Review for the Former

My fellow classmate Kim Hernandez, posted an article on her blog PoliTexas, concerning a private businesses’ right to ban concealed weapons on their property. In my previous article I also discussed the same topic, however our views appear to be diametrically opposed. I do not think businesses should be able to ban concealed weapon carry. Texans are legally able to conceal carry with the proper permit. It is not the function for individual business to regulate Texas law. I do not believe that citizens who legally carry concealed weapons should be liable for the possibility of their weapon being stolen out of their locked vehicle, just for the gun ban compliance of a business. However, if a business were to hang a ban sign, I think it should only be a suggestion of the company’s preference; as well as the concealed weapon carrier’s decision whether or not he or she feels comfortable leaving their weapon in their vehicle.

Texas, Not the Modern Wild West

Texas is a far cry from its wild west past of gun wielding and cowboy heroism. During this session of the Texas legislation, two bills have been introduced on the topic of gun concealment.  One bill, House Bill 2405, intends to provide business owners on private property the right to ban concealed weapons. The bill would require business owners who want their businesses gun free, to display a paper sign indicating no weapons, in clear view prior to building entrance.

Firstly, a sign is not going to deter a person with ill will from entering a business with a concealed weapon. As stated by State Representative Poncho Nevarez, “… to keep somebody out if they’ve got a gun, you should be able to do it simply.” That is a preposterous assumption. Persons follow rules out of some form of fear. A simple sign is not going to incite the fear to gain compliance. Businesses would have to establish a security checkpoint, specifically geared to search for concealed weapons.

Secondly, in order to legally carry a concealed weapon, a person must take steps in order to obtain a permit. Legal carriers have taken state mandated training, and are given guidelines on proper concealment.

Another related bill, House Bill 937, intends to allow carrying of concealed weapons on college campuses. University of Texas System Chancellor, William McRaven wrote a letter to legislators voicing his perplexity on the implications if the bill were to pass. He stated, “….will lead to an increase in both accidental shootings and self inflicted injuries.” 

I find this statement to be nonsensical. Students and faculty members legally permitted to carry under the possible new law, would be highly unlikely to engage in any activity in campus or elsewhere, that would lead to accidental shootings or self inflicted injuries. It would be a laughable assumption that a student or faculty member would have their weapon out on campus participating in any John Wayne esque gun slinging.

Furthermore, McRaven expressed, “ If you’re in a heated debate with somebody in the middle of a classroom, and you don’t know whether or not that individual is carrying, how does that inhibit the interaction between students and faculty?”

An extravagant statement by McRaven, statistically classroom heated debates do not by any margin end in injury or death. Faculty and students should be more fearful of individuals that do not have permits to conceal weapons and are harboring bad will.

It seems to be that; laws that prevent the concealment of weapons also violate the second amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. Bottom line, guns do not kill people, people kill people.