Yes. That's one of our stupider weapons laws. It's right up there with outlawing street carry of Bowie Knives, and prohibiting handgun purchases outside the contiguous states - NM, OK, LA, and AR. We Texans can buy a long gun anywhere in the country, but we have to be close to home to buy handguns. I think. That one may have changed while I wasn't looking. I believe it's left over from the Reconstruction Period, and stems from the fact that our State Constitution treats RKBA like this: "Sec. 23. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
With the State Constitution's RKBA provision written this way, the sky's the limit on stupid. If Texas were ever to strike out on her own again, the first order of business might well be an long, painful, controversial overhaul of our Constitution, which has more than 300 amendments so far.
I was at the range on Saturday and overheard a sales clerk explaining car carry to a potential customer and the fact that it was made legal after lawmakers realized that people would be attacked and robbed in their cars. It occurred to me afterward that if our working assumption had been self-defense and self-ownership, instead of 'the view to prevent crime', we wouldn't need all these legal band-aids.
I love Texas, but I would dearly love to go at our weapons laws with a chainsaw.
That's good!
ReplyDeleteLet's go.:)
DeleteI live in Texas. If anyone thinks Texas is a super duper pro RKBA state, they obviously don't live in Texas.
ReplyDeleteI'll take "I Wish It Were True" for a thousand, Alex...
ReplyDeleteStrange that they don't allow open carry.
DeleteYes. That's one of our stupider weapons laws. It's right up there with outlawing street carry of Bowie Knives, and prohibiting handgun purchases outside the contiguous states - NM, OK, LA, and AR. We Texans can buy a long gun anywhere in the country, but we have to be close to home to buy handguns. I think. That one may have changed while I wasn't looking. I believe it's left over from the Reconstruction Period, and stems from the fact that our State Constitution treats RKBA like this:
ReplyDelete"Sec. 23. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. Every citizen shall
have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of
himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law,
to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
With the State Constitution's RKBA provision written this way, the sky's the limit on stupid. If Texas were ever to strike out on her own again, the first order of business might well be an long, painful, controversial overhaul of our Constitution, which has more than 300 amendments so far.
I was at the range on Saturday and overheard a sales clerk explaining car carry to a potential customer and the fact that it was made legal after lawmakers realized that people would be attacked and robbed in their cars. It occurred to me afterward that if our working assumption had been self-defense and self-ownership, instead of 'the view to prevent crime', we wouldn't need all these legal band-aids.
I love Texas, but I would dearly love to go at our weapons laws with a chainsaw.
:). I only CCW anyway.
DeleteThat sign isn't on the Tex-Mex border, is it? For some reason, I don't think it would be a very good idea.
ReplyDelete:) At least make them pay double......!
Delete