Gun Order Adopted by Commissioners Court
Posted by commish3 on December 6, 2009
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This entry was posted on December 6, 2009 at 6:39 PM and is filed under Gun Order.
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commish3 said
John Roth’s Comments on Order OR09-08 adopted by
Parker County Commissioners Court on March 6, 2009.
This order passed by a vote of 4-1. County Judge Mark Riley, Precinct 1 Commissioner George Conley, Precinct 2 Commissioner Joe Brinkley, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Webster all voted in favor of this order. I was the only disenting vote.
I believe that everyone who is in favor of Order OR09-08 and responsible gun enthusiasts all agree that gun safety is paramount. This Commissioner’s Court Order does nothing to curtail irresponsible shooting. This order punishes law abiding and safety conscious citizens who enjoy recreational shooting. Responsible shooters are not the problem!
Anyone who discharges firearms in an irresponsible manner should be held accountable. Laws such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code – Section 62.0121. Discharge Of Firearm Across Property Line or the Penal Code, Title 9 – Offenses Against Public Order and Decency – CHAPTER 42. Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses are already on the books.
In my opinion, county commissioners should not attempt to define what size tract of land is considered safe for the discharge of firearms. Irresponsible use of firearms could happen on any size tract of land.
I believe this is a property rights issue. People buy property in the county for many different reasons. Those who do not want firearms to be allowed in a subdivision buy property with deed restrictions prohibiting the discharge of firearms. Those who enjoy target shooting, dove hunting, etc. buy property without firearm restrictions. Deed restrictions and home owner’s association bylaws should be enforced by the HOA or individuals within the subdivision. The law should be enforced by the Sheriff’s Office.
This order only applies to platted subdivisions with lots of 10 acres or less that have met Parker County’s guidelines and have been approved by Commissioner’s Court. Property which was subdivided and not platted prior to the platting regulations which were adopted around 2000 and are less than 10 acres do not fall under this order. Law enforcement not only needs to know the size of the tract, but if it is a “platted” lot in a subdivision. Not only do you need a deputy to write the citation, you need an investigator to figure out if a citation is necessary. This causes way too much demand on a Sheriff’s Office which is already stretched way too thin!
This order has been in effect for nine months and there have been no citations issued. Those who support the order will probably say that no citations mean it’s a big success. If only the legislature would allow Commissioner’s Court to create an order which prohibits the shooting of road signs…
Irresponsible shooters are the problem…they are the ones we should target.
bc71 said
There will be repercussions for passing this kind of restrictive legislation when it cannot be supported by any empirical or statistical evidence of an existing problem. This will be borne out at the polls in the upcoming primary, and we will see how many of the people who voted for this order will be re-elected. I predict that the number will be “0″. Petitions from pro gun advocates were totally ignored by most members of the Court, and that was also a big mistake on their part. We can and will find people to elect that will listen to their constituents.
Jack Cavenah
commish3 said
Thanks for getting and staying involved!
I ran and was elected (and re-elected) as a conservative Republican. I didn’t run as a Republican because it was the popular party in Parker County…I ran as a Republican because my principles are alligned with the Republican Party platform.
In the last election, Parker County voted roughly 75% Republican. This issue hits home as a Republican. I believe in less government and personal responsibility. I was shocked that 80% of our court voted for this order.
bc71 said
With Jim Webster’s decision not to run for reelection, the anti gun crowd lost a major player. (One down, three to go) If Joe Brinkley does the same thing, which he should, Mark Riley may become aware of just how angry this bunch, with the exception of Commissioner Roth, have made the citizens of Parker County.
There should be open debates between the candidatres before the primary, so that we the citizens are more aware of just who we are voting for. Do you know where Mark Riley is from? His “home town” or “home state”? Where he went to school?
Cary McKay is a true Republican Conservative and would be a fine choice for Parker County Judge. Join me in backing this fine young man to represent us in our county government.
Jack Cavenah
Remuda Ranch Estates
commish3 said
Jack-
It is extremely important to support the candidates that mirror your beliefs. I encourage you and everyone to find out as much as you can about the professional background of everyone running for office. My bio is on this blog and I think everyone in office or running for office should make their background as readily available. This should be an interesting campaign season.
crushski said
Judge Riley recieved more than 76% of the votes in a recent online poll by the Weatherford Democrat – roughly the same margin of commissioners that approved the gun ordinance. The beauty of a democracy it that the majority rules. The majority of voters favor the common sense ban on shooting in subdivisions.
jcavenah said
An unofficial newspaper poll is worth as much as a wooden nickle. In spite of the untruths you have managed to have printed in the local newspapers about the overwhelming majority of remuda residents being, and voting against firearms, Judge Riley and his co-horts are serving their last terms. The voters will decide the race, not a newspaper poll. NOTE: The so called meeting is Remuda was in violation of their by-laws, and constituted another invalid meeting, where the decisions made count for naught.
Jack Cavenah
commish3 said
Whether you agree with the gun order or not, there is one extremely important issue that is being overlooked. Judge Riley should have held a public hearing before any order be considered for adoption.
Our court holds public hearings for minor replatting of property. An ad is run in a local paper to notify the public of the time and date of the hearing.
Not only was there no public hearing, but the order was approved on a day that was not a regularly scheduled meeting day. If commissioners court is going to take away the property rights of law abiding citizens, then the County Judge should have insisted on holding a public hearing to allow those citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns and objections before the order was adopted.
Commissioners Court should not make haphazard decisions!
jcavenah said
Seems to be standard operating procedure for Judge Riley to act as dictator, rather than the chair of the Commissioners’ Court, as he should. Making motions and voting on every motion is in direct conflict with Robert’s Rules of Order, which Riley says govern the meetings.
Like the former Citizens’ Comment section, the Roberts’ Rules of Order are an almost forgotten remnant of better days gone bye.
Here’s hoping the “new court” can return to conducting business as it should be conducted.
Jack Cavenah
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