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The concealed carry of handguns has been legal in Texas for decades and open carry for Texas’ concealed handgun license holders became legal on January 1, 2016.
In the January 17, 2019, ruling, Judge Lora J. Livingston explained that the Plaintiff was able to show that open carry was refused on April 4, 2016, April 6, 2016, April 12, 2016, July 1, 2016, July 29, 2016, and September 7, 2016. Judge Livingston ruled that the Defendants did not prove why City Hall should be treated differently among other public areas in Texas, writing, “Defendants did not meet their burden to establish an exception to Section 411.209(a) on any of the dates” that open carry was refused.
Livingston assessed a $1,500,000 fine for each of the six violations, with the result that the City of Austin owes a total of nine million dollars.
"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. . . Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them."
- Thomas Paine
"Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem."
I don't believe that fine will be paid. Appeal followed by appeal. A stay in the local Graybar Hotel is the only sure way to make politicians mend their unpatriotic ways.
(Man, I'd love to see a $9 million smackdown laid on a big city in Ohio like that, just once.)
Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.
District Court Fines Austin, TX, $9,000 for Refusing Carry of Handguns at City Hall
Opening sentence of article...
On Thursday, the Travis County District Court ruled that the City of Austin, Texas, violated the law by barring handguns in City Hall and assessed a nine million dollar penalty against the city for the violation.
From the body of the article...
Livingston assessed a $1,500 fine for each of the six violations, with the result that the City of Austin owes a total of $9,000.
"The right to keep and bear arms is rooted in both self-defense and insurance against government’s propensity toward tyranny. The right pre-existed the Constitution. Thus, the Second Amendment is not its source. The right to keep and bear arms is natural and inalienable; the Second Amendment protects it, and Congress has no legitimate power to restrict it." - Senator John Cornyn (R., Tex.), as reported in the National Review on July 4, 2016
Well, Austin may pay a nine THOUSAND dollar fine without further appeal. Should have known a judge couldn't legally levy a multi-million dollar penalty, but I took Breitbart at their word. Usually they're better than that.
Now that a precedent has been set, legally armed locals should find time to visit City Hall every day it's open, record being ejected, and start ratcheting up the dollar amounts towards the nine million dollar mark, if Austin doesn't change their ways immediately and for good.
Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.
