Response to Ann Landers

by David Morris

Originally published on this website October 24, 2000

Ann Landers
C/o Creators Syndicate
5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90045


Dear Ann Landers:

Your advice to Desperate in Dallas was way off base. Desperate was concerned that guns owned by her in-laws might hurt her young children. As Desperate noted, her in-laws have permits for their guns. Since the father-in-law carries his in a pocket, and the mother-in-law carries hers in her purse, we must assume that the licenses referred to are concealed carry (CCW) licenses. The requirement for obtaining these permits follows. All this information can be found at the following web site - http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/faq.htm:

Q: What are the requirements for obtaining a license?

The concealed handgun law sets out a number of qualifications that must be met. Your application packet will list them in detail. For example, you must be a legal resident of Texas and you must be qualified to purchase a handgun under all state and federal laws. A number of factors may disqualify you from obtaining a license, such as: felony convictions and some misdemeanor convictions, including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication, pending criminal charges chemical or alcohol dependency, certain types of psychological diagnoses, protective or restraining orders, defaults on taxes, governmental fees, student loans or child support.

The application packet also will include information about materials you need to return with your application packet. These include: two recent color passport photos, two sets of fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency employee, a copy of your Texas driver license or identification card, and a notification of completion form (TR 100) from a DPS-authorized handgun course.

After receiving completed application packets, the DPS will conduct extensive background checks of juvenile records for the previous 10 years and all adult records.

Q: How much will a concealed handgun license cost?

For most Texans, the license will cost $140. But for senior citizens or indigent Texans, the cost is only $70. For active/honorably retired peace officers or active/retired judicial officers, the cost is $25. For elected felony prosecuting attorneys, fee is waived.

I was unable to find any information regarding the length of the classes, but I do know that Texas has some of the strictest requirements of any of the states that offer CCW permits. Arizona, of which I am a resident, requires 16 hours classroom and range time for the initial permit and 4 hours for permit renewals.

With all the classroom training and actual live action training that CCW holders go through to get their permits, I have no doubt that these in-laws carry their weapons safely.

If this wasn’t enough, you’ve shown that you are anti-gun by making the decision you did without knowing all the facts. Obviously, dad doesn’t feel the same way as mom. What about dad’s feelings? And what about your final remarks – NO GUNS IN YOUR HOUSE – NO WAY, NO HOW, NO FOOLIN’? You took it for granted that there are no other guns in this family's home. Maybe it’s not the guns that mom is worried about, just who has them. Many people, including my wife and myself, raised children without any problems. Our children are now 18 and 21, and were taught gun safety when they were young. They knew what a gun could do, and I never worried about them getting into them.

Guns will be around long after they have been removed from the hands of law-abiding citizens. Laws making it illegal to make, use and sell drugs hasn’t stopped the unlawful from breaking the law. Banning guns from our society will do nothing more than remove them from the hands of the law-abiding. Doing such will leave us helpless. Not only won’t we be able to stop someone from taking our lives or the lives of our families, we won’t be able to save your life either!

Sincerely,


David D. Morris
(address withheld)

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