This morning, I was quite surprised to read that the NRA and the ACLU have partnered together with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition to protect the rights of motorists ("travelers") to pack heat in Texas (story here). Stranger bedfellows there have been, but not often: I didn't think I'd ever see the day when the beloved ACLU would join hands with the equally beloved NRA and make a stand for our second-amendment rights.
It all began in Texas, where certain Prosecutors and police supervisors have begun ordering police to arrest motorists carrying unlicensed handguns, in direct violation of a long-standing Texas statute that lets travelers carry unlicensed firearms for protection. The Texas legislature removed from the law any rules that would bar a traveler from carrying a gun in 1997, but for some reason the prosecutors and police have seen fit to overlook this in order to arrest and fine motorists, usually impounding their car and confiscating their guns.
The NRA and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC) are pretty upset about this, as you can imagine. Not only are police and prosecutors abusing their powers of discretion, but they are violating Texas law and the second amendment of our constitution. The big surprise to me is that the ACLU has joined in.
ACLU's stated concerns are that the police in certain districts in Texas have been developing a profile to use when searching for motorists carrying guns. It has been humorously nicknamed the "bubba profile." Since ACLU opposes profiling people on the basis that it propagates discriminatory stereotypes, this is a perfect way for them to mend fences with the Gun People. In addition to having an anti-profiling stance together, ACLU, NRA and the TCJC all are also worried that the government might be using the Bubba Profile to violate fourth-amendment protections from unreasonable search and seizure.
My opinion? I am glad that ACLU has finally stepped up to the plate and begun helping to protect second-amendment gun ownership rights as well as first-amendment free speech rights. I think that this could be the beginning of something great: a way to bridge the gap between right and left, and a way for the Gun People and the Civil Rights people to see eye-to-eye, at least for a little while.
What do you think?
I don't understand why the laws were changed or whatnot to allow motorists to carry unlicensed weapons, seems like bad policy to me, but I can't help but wonder what the police are thinking and why they've been allowed to get away with it thus far.
I imagine, however, that the ACLU and NRA joining together on something like this will give people pause. Those deadset against the ACLU who adore the NRA might just have to rethink their position and those deadset against the NRA who adore the ACLU, likewise. Will be interesting to see if anything develops from the relationship... perhaps people in certain corners will discover that GASP the ACLU isn't the monster they thought and likewise for the NRA...
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss
"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the warm rays of the sun fall upon your home."
It isn't so much that the laws were changed to allow people to carry unlicensed firearms; there was a long-standing tradition that it was allowed, and the legislature just wrote it as law in 1997.
Hopefully, people will realize that despite the crazies on both sides, NRA and ACLU aren't 100% bad.
(if you can't see the fnords they won't eat you)
Ah I suppose that makes a little more sense, even though it does still sound like a "here's your sign" moment waiting to happen! But, that's just me!
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss
"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the warm rays of the sun fall upon your home."