I met and talked / listened to the APD Police Chief

[Texas1911]

I am taking a series of classes in the Austin Citizens Police Academy, and last night we got to meet our police chief, Art Acevedo. First off, if you haven't seen him in person he's definitely opinionated and emotional, but in a good way. He's not afraid to speak his mind and crack jokes at the cost of arguably deserving 3rd parties, or even at the cost of the department. Ultimately I left with a much more trusting and at-ease interpretation of him than I originally had.

I understand that he's been tied to increased gun control and some 2nd Amendment drama, but after hearing his side it made the issues look more like traditional wordsmithing and accusations on behalf of some 3rd parties and the media. He's largely a-political, his opinions are more data driven and end result motivated. While I don't necessarily always agree with him, I can definitely see why he so strongly believes in additional background checks. His reasons weren't to keep guns or a type of guns out of the hands of people, but two fold: To limit accessibility by felons and other scumbaggery (my word) via personal transactions, and secondly to protect the seller from civil liability.

The general impression and opinions I've gotten from APD officers is that he's largely cleaned up and fixed our police force. He absolutely hates liars and will fire them on the spot, a point he made very clear, but at the same time, he's going to back the badge if they are truthful and in the right. In fact, APD use of deadly force cases all go to grand jury, even though they don't have to. In that regard he's very big on transparency.

He also told me to tell everyone he's not anti-gun, LOL.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Then tell him to read the Constitution, and then tell you where background checks are mandated.

 

[itchin]

Yeah sure.

 

[txinvestigator]

Very cool to get to do the academy. And meeting some gives you a much more honest insight to them than you otherwise could have.

Your objectivity is a good thing.

PS The Supreme Court has ruled that the 2nd can have reasonable restrictions, I am pretty sure.

 

[Texas1911]

Then tell him to read the Constitution, and then tell you where background checks are mandated.

The police aren't mandated in the Constitution, should we do away with them? What about the rights of blacks and women to vote?

The system protects us just as much as it inhibits us. For every violent criminal that illegally obtains a firearm it's an excuse to distance legitimate gun owners from the criminality. For every whack job that obtains a firearm legally and commits a crime with it, it's an argument that gun control doesn't work.

The best thing the anti-gun lobby could do is remove the background check system.

 

[Texas1911]

Very cool to get to do the academy. And meeting some gives you a much more honest insight to them than you otherwise could have.

Your objectivity is a good thing.

PS The Supreme Court has ruled that the 2nd can have reasonable restrictions, I am pretty sure.

I've learned a lot from the academy. It's a great course and I'm glad that APD offers it.

 

[TexasRedneck]

The best thing the anti-gun lobby could do is remove the background check system.

So.....with all due respect - a little infringement is okay, eh? Who decides where it stops? Because now folks like Acevedo want to EXPAND that to include ALL sales, no matter where. That's where I've become leery of ANY regulation/restriction - they always come up with new and creative reasons why it needs to be expended.....

 

[stdreb27]

The police aren't mandated in the Constitution, should we do away with them? What about the rights of blacks and women to vote?

The system protects us just as much as it inhibits us. For every violent criminal that illegally obtains a firearm it's an excuse to distance legitimate gun owners from the criminality. For every whack job that obtains a firearm legally and commits a crime with it, it's an argument that gun control doesn't work.

The best thing the anti-gun lobby could do is remove the background check system.

I would argue that our founding documents were mis-applied when women and blacks were denied equal rights. That's what you get when you compromise...

 

[TXARGUY]

Sounds like he put on a good enough show for you that he got that wool pulled down nice and snug.

I've never met him so I have to use the words he uses to form my opinion of him. I'm not sure how one could paint his words in a positive light without of course simply chalking it up to joking.

"The universal background check is a first and essential step toward comprehensive reform of gun laws,"

http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/...er-has-lying-extremist-undeveloped-brain.html

I also have to factor in his actions when forming my opinion.

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/end-gun-show-loophole-acevedo-tells-us-house-panel


Austin can do better than Art Acevedo.

 

[1slow01Z71]

Im dissapointed in you Alan, youre a smart guy but you ate up his bs hook, line and sinker. Actions speak louder than words, and his actions (which include words outside his dog and pony show class at the PD) speak to the contrary of what you seem to have taken away from your meeting. Charism isnt a substitute for character, Obama ought to be a shining example of that and Art shares many of that mans attributes.

I really am quiye confused how having a conversation with the man where he basically refutes exactly what he has done is all the sudden ok. I know youve seen the links that TX posted and there is video of him speaking out against guns so I dont understand how the media could spin that. Sounds like you were/are a bit start struck.

 

[Pilgrim]

Meh. Reminds me of the old fable - the Scorpion and the Frog. Guess which is which...

 

[mleroyl]

^ this +1

 

[TXARGUY]

Notice the side Art Acevedo stood on in this article:

http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/04/democrat-council-member-we-will-make-gun-ban-legitimate/

Art Acevedo is actually extremely political. You don't rise to the level of police chief of a city like Austin without being politically motivated.

Don't be fooled by his attempts to not be identified as a member of one party or another. Just look at who he stands with. Look at who his allies are. Then listen to his words. Once you have done that you will find that it is very easy to figure out that he is no friend of the 2nd Amendment.

He can say that he is all he wants but his words, actions and associations say otherwise.

 

[Acera]

I am told that if you meet our president, bho, and he wants to impress you he can be a very likable and charming guy also. Still don't trust the bastard.

 

[kusai]

Didn't it click him, or you should have asked him how does background checks on law abiding citizens keeps the gun away from felons ? :screwy:
And since when did civilians start to be held liable for a criminals actions ? Oh wait he is a libtard right? Logic does not apply
Sent from the black hole

 

[SC-Texas]

He is an anti gun douchebag.

eantbto prove my opinion wrong?

he can easily do it.

 

[oldguy]

Most large city police chiefs are political or they would not be where they are, this one appears to be a progressive to me therefore he would be anti-gun. I once had a friend tell me he went to a Hillary rally and he believe she spoke to him my comment was profession politicians train themselves to do just that and if he believed anything she said seek help. Personally I judge people on what they do not what they say.

 

[MrZ2u]

The police aren't mandated in the Constitution, should we do away with them? What about the rights of blacks and women to vote?

Actually those two things ARE in the Constitution, specifically in the 15th and 19th amendments.


As to Art...pfffttt! He is not to be trusted. He blew smoke up your ass and you bought it...you should feel violated!

He knows that background checks are pretty much useless for their stated purpose...as is registration. He is joined at the hip with Councilman Martinez and they are both no friends to the 2nd.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

The police aren't mandated in the Constitution, should we do away with them? What about the rights of blacks and women to vote?....

Just to nitpick a little here...

Police are a local matter relegated to the states. Its inherent in that any rights and powers not specifically given to the Fed gov and given to the States and People respectively. That is written in the Constitution.

Also, blacks and women are no where specifically denied a right to vote in the Constitution. Local interpretation of the Constitution allowed those laws to stand. Amendments were necessary for emphasis because people weren't following the Constitution. Murder isn't outlawed in the Constitution either; its a state law.

Point being, the local functions of government and the basic universal human rights we want to protect aren't captured in the same document on purpose.

 

[Das Jared]

Alan, you got had bud.

sent from my dishwasher