Calling all Texans! Write Dan Patrick

[springmom]

Today around noon, a guy showed up at Texas State Senator Dan Patrick's Capitol office asking to meet with one of his staff, alone. He was told no. He left, walked out of the Capitol, and shot five rounds from a "small caliber" handgun into the air. DPS troopers apprehended him without incident and no one was hurt.

But Dan Patrick is calling for the installation of metal detectors at every entrance of the state capitol.

Texans are specifically *allowed* to carry in the Capitol under current legislation. This cannot come up as a legislative agenda until next year, since, thank God, we only allow them to get together for 90 days every other year (minimizes the damage they can do to the state.) However, he got all the news media in his office (down here, he wasn't at the capitol) to opine how "everybody" is worried about security and how DPS can't keep everybody safe and "keep track of everybody".

I'd ask all Texans (and everybody else too!) to write Dan Patrick at http://www.patrick.senate.state.tx.us/dist7.htm#Form and encourage him to rethink his Brady-esque response to this. That he was deeply affected by his staffer's apparent close call is totally understandable. That he wants to limit the freedoms of the rest of law abiding Texans because of one dingbat is not.

Springmom

 

[Texas Gun Person]

Sent.

 

[Bullnettles]

Sent. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

SENT

 

[bdickens]

Patrick is a big-time Second Amendment supporter. If I remember correctly, he cosponsored the Parking Lot bill which the Democrats held up causing it to die because they'd rather push to allow illegal aliens to vote than to allow citizens better opportunities to protect themselves.


Somehow I doubt the metal detectors are to keep CHLs out of the capitol. I'm pretty sure that you'll be able to walk up to the DPS Trooper, show him your CHL and he'll let you bypass the metal detectors.

More info is needed.





http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist7/dist7.htm

 

[mec]

I suspect the Dps people guarding the Capitol can provide better security than any metal detector or feel good anti-gun law frightened legislators might force through. In fact, some of the current guards were the original training staff for the Concealed Handgun Licensing Program.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

double' poste'

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Patrick is a big-time Second Amendment supporter. If I remember correctly, he cosponsored the Parking Lot bill which the Democrats held up causing it to die because they'd rather push to allow illegal aliens to vote than to allow citizens better opportunities to protect themselves.
Somehow I doubt the metal detectors are to keep CHLs out of the capitol. I'm pretty sure that you'll be able to walk up to the DPS Trooper, show him your CHL and he'll let you bypass the metal detectors.
More info is needed.
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/se...ist7/dist7.htm

That's the problem, not all DPS troopers are pro CHL.

 

[Army of Don]

I worked at the capitol in 2005. IIRC, my chief of staff told me that metal detectors were installed at the capitol for a short time after 9/11, but they were taken back out when they realized what a pain in the ass they are. I suspect that this will blow over and metal detectors will be temporary if they're even put in.

You can't turn around at the capitol without running into a state trooper. I always felt safe there and would still feel safe after this incident. The troopers responded quickly and courageously, just like they always do. As a public servant, I've learned that accepting the risk of dealing with crazies is just part of public service.

 

[Bliggida]

Davidsdivad

not all DPS troopers are pro CHL.

Not all Peace Officers are pro-CHL, but from my experience it seems that Troopers are properly educated with the numbers, and they rarely seem to have a problem with CHL's to the degree they have a policy not to disarm without a really good reason.
I've also heard of warnings issued instead of a citation for the sole reason of being 'a good Texan'.

 

[mec]

not all DPS troopers ...[/QUOTE

No, they are not but it is amazing to me how many of them are.

 

[rhenriksen]

Msg sent to Dan Patrick - thanks for the reminder & the link. I thought about doing so as soon as I'd read about his comments.

Also, Gov Perry was quoted as saying he didn't want to see the Capitol building turned into 'DFW Airport'. I sent *him* an email, too, thanking him for his stance.

 

[wishin]

Sent on behalf of my daughter in SA.

 

[TexasRifleman]

That's the problem, not all DPS troopers are pro CHL.

Wouldn't really matter if a law was in place specifically exempting CHL's from a metal detector requirement.

Let's make sure we're not jumping the gun on this one calling someone a Brady shill before all the information is known.

In fact we could push Patrick for a law exempting CHL's from restrictions in MANY public places in Texas.

Use this as an opportunity to make progress instead of back up.

I won't be sending him any letters until I have more on this.

Work this right and it could open a lot of doors. Maybe in the end it IS a bad idea, but saying that Patrick is going off in a panic, then sending him emails in a reactionary panic doesn't make much sense. As mentioned, it's a LONG time til they meet again anyway. There is time to work through this carefully.

 

[springmom]

I hardly think that sending him an email is "panicking". And as of yesterday he was indeed planning to send a letter to all the other legislators to enlist support for "reassessing Capitol security". I have heard the man's statement to the press with my own ears. If you'd like, you can find it on any of the Houston news weblinks and can listen yourself. Not sure where the negativity is coming from there, TR.

Springmom

 

[wishin]

Springmom

The response to my e-mail. A form letter I'm sure since I did give them my complete address and phone number. Makes me wonder how much weight is given to e-mails. I'll post back if I receive a return letter response.

Thank you for contacting me via email. I am honored to have received your opinion on this issue of concern to you.

My policy is to respond to every message with a return letter via postal mail. However, if your note lacked a return postal address I will be unable to respond to your correspondence. Should this be the case, I hope you will:

· Re-send your correspondence with a proper postal address, or
· Without an address be aware that your opinion has been noted, but we will be unable to personally respond to you.

This policy affords me the opportunity to identify the letters we receive from constituents and thus properly represent those who reside in Senate District 7.

Your correspondence is very important to me and I look forward to responding to you in a timely manner.

I am most honored to represent you in the Texas Senate.

May God Bless,

[cid:898030020@01022007-1548]

Dan Patrick
Senator ¶ District 7

 

[TexasRifleman]

Not sure where the negativity is coming from there, TR.

Because he's been a pro 2A advocate, and we have not seen an actual proposal of a law change.

"Reassessing Capitol security" is pretty vague to start a letter writing campaign.

I just think that it's wise to wait to see what is proposed before sending off emails, especially with a guy that has traditionally been on our side.

Wait and see what he proposes then if it's bad we can have our say. It just seems a bit early to start with things like

encourage him to rethink his Brady-esque response to this.

And, since he hasn't actually proposed anything yet, how can we claim he is trying to "limit the freedoms of the rest of law abiding Texans"?

There's no negativity here, I'm simply suggesting we wait to see what actually happens before starting a letter writing campaign.

Did he in fact say that he wanted CHL holders to be barred from carrying in the Capitol?

 

[ChefKristian]

On the radio station I listen to on the day of and the day after the shooting here in Austin, there were many negative comments about armed citizens being allowed to carry in the capital... Mainly because of their lack of knowledge, and their anti-gun opinions...

With the Governor's mansion arson incident, and now this shooting at the capital building, I am going to assume that security is going to be stepped up...

 

[rightwingdad]

Dan Patrick Facebook posting

Here is a quote from Dans facebook, as you can see he does not intend on changing the CHL policies.... Take a breath now.

DAN PATRICK: Many comments on today's shooting at the Capitol. I want to keep our Capitol open for easy access to the public. I support allowing CHL holders to carry in the Capitol as they can now. At the same time we have an obligation to protect the employees, the DPS officers, and most importantly the public who visit, as well as legislators. I believe we can create a plan that will accomplish those goals.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Patrick/114833761835

I agree with Texasrifleman in that we need to wait and see what "plan" Dan comes up with before we go off half cocked.

 

[wishin]

I'm simply suggesting we wait to see what actually happens before starting a letter writing campaign.

I see nothing wrong with letting our politicians know where we stand before they make up their minds. It just needs to be done intelligently, politely and tactfully if you want them to listen.

 

[Armybrat]

Maybe more Capitol staffers should become CHLs themselves so most offices are covered year-round.

I was present on the UT campus August 1st, 1966. After Whitman was finally terminated at the end of his killing spree, my roomies & I didn't demand more security for the students.

 

[rightwingdad]

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security"
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Not sure if this fits here but its one of my favorite quotes..

 

[Fremmer]

Hi Springmom! Good to hear from you!

 

[springmom]

Thanks, Fremmer. Life is busy and I don't get here often, but it was worth posting this.

As an afterword: if any of you are on Facebook and are "fans" of his, Dan Patrick took an enormous amount of heat for his initial statements. He seemed to be pretty strong on them until he just kept getting more and more opposition. If he truly has dropped the idea (last I heard he was writing a letter to every legislator) that's great. God knows the 2A community is an awful big part of his base, and it'd be goofy to annoy us overmuch.

I'd be a tad cautious about describing him as totally pro-2A. He was quite proud of his opposition to the CHL on campus bill. Too dangerous to have those people on college campuses, dontcha know. That doesn't seem too pro-2A to me. However, he's been a good legislator overall. It'll be interesting to see what he does hence.

To those who did write, thanks.

Springmom

 

[TexasRifleman]

I'd be a tad cautious about describing him as totally pro-2A.

That's really not what matters here. He didn't do anything "anti" or "Bradyish".

Article in the Austin paper:

"Whatever new measures we may adopt, I would not want to stop law-abiding CHL holders from carrying their guns in the Capitol," he stated in the letter. "The goal is to stop those who bring illegal weapons into the Capitol, not those who have a legal right to do so."

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/scanners-coming-to-capitol-201146.html

Some pieces:

Reached by phone Thursday, Patrick said Texans with concealed-handgun licenses might "put their gun in a tray, go through the detector, pick it up and go," or perhaps they could show their state-issued license and walk around security-screening devices.

Reporter asked:

Why not make the Capitol a gun-free zone altogether, like schools and businesses?

"If you continue to restrict more and more places where CHL holders can carry their weapons, you're tearing away at the intent of the legislation that established this program," Patrick said.

Patrick has a CHL as well.


So, yes, send him a letter. But send him a letter thanking him for remembering the intent of the CHL program and for making sure we keep our "right" (not really a right if there is a permit, but thats another conversation) to carry in the Capitol.