Red Flag and Safe Storage hearing - 6/25/18

[dogbone]

There is a hearing scheduled on two important aspects of Gov. Abbott's school safety proposals. The 'red flag' idea has some potentially Orwellian aspects and is a danger to due process. You can take it to the bank the Demanding Mommies will be there to push for it. Will you be there to counter their emotional appeals with logic and reason?

COMMITTEE: Criminal Jurisprudence
TIME & DATE: 10:00 AM, Monday, June 25, 2018
PLACE: E2.014
CHAIR: Rep. Joe Moody

The committee will hear public testimony on the recently issued interim charges:

Review the applicable portions of the state's penal laws and make legislative recommendations regarding whether existing protective order laws are sufficient or could be amended to include 'red flag' or mental health protective orders or whether 'red flag' or mental health protective orders should be independently created to allow law enforcement, a family member, a school employee, or a district attorney to file a petition seeking removal of firearms from a potentially dangerous person and providing for mental health treatment for the potentially dangerous person, while preserving the fundamental rights of the Second Amendment and ensuring due process.

Examine current statutes designed to protect minors from accessing firearms without proper supervision and make recommendations to ensure responsible and safe firearm storage, including enhancing the penalty to a felony when unauthorized access results in death or bodily injury.

 

[busykngt]

Wondering if our TSRA will be there to speak up and speak out against these proposals? Hopefully there will be sufficient ‘push back’ on these proposals to kill ‘em.

Abbott’s proposals were crossing the line concerning infringement on Constitutional Rights and safeguards.
—
June 7, 2018
Dear Fellow Texan:
GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT
Thank you for contacting the Office of the Governor regarding recent roundtable discussions on school safety and security. The governor appreciates the input of his fellow Texans, and we recognize that you have concerns.
However, make no mistake, Governor Abbott is an outspoken supporter of our constitutionally guaranteed right to gun ownership, which was enshrined by our Founding Fathers in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The governor has consistently defended our right to keep and bear arms and will continue to ensure Texans enjoy this right –– a right that is a reflection of the individual liberty we hold dear.
In fact, Governor Abbott is widely recognized as being one of our country’s top leaders for Second Amendment rights. Just take a look at the words of former Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, “I doubt there has ever been a Texas governor with a more pro-gun record than this one...I know the governor will never allow our individual right to keep and bear arms to ever be infringed.” Commissioner Patterson is correct. Governor Abbott has not and will not call for restrictions on your Second Amendment rights. You can read the rest of Commissioner Patterson’s comments here.
While the governor opposes efforts to weaken our Second Amendment, he takes gun crime very seriously. He will carefully consider all strategies consistent with the Second Amendment that can prevent gun crime in schools through responsible criminal justice, mental health and firearm safety policies. And to address your specific firearm-related concerns, please note these proposals modify an existing storage law to protect children and allow the filing of a petition seeking the removal of firearms from a potentially dangerous person only after legal due process is provided and only on a temporary basis. As the governor’s plan states, “...only upon a finding that they pose a significant risk of danger to themselves or others would the court order law enforcement to take possession of firearms,” and, “These protective orders should be for a limited duration, provide for mental health treatment, and have a clear path to the full restoration of rights and return of firearms when the person is no longer a danger.” You can learn more about the governor’s proposals by reading his School and Firearm Safety Action Plan at our office’s website. Information relating to firearm safety can be found beginning on page 31.
POST OFFICE BOX 12428 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 512-463-2000 (VOICE) DIAL 7-1-1 FOR RELAY SERVICES

June 7, 2018 Page 2
If you have not done so already, you may also wish to share your thoughts on the ideas and concerns you expressed in your letter with your state legislators as they prepare for the next legislative session in 2019. You can reach them by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (512) 463- 4630, or you can find their contact information by visiting the Texas Legislature’s website. Rest assured, Governor Abbott will carefully consider any legislation passed by the Legislature and sent to his desk for approval with the aim of making our state and communities safer while not intruding on the Second Amendment.
We appreciate your dedication to this important issue. Governor Abbott understands that gun ownership is one of our fundamental rights, and one that shall not be infringed. And as governor, the safety and security of Texas’ citizens is his top priority. Working together, he knows we can protect both our constitutional rights and our citizens’ safety.
Please let us know if we can assist you in the future. Sincerely,
Dede Keith
Deputy Director
Constituent Communication Division Office of the Governor
DK:bwk

 

[dogbone]

Wondering if our TSRA will be there? Hopefully there will be sufficient ‘push back’ on these proposals to kill ‘em.

Abbott’s proposals were crossing the line concerning infringement on Constitutional Rights.

I certainly hope to see the TSRA there. I didn't see much in the way of pro-2A participation at this past Monday and Tuesday's Senate hearings. That may have been due to the short notice of the hearings and the fact they were scheduled to coincide with the opening of the TX GOP Convention. I was lucky enough to run into three other pro-2A folks at those hearings but it was mighty lonely being surround by the hundred red shirts of the MDA crowd. We need a good crowd of concerned citizens to show up and testify on the 25th.

 

[busykngt]

I suspect the *real* fight over his proposals won’t take place until the legislature meets. And when they get rejected by the legislature, that will leave Abbott smelling like a rose to the general public.

GOV: “Well, we tried!”

(Implied w/o having to say it aloud): “It’s that darn legislature’s fault the anti-gun measures failed).

 

[busykngt]

It will be critical for everyone to contact (call or write) their state legislators - both House and Senate - to voice their opposition to Abbott’s proposals.

If the state legislators don’t hear from their constituents, these new restrictions will become the law of the land!

 

[dogbone]

While I agree the big battles will be fought when the session starts, having some presence at these preliminary skirmishes might cut back on the amount of stupid needing to be beaten down in the session. I'm concerned that an overwhelming show by the other side in these hearings may embolden those looking to restrict our rights. Pulling little weeds is easier than cutting thick brush.

 

[dogbone]

If you haven't made it down to the Capitol to testify and are a little unsure of just how to go about it, these two videos will take some of the mystery out of the process:





Hope to see you there!

 

[Wildcat Diva]

I will definitely call!

 

[dogbone]

What makes the "red flag" scheme so frightening? How about if there's a chance you might lose your firearms because someone didn't like your t-shirt?

https://bearingarms.com/john-d/2018/04/20/woman-scared-of-gun-shirt/

A few days ago in Texas, Troy Johnson took his two daughters to a local park to play. He wore a shirt that said, “I’ll control my guns, you control your kids” with an AR-15 printed next to the quote. An unidentified woman at the park wasn’t amused. More than one park-goer approached Johnson–who was also openly carrying a sidearm, which is legal in Texas–and told him a lady was in the parking lot seething over what she had read. The second man to approach Johnson with his family made a comment that was dripping with common sense; he told him that he was glad there was someone at the park who was capable of protecting everyone. This flies over the head of a leftist, but anyone who is living in the real world understands.

Johnson also learned that the woman called the police on him. He decided to stay and talk to the officers.

Although logic prevailed in this case, the possible consequences of some angry gun hater being upset by a t-shirt, a bumper sticker, a Facebook post, etc. are far too frightening not to do all we can to prevent this idea from becoming law.

 

[dogbone]

Conference call on Friday evening to discuss strategies for Monday's hearing:

**Texas Firearms Freedom Conference Call**
Friday, June 22, at 8pm
Call: (515) 604-9912
Access Code: 140414#

ALL HANDS ON DECK!

Please help us fight the dangerous proposals being discussed by the Texas Legislature -- including the new Red Flag and firearms storage plans.

Join us for a CONFERENCE CALL tomorrow, Friday, to get all the details, learn how to participate in the hearing, and learn what to do even if you can't personally come to Austin. We'll go over talking points so you clearly understand the issues.

**Texas Firearms Freedom Conference Call**
Friday, June 22, at 8pm
Call: (515) 604-9912
Access Code: 140414#

We'll discuss details about the LEGISLATIVE HEARING coming up on Monday, June 25, 10am, at the Texas Capitol in Austin.

Sneak preview (it's not good): https://capitol.texas.gov/…/sche…/html/C2202018062510001.HTM

Please help us spread the word to everyday Texans who care about their firearms freedoms. Like, comment, and SHARE this post!

Thank you for doing all you can to help the cause of liberty!