General Russel Honore on Gun Control

[tlynn78]

Would it not be reasonable, then, to put at least the same types of restrictions and licensing requirements on guns as we have on motor vehicles? In order to possess and operate a gun of any type, one would:

1. pass a written test on proper operation and use.
2. Show that he/she could operate a gun safely -- not a marksmanship test, but a basic gun safety test.
3. Show that one is physically and mentally capable of operating a gun safely. My son, who has epilepsy, had to wait for a neurologist to sign off that his seizures were controlled by medication, and he must carry a copy of this signature form in any motor vehicle that he operates.

Same or similar requirement/restrictions for guns and autos? We have that now, so are we good?

You do not have to have any license or permit to own a vehicle.
You do not have to have any license or permit to keep a vehicle on your property.
You do not have to have any license or permit to operate a vehicle on your property.

You do have to have a license to operate a vehicle on public property. To obtain that license you have to take a test and prove capable.

To carry a concealed weapon in Texas you have to have a license and to obtain that license you have to take a test and prove capable.

I wish other states would follow Texas's lead on this, then. All I had to do was wait five minutes in a gun shop while the owner carried on a one-sided conversation with a bored civil servant.

And if open-carry is legal without a test, that bothers me a bit. Because the idiots who want to show off are the ones who open carry, and I would think they are much more likely to cause trouble. No data for that, though -- just a feeling.

My brother wants a concealed/carry license. He lives in TN. He was born on Okinawa when my dad was active duty there. He has a "Certificate of Live Birth Abroad of an American Citizen" in lieu of a "Birth Certificate." It's been sufficient over the years to get a US passport, among other things. Apparently, it will not suffice for a C/C in TN. He was told it needs to be a "birth certificate, not a certificate of birth" Shut up, yes he was. Now he needs to produce birth certificates for both my folks, their marriage license, and an affidavit of residency of both my parents in order to get the C/C. wtf? I'm about 99% sure I could make a quick phone call ( I Noah Guy) and get one here in about an hour (mainly because I'd need to drive to where he is to get it), without producing a shred of documentation. He's considering flying out here, as apparently TN and MT have reciprocity.

[Bob Juch]

I wish other states would follow Texas's lead on this, then. All I had to do was wait five minutes in a gun shop while the owner carried on a one-sided conversation with a bored civil servant.

And if open-carry is legal without a test, that bothers me a bit. Because the idiots who want to show off are the ones who open carry, and I would think they are much more likely to cause trouble. No data for that, though -- just a feeling.

I'm on the fence with Open Carry. Specifically for the reason you state above, "idiots who want to show off". But then we should also outlaw Mustang Cobras, Corvettes, Kawasaki Ninjas, etc. because while some or most of those drivers are responsible, many show off and end up killing themselves and others.

My problem with open carry is how do you tell the intent of someone walking around carrying an AR-15 and three Glocks?

[Bob78164]

I wish other states would follow Texas's lead on this, then. All I had to do was wait five minutes in a gun shop while the owner carried on a one-sided conversation with a bored civil servant.

And if open-carry is legal without a test, that bothers me a bit. Because the idiots who want to show off are the ones who open carry, and I would think they are much more likely to cause trouble. No data for that, though -- just a feeling.

I'm on the fence with Open Carry. Specifically for the reason you state above, "idiots who want to show off". But then we should also outlaw Mustang Cobras, Corvettes, Kawasaki Ninjas, etc. because while some or most of those drivers are responsible, many show off and end up killing themselves and others.

My problem with open carry is how do you tell the intent of someone walking around carrying an AR-15 and three Glocks?

I think it becomes fairly easy when the someone takes aim and starts firing. Of course, by then it may be a little late . . . . --Bob

[TheConfessor]

Texas is one if the few states that require qualifying at a firing-range to get a CHL, but in Texas you can open carry without any license (or test).

This is false. Open carry is illegal in Texas. It will become legal on 1/1/2016 (except where prohibited), but only for people who already have a concealed carry license.
http://www.texasgunlaws.org/texas-open-carry.htm

[BackInTex]

[Bob Juch]

Texas is one if the few states that require qualifying at a firing-range to get a CHL, but in Texas you can open carry without any license (or test).

This is false. Open carry is illegal in Texas. It will become legal on 1/1/2016 (except where prohibited), but only for people who already have a concealed carry license.
http://www.texasgunlaws.org/texas-open-carry.htm

Partially false: You can't open carry handguns, just long guns. From the article you quoted:

Q: Can I Open Carry in Texas (in Public)?

A: You can openly carry rifles and shotguns, but not handguns. A CHL is not needed to do this. However, you must do so in a manner not "calculated" to cause alarm; meaning you are carrying the rifle to purposely intimidate or scare people.

If you already have a CHL, why bother with open carry?

[TheConfessor]

There are no Kmarts in Houston. Even I know that!

[Mr Green]

Chicago must have a lot of homicides by candlestick!

[silverscreenselect]

That chart has been going around a long time. So has this post:

http://namelesscynic.blogspot.com/2013/ ... ities.html

Also, the year 2012 was an outlier for Chicago. Homicides dropped considerably in 2013 (and were lower in 2011 as well). Other reasons for the high murder rate in Chicago:

http://thehigherlearning.com/2014/07/08 ... ddle-east/

So, (a) the statistics quoted are fabrications, (b) the year chosen was an outlier, and (c) there's plenty of other differences between the cities.

Like most of the stats conservatives cite (including the "More Guns Less Crime" study), this chart is full of crap.

[smilergrogan]

The phony data in the chart are not even self-consistent. 1806 murders out of 2.7 million population is a 67 per 100K rate, not 38. Conservatives must not be good at arithmetic.

[Bob78164]

The phony data in the chart are not even self-consistent. 1806 murders out of 2.7 million population is a 67 per 100K rate, not 38. Conservatives must not be good at arithmetic.

I think you're being too harsh. Obviously some of the Chicago victims were murdered twice. --Bob

[BackInTex]

The phony data in the chart are not even self-consistent. 1806 murders out of 2.7 million population is a 67 per 100K rate, not 38. Conservatives must not be good at arithmetic.

I think you're being too harsh. Obviously some of the Chicago victims were murdered twice. --Bob

It might be be the going rate for hits. It doesn't really say what the 100K is. Or it could be a temperature adjusted rate.

[silverscreenselect]

The phony data in the chart are not even self-consistent. 1806 murders out of 2.7 million population is a 67 per 100K rate, not 38. Conservatives must not be good at arithmetic.

I think you're being too harsh. Obviously some of the Chicago victims were murdered twice. --Bob

That's to keep them from voting.

[flockofseagulls104]

The phony data in the chart are not even self-consistent. 1806 murders out of 2.7 million population is a 67 per 100K rate, not 38. Conservatives must not be good at arithmetic.

I think you're being too harsh. Obviously some of the Chicago victims were murdered twice. --Bob

That's to keep them from voting.

Who are you kidding? They vote twice.