown has retired. This man represented TSRA in Austin as a full-time lobbyist for 25 years (and he worked a day job AND did the lobbyist portion before that). At times he worked as both the TSRA and NRA lobbyist. Alice Tripp has taken his place and does an outstanding job; but knowledge and contacts like that will be hard to replace.
Second, we lost several important pro-RKBA legislators. They were important because not only did they help push RKBA, they had seniority and important committees that gave their opinion a lot of weight. Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp whose parents were killed in the Killeen Luby's incident while her pistol sat locked in the glovebox of her car as required by law was a powerful force in promoting CCW all across the nation. She has now retired. Ray Allen, another senior legislator has retired. Terry Keel who sponsored the new Texas travelling law for us retired to run for a slot on the Court of Criminal Appeals and was defeated.
These are going to be tough legislators to replace and TSRA has important work to do in 2007. One of the issues facing TSRA is that several county district attorney's still refuse to acknowledge the new travelling law. Chuck Rosenthal of Harris county is one. Richard Miller of Bell County is claiming that ALL firearms (not just handguns) are illegal if you don't meet the travelling exemption. Just something to think about in the upcoming elections for that office...
Another issue facing TSRA is enacting a law preventing confiscation similar to New Orleans. Thanks to Doc Brown's earlier work, a law limiting what can be done in emergency situations is already on the books in Texas having passed in 1985. However, it could stand to be updated and better protections for lawful gun owners added. TSRA is going to have a tough time doing this in 2007 with most of its varsity line-up missing.
Finally, for Dallas residents, let's not forget that Mayor Laura Miller has been cozying up to folks like Michael Bloomberg and Ray Nagin. She used our tax money to fly up to New York for a conference on gun violence. She is up for reelection soon. Is there any doubt about whether she will issue a Nagin-like confiscation order if she gets the chance?
TSRA really needs your help. If you are not a member, please consider joining (http://www.tsra.com/?p=page&id=1). If you are already a member, please consider sending what you can spare the next time you get your twice-a-year request for money from TSRA. Most of all, find out how YOUR politicians think on these issues and replace as necessary.
