Perry says concealed handgun license should extend 'anywhere'
(CNN) – Amid calls for tighter restrictions on guns following last week's deadly rampage in Connecticut, Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry said at a tea party event Monday that anyone with a concealed handgun license in the Lone Star State should be able to take guns on public property – including schools.
"In the state of Texas, with our concealed handgun license, if you have been duly backgrounded and trained and you are a concealed handgun license carrying individual, you should be able to carry your handgun anywhere in this state," said Perry, who later added a person has the right to prohibit guns on their private property.
Provided they have the proper training and license, teachers should have "access to weapons in their school," Perry said. Individual school districts should be able to determine whether or not to allow firearms on their campuses, he said.
At least one school jurisdiction in Texas already allows teachers to carry guns – the Harrold school district, located 175 miles northwest of Dallas, began allowing its employees to carry guns in 2008, as long as they obtained the necessary license.
On Friday, the district's superintendent David Thweatt said the set-up meant his schools were doing everything they could to protect students.
"Is that 100%? No," Thweatt told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Nothing is 100%. But what we do know is that we've done all we can to protect our children."
The shooting Friday in Connecticut has sparked promises from several federal lawmakers to reintroduce tighter gun control measures, ranging from a reinstatement of a federal ban on assault weapons to banning the sale of high-capacity magazines.
Perry stipulated that lawmakers have a responsibility to "do everything we can to make sure that those types of evils are restricted the best that it can be," but that citizens should be wary of reactive decisions from the federal government.
"One of the things I hope we don't see from our federal government is this knee-jerk reaction from Washington, D.C., when there is an event that occurs that they come in and think they know the answer," Perry said.
On the day of the massacre, Perry requested his state's education commissioner review emergency operation plans in schools, saying it was "essential that we ensure all Texas schools are equipped and ready to carry out a strategic plan to secure the safety of students and staff in the event of a threat such as the one that occurred today."
At the event Monday, Perry also dropped a hint about his political future, including a potential sequel to his failed bid for the 2012 presidential nomination.
The Texas governor said his 2012 run, which ended January, was an "extraordinary experience," and that despite his loss, "I would do it again."
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You can't talk to or fix stupid, just like the wing nut who calls themselves prokilling.
Perhaps it is time for Texas to leave the Union and finally Perry can be President, of Texas. I know most people who live in Texas don't agree with Perry but he was elected. Texans should vote and shoot responsably.
bottom line is some people are crazy. No american citizen should be armed with the kinds of weapons and ammo this kid had. Eventhough they were licensed, doesn't make a difference. He Massacred those poor kids and teachers withing a couple minutes. I'm gonna play what if now. What if and God forbid if a crazy teacher who was allowed to carry this hand gun to school, won't come in and start shooting with their legally allowed weapon. What will they say then? how about police protection on school grounds at all times.
Right Wing Nut Case. Guns do not belong in school. Without them nobody gets shot Period. Guns are like Alcohol to an Alcoholic. No Alcohol then no problems. Perry is a typical rethug with no brain. Guns are needed by Police and in War but have no place in schools. If we have not learned our lesson from Newtown we never will.
To all the gun nuts: If your kid gets caught in the cross fire and killed, you can take satisfaction that you and your beloved NRA helped put a gun in the school that killed your kid. Maybe then you can change you misguided gun nut ideas.
This will cause more deaths than it will prevent. They just won't be all at once.
The discussion and debate should be about mental health and how to treat it. This debate has nothing to do with firearms. If the individual had driven a car through the school bus zone and killed 25 what would the discuss be about? Banning cars? The media loves to attack the firearm sector that they know nothing about.
But Gov. Perry, being the coward he is, won't allow guns in the Texas statehouse. I wonder why .....?
The only way to stop this level of violence is to stop making/ban rapid fire attack gun that allows a person to put 3 to 10 bullets in each and every helpless body of twenty 6 and 7 year old helpless children. Until these weapons are banned, no further discussion is needed or necessary. Every American should hang our heads in shame because as a nation we are all responsible.
Once again Governor Rick Perry follows in the footsteps of another Texas governor, "Open mouth, insert foot."
He wanted to be president...................
let's arm the kids while we are at. I'll be sure to pack a nine in my 6 y/o backpack tomorrow. Jethro (Perry) Bodine is an idiot but sadly he has lots of company. Like all these comments from self taught 2nd amendment scholars boasting unwavering ignorance. The world must be laughing.
And you so call great people would vote for a man like that. I should say women. Women would you vote for a man that would allow guns in schools? If so, I know why America will be like Syria in the near future. Women these are your babies, speak up.
If you want your teachers "armed and dangerous" then I strongly suggest that you home school your kids.
Flappy
Hey RufusD. What if one of the teachers had some assault riffles? Oh wait. One of them did and her son got ahold of it and shot her in the head and killed 6 more adults and 20 school children.
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You need to get your info right before opening your big mouth, the gynman or Mother had no dealings with the school.
You must have to be dumber than a box of rocks to get elected in Texas. If Texas wants to secceed, I personally would be the first to endorse it and even man the forst border checkpoint.
Please tell Governor Perry to take his senrtiments to Newtown. He wouldnt dare!! Is this the way Perry gets to stay in the news? What a shame,. Read your 2nd amendmedment rights. Look at the word" infringement." Now look it up in the dictionary Governor Perrt. I domnt expect you to understand it without help!! Newtown, Cionneticut, and 26 people were infringed upon!!! Think again Governor, this time use informed decison making before ya speak. Its gonna change!!
Uh huh. Teachers with handguns–makes me wanna send my kid right over. Because, you know, we've never had teachers with mental issues make bad decisions. And hey, if there ever is a grand melee open up on the school the teachers can just start shooting, because (at least in the movies) friendly fire never, ever hits the good guys. Right?
Perry is the only one got it right. Politician always pick the first shiny target and start talking about gun control while knowing that it does NOT solve the problem. It's naive to guess who, where, and how they will go crazy. The only way we can counter such terrorist like random attacks that aim at causing maximum body count by 'potentially' having armed people everywhere. We must remove school from criminal's 'easy target list'. Currently as CC permit limits, schools, theaters, hospitals, and restaurants are all easy targets. Most places have armed guards leaving school the popular choice. I am so proud to be a Texan with a sensible governor to lead us.
How did I know before reading this article that this was in Texas. Can't we sell Texas to Mexico already?
Sorry Dudes... no guns on public land, air and water, or any transportation means open to public use unless you are law enforcement officer duly trained and certified.
No exception ,
Additionally, nobody but law enforcement officer are allowed to discharged a weapon at any time, but if duly licensed to do so under controlled circumstances and verification of officials;
WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW PARANOIAC AND FEAR DRIVEN INDIVIDUALS TO LEAD.
The state capitol building and the governor's mansion are owned by the state, which in sense makes them public. Does he want guns to be allowed in those? If a school is a public place, isn't a commercial airplane? At least I would think an airport is.
A teacher in a room with a gun! What could possibly go wrong with this picture? Teachers never have mental issues? Right!
So, you want to arm teachers in schools, thinking that would give you a "fighting chance?" I have some news for you- and for all of those who truly believe that just because you have a gun, you're safe... You CANT watch yourself, your workplace or your family 24/7 and when one of these individuals decides to actually PLAN an event like this out, it's a game of chance. Either you're in the wrong place at the wrong time or you're not. Having the ability to start/ maintain a firefight does nothing.. Look at our soldiers- MORE training than any "Yahoo happy" gun club can ever give you- and these guys get dead every day, despite BEING READY FOR ANYTHING 24/7.
Here's your reality does- BAN assault weapons and large clips which CIVILIANS HAVE NO REASON OWNING and make triple sure you background EVERY person who suddenly thinks a gun is the norm these days.
"Right to bear arms" never meant to include assault weapons.. Heck, what's next? you want a Howitzer or an M1 for Christmas?
OOPS....did my gun go off ?