Remember, and be vigilant, with respect

[treadlightly]

The local morning news just ran a story about a school shooting at Texas Southern University. One dead, one wounded. The story was even-handed. It was what it was, a life taken under circumstances that require court proceedings.

Following that story, perhaps without recognizing the link between the event, the inception of CHL privileges, and the evolution of expanding recognition of civil rights such as MPA and the upcoming open and campus carry, the next item was a brief thumbnail of the events in Killeen 24 years ago today.

George Hennard killed 23 unarmed people enjoying Boss' Day at the Killeen Luby's in 1991, about half with single shots to the head.

Wikipedia says there was an anti-crime bill scheduled for a vote in the US House the next day. Chet Edwards, citing constituents who had died, unarmed, curiously dropped his objections to gun control aspects of the anti-crime package. The TSRA and the NRA advocated concealed carry rights for law-abiding Texans. Ann Richards vetoed carry bills, Governor George Bush signed the one we got in '95.

Laws prohibiting unlicensed campus carry (not to mention murder, manslaughter, or assault) weren't a match for a student bent on mayhem at Texas Southern University this week. It wasn't that the laws weren't enough. They clearly covered the bases. Laws aren't barriers, not to a criminal, they are a framework for government to balance unjust acts.

A barrier to mayhem, forgive me for saying, is the muzzle of a gun and that doesn't mean I yearn for gunplay at high noon or for violence to settle anything.

A potential shooter, facing a smiling crowd of happy potential victims with the sure knowledge that some percentage of them have firearms with them and will answer unlawful deadly threat with justified deadly force, is opposed by a real barrier without a defensive shot fired, a warning yelled, or any disturbance to the general peace. The muzzle of a gun does not have to be brought to bear to give peace a chance, and that is the whole point of arming the citizenry.

May our handguns stay dormant, except for practice or sport, and may we never know when they stand silently against marauders. Failing that, may the Almighty steady a sure sight picture when evil strives to destroy us.

[Middle Age Russ]

, wholeheartedly. Well said, Sir.

[Charles L. Cotton]

This is very good, very good indeed! I would like you to publish this on the Texas Firearms Coalition webite and on the Facebook page.

Chas.

[treadlightly]

Gosh! I'm honored! Will PM you, Charles.