[Drizzt]

I was just speaking with a friend of mine who is in the process of moving to Lubbock, and has already had a confrontation with the local constabulary. She was moving some of her firearms into the new house, when a police officer pulled up and started asking her questions about who she was and what she was doing.

Now, all the rifles she was moving were encased in triple locked hard cases, and she also had a backpack (with the handguns) over her shoulder, but the officer wanted to know everything about them. She explained the situation and invited the officer inside to see that all the rifles were locked with a trigger lock (she still has a couple of kids at home).

He asked if all the guns were hers, and she replied that they belonged to herself and her husband. She also offered to show him her knife collection, but he declined.

She told the officer that the only firearm she keeps ready at all times was a 9mm. The officer asked if she had a license, to which she replied that she did (and yes, I already brought up the point that he had no business asking her about a license for carrying in her own home).

I told her this is just one adjustment she will have to make when moving from the boonies to the city.

The really sad thing is, it was a couple of Texas Tech students that called the cops!

You'd think she was moving to Austin!

[Delmar]

Sadly, it looks like Lubbuttocks is filling up with their share of birdbrains too.
Funny story-back around 1970, my wife was in a rock and roll band and had a small weekend gig in Lubbock. As the boys in the band had long hair, they were harassed a lot outside of the club, and were chased out of town by some drunk rednecks. Something like Bob Seger's "Get out of Denver" tune...my, how the times do change.

[SADshooter]

I've had several very positive experiences with Texas LEO's (CHL got me out of speeding tickets, etc.), bu, at the same time, I was told by a Police instructor that no "civilian" needed an SKS. This fellow was a native, snuff-dippin' redneck. We know that, even in Texas, there are some LEOs either ignorant of the applicable law or comfortable in their omnipotence.

I do hate to put that qualifier on how much I love living in Texas (non-native "got here as fast as I could, ain't leavin' fer nuthin'" transplant)

[HankB]

Rather than inviting the officer in, I do believe I would have politely invited him to leave.

[TarpleyG]

Yeah, I would have told him to get bent too. Most likely he was young and didn't know any better and being a college town it is probably filled with more than the average number of libs for a Texas town.

GT

[drannor]

I've lived in Austin for years and never had a problem with local law enforcement. In fact.... it was an APD officer who first told me about TX's CHL laws and encouraged me to obtain one if I was traveling with firearms regularly to the range. He didn't say that I NEEDED one for that reason, just that I wouldn't have to deal with anyone's odd interpretations of TX's hazy transport laws. (I asked about firearms transport laws during a stop for an expired inspection sticker)

Another acquaintance of mine was stopped for speeding on his Ducatti by a couple of Austin motorcycle officers. Between his ride and his HK P7 he got off with a warning. He ended up chatting with the LEO's about bikes and guns for nearly half an hour.

I haven't seen a 30.06 sign in a while either. (TX signage which is required if you don't want CHL carriers in your business. 30.06, gotta love TX!) Those went up a few years ago with the CHL law, and promptly came down as most businesses realized it wasn't doing them any favors. I DO see the occasional handmade "no guns" signs, but I think those are more for the sheeple than anything else. I asked about the sign at an Amy's Ice Cream and it was GONE the next time I visited that location.

Sorry to be touchy, I really enjoy Austin. Having lived in many other states, and several cities in Texas, I can honestly say this is my favorite place in the US. I enjoy the political diversity along with the music, food, parks, etc. </rant>

KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD

[rock jock]

Drizzt,

You're right, this should never have happened in Texas. HankB gave the best advice.

[George Hill]

This was in TEXAS?
:mad:

While I am almost always respectful to law enforcement... I would have asked this fellow to remove himself from the private property unless he could clearly articulate his probable cause as to why he thinks some crime is being commited.

[Mike Irwin]

Had that happen to me a few months ago, too.

I was pulling my cases out of my car when a cop on a motorcycle pulls up and starts peppering me with questions.

Nosy SOB starts peppering me with questions. I finally told him to come inside and see what I had...

Oh, did I mention that he lives in my community, and he's one of my shooting buddies? :D

[El Tejon]

Maybe he just wanted to borrow one?:D

[Drizzt]

Sorry Drannor, but I see the 30.06 signs all over the place here in Austin. Most of the movie theaters, Time-Warner cable, and The Filling Station are just a few examples. I'm afraid that 'Keep Austin Weird' has turned into 'Austin is just plain Whacked' ;)

[DigMe]

The school that I work at (not for) has 30.06 signs posted. I'm tempted to explain that any CHL holder already knows that carrying is illegal in schools but I don't want them turning suspicious eyes at me.

brad cook

[drannor]

Drizzt,

After my repeated dealings with Time Warner I can see why they would post that sign. Customer service? :banghead:

I'll keep my eyes out more than normal for the 30.06 signs. When I do see them, especially in the windows of small or local business, I try to talk to a manager about how it could negatively impact their business. As in, no more of MY business.

[Autolite]

Around these parts, no-one ever asks whether or not you own any guns. The only gun related question folks ask is "Got anything you wanna sell" ... :)

[Drizzt]

DigMe: I could be wrong, and frequently am, but I think they still have to post that sign anyhow. I know the hospitals still have to have them posted, even though you can't carry there anyhow. Of course, every time I go to the hospital or the doctor's office, I feel like I've been mugged anyway...

[P12]

HEH! Tell her about this place. Glad to see another shooter come to the "redneck" town of Lubbock!

confrontation with the local constabulary

Did she get the name of the officer? I know a bunch of them. Was it a city cop or a city constable?

Doesn't suprise me at all that some "Tech" students called her in. There are some real putzs at that school. I have to deal with them a lot. Talk about spoiled brats and bratettes.:fire:

But, tell her that most of the cops here in Lubbock are pretty cool about guns.

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I guess the Californiodoans have discovered Texas Tech has better tuition prices and are sending thier nannyized kids there now. I'm certainly surprised that a 'little farm boy college' has students like that. Used to be that the primary sport there was shooting prairie dogs. Going 10 for 10 was good for extra credit on your GPA.

That makes it sound like Berkley in the Panhandle. I agree with Hank B. also; I'd have invited him to leave unless he could show good cause. Even then, I bet his supervisor would get all cranked off if he came dragging me in for having perfectly legal posessions on my own property under my own control. Come inside and look? Absolutely not. You want to look inside someone's residence, go hassle the sk8tr kids with the funny looking 5 frilled leaves on their t-shirts who are pointing and giggling behind the blinds in the place across the street who placed the call in the first place.

end of rant.

BTW, the clinic my father has just started going to has big 30.06 signs all over each entrance to the facility. Every hospital I've been around lately in the state has them as well.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[campergeek]

Does your friend know which of her neighbors it was who called the police? This sounds like a possible opportunity for her and/or her husband to meet the neighbors, explain (politely and non-threateningly) that they understand that seeing them carry in the firearms may have caused some concern, and see if the "concerned citizens" would like to go to the range sometime to learn a little more about the guns and target shooting. Perhaps these frightened students could be converted into gun advocates!

[nemesis]

Drizzt said..........
I know the hospitals still have to have them posted, even though you can't carry there anyhow.

Weyull........I wuz in the hospital the other day to see my poor sick friend Ray and I had to spend a few minutes at my truck, dumping out pistols, magazines, knives and all the other day to day necessities.

I got up to his room and complained about having to "get naked" to come in there but Gene was already there and Gene is a nurse at another hospital. He just patted his hip and said "why bother, they're not posted". Well, I checked on the way out and he's right. There's nothing posted.

I've been back several times since and don't bother unloading in the parking lot. There's probably more guns visiting in that one room than there is in the whole hospital.

Don't mess with Texas.

[DigMe]

DigMe: I could be wrong, and frequently am, but I think they still have to post that sign anyhow. I know the hospitals still have to have them posted, even though you can't carry there anyhow. Of course, every time I go to the hospital or the doctor's office, I feel like I've been mugged anyway...

Hospitals aren't one of the places that are off-limits by Texas law.


Title 10 Chpt. 46 § 46.03

A place of business that derives 51% or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption

on premises of a correctional facility

on the premises where a high school, collegiate or professional sporting event of interscholastic event is taking place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used in the event

at a meeting of a governmental entity (meetings or buildings), but according to Sec.46.035.i of the TX code, meetings of government entities have to post the 30.06 sign if they want to ban carry

physical premises of a school or educational institution;

premises of a polling place

racetrack; secured area of an airport

courtroom

Public or private premises conspicuously posted with
this sign (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/chlssign.htm)



So you can get arrested for walking into an unposted school but not for walking into an unposted hospital (unless it's a gov't hospital such as on an army base or a VA hospital).

brad cook

[geojap]

I live outside Austin in Elgin, and I have never had a problem in Austin or where I live out in the country.

I know we get our feathers ruffled whenever someone questions our legal use or posession of firearms, but you need to remember that the policeman had a responsibility to answer a call from a citizen (even if it was a call from someone who shouldn't have made the call in the first place). Even if nothing was going on, he has a duty to respond and determine if a law has been broken. He asked questions that he needed to, like "are these stolen, do you own them", etc. He has a job to do.

On the flip side, like SaxonPig said, we have rights. If the officer doesn't have any evidence that a crime has been committed, then he can't search your home. Get a warrant. I wouldn't have let him in. I would have explained the situation and asked if he had any further business, and if not, to have a good day.

I don't see that the cop abused his authority. The homeowner let him in.


I once had a situation with the Austin PD. I don't think they were out of line, and things worked out as they should. When I was in college about 4 years ago, I went skeet shooting one Saturday. I took my shotgun home afterwards, and set it against my bedroom wall to clean on Sunday. We started BBQing and drinking at my place, and that evening some of my friends set off 2 or 3 firecrackers out in the front yard. The neighbors called the police saying they heard gunshots. The police arrived and started asking my friends questions. They went mum. I was inside during the whole situation (firecrackers and everything), and went outside to see what was going on. The police asked if I owned any firearms. I said yes. They asked if any had been fired. I said yes, and explained that I had been shooting skeet earlier in the day. They asked if they could see the shotgun. I said yes, they checked the firearm, could smell gunpowder but could tell it wasn't hot. They were in the house for about 5 minutes. They then left and I didn't offer any further explanation about the firecrackers. I then immediately went outside and ripped my friends very severely for being so stupid about the firecrackers, and for not fessing up about the firecrackers to the police so as to save me from having cops in my house. Dambasses. I did let them in my house because a law had been broken (no firecrackers in city limits) and I wanted them to know I had not fired one of my guns outside.

But the cops were not out-of-line during my situation. They had a duty to check out a call, and they didn't abuse their power. I have found Austin PD to be very reasonable in my dealings with them, but I know they are not always perfect.

[Pilgrim]

Lubbock, TX. IRC, Lubbock PD is the department that ended up shooting one of their own, riddling a house with several hundred rounds, and charging the resident with the murder of the officer. Later, forensics proved the resident never fired a shot. It took well over a week to figure out the department sniper shot the officer.

Pilgrim

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

You're correct, Pilgrim. I think it was longer than that before culpability was established, though. The LEO might have thought that the civilian he was interrogating in this original case mentioned might have something better than the PD had that might be worth 'requisitioning' if a case for seizure could be made.

Sorry, my tinfoil hat was calling me.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[Pilgrim]

I believe they knew in a week, but didn't go public with it for many more weeks because of legal constraints and everyone and his brothers were retaining attorneys.

Pilgrim

[280PLUS]

i heard elsewhere on the board that there are only 266,000 (or something like that) registered gun owners in the entire state of texas.

how can this be?

what is the total population of texas?

seeing how we northern folks (or at least this one does) think EVERYBODY in texas carries a gun, what accounts for this low number.

a lot of unregistered carriers?

or do most have long guns as opposed to handguns?

in conn last i heard there were 400,000 which represents about 4% of the population.

i cant believe there are more gun owners in this puny state.

so what gives?

:confused:

:D

[geojap]

There are about 17 million Texas residents.

I have a lot of friends who live around the country and have HUGE misconceptions about Texas. Like the Highway Troopers are like Nazi torture experts, we ride horses, everyone owns an oil well, we all live on ranches, the people are all right-wing, ignorant hicks, yadda yadda yadda.

For me personally, that's fine if people have misconceptions about TX. Their ignorance may keep more out-of-staters from moving here. All the damn Californians and Rust-belters (Ohio, Indiana, etc) who are moving here know NOTHING about Texas and our culture, like Bob Wills, Don Walser, Tex-Mex, Willie, Waylon, Stevie, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept, Bluebonnets, the Hill Country, Friday Night Lights, Guadalupe/Llano/Colorado Rivers, firearms/hunting, REAL BBQ - not some half-assed attempt at fire+meat, etc. I wish they would stay home. If you want to live in a place like California, then go back there.

A lot of people have a CHL here, but most people just go about their business and don't concern themselves with it. Although almost everyone that I know here owns firearms, none of them have a CHL. A few are considering it. I will get mine soon. But we have only had a CHL program for a few years now, so maybe that explains the relatively low numbers.

Also, in Texas I can legally carry a handgun when I'm travelling, which is when I feel that I need it the most, when I'm going to Houston, Dallas or San Antonio. Since I can already carry in my time of need, that may have contributed to my tardiness in obtaining a CHL.

I think there are many people who are unregistered carriers here. There are a few other loopholes in the laws for carrying a handgun. You can legally carry a longarm in your car, loaded or not, at any time. You just can't bring it within 1000 feet of a school, prison, etc. Some people carry long guns in their cars here, but it's a little rare. Everyone that I know who has firearms have both pistols and long guns.

I don't think your interpretation of those statistics to mean there are more gun owners in Connecticut is valid. I would guess that 75%-90% of households in Texas have firearms. My 80 year old granddad has a loaded AR-15 next to his bed. And he needs it in his neighborhood in Baytown. Who knows how many firearms there are in Texas and how many owners there are, but I would guess 10 million people in Texas own firearms, and there are probably 30 to 60 million firearms here.

Also, I wouldn't rely on statistics that are learned from hearsay. That isn't a very good authority. Does anyone know for sure what the #'s are?

[DigMe]

i heard elsewhere on the board that there are only 266,000 (or something like that) registered gun owners in the entire state of texas.

There is no such thing as a "registered gun owner" in Texas. Texas does NOT register guns or their owners. The number that you are quoting is closer to the amount of CHL holders in Texas. That number is growing daily...we've had CHL for about 8 years and recently it seems to be getting a lot more popularity.

Certainly the number of gun owners here is in the millions. Maybe I can dig up some gun ownership stats for TX. We'll see. I don't know many families that don't have a gun in the house.

It wouldn't surprise me if the number of gun owners in Texas is greater than the entire population of Connecticut. :)

brad cook

[TexasVet]

I don't know many families that don't have a gun in the house.
That started me thinking and I don't think I know ANYONE around here that doesn't have AT LEAST one pistol, one rifle and one shotgun in the house!

[bfason]

I did let them in my house because a law had been broken (no firecrackers in city limits) and

Customer walks into store. "Hey, you got any firecrackers for sale?"

Owner of store: "Nope, firecrackers are illegal inside the city limits."

Customer: "What?! No way! I want something that pops!"

Owner: "Here you go.
Here's something that pops." (http://tinyurl.com/diko)

[280PLUS]

:D

i just found out ak's are not allowed in conn, but if they lift the ban...

thanx for the input

i see the misstatement i made, i should have said "CHL" as opposed to registered gun owners

and the fact that the chl law has only been around in texas a few years would certainly account for the low numbers of chl holders.

so there is no misconception going on in terms of "everybody in texas has a gun"

see, what misconceptions??

now, did you say BBQ??

i havent had good BBQ (excepting my own, of course) since i moved back up north, (1984)some good ones have opened over the years but invariably close down within a couple of years:(

up here they think the gas grill was the a gift of the gods to outdoor cooking:barf:

and i havent had any decent mexican food either now that i think of it :(

oh, and thankfully everybody has been moving OUT of connecticut and heading for places like houston and phoenix

far as i'm concerened, you can have em...it a lot roomier here now

:D

[Thumper]

I know this has already been asked, but:

Did she get the name of the officer?

[Drizzt]

oh, I'm sure she got the name of the officer. I was pretty surprised she let him in tobegin with, as she is usually a lot more confrontational than even myself, and rarely passes up the chance to try and get under someone's skin...

[Brad Johnson]

Sorry your friend got hassled by the LPD. I know several officers, and they are all "gun friendly". She might have caught an officer on a bad day (a poor excuse, but it still happens), or the calling party may have given dispatch bad information (hysterical caller) causing the officer to go in with an improper sense of criticality. The latter is a much more plausible situation.

Let your friend know not to let it bother her and that Lubbock is generally one of the most gun friendly cities in Texas. Also, let her know that if she needs anything to give me a call. I would be happy to show her around and to give her info on things to do and places to see. She can reach me 24/7 at 781-8838.

Brad