Minutemen: Houstonians with permits may carry concealed weapons
The Chronicle's Edward Hegstrom reports that the organization that calls itself the Minutemen will not require Houston-area volunteers who have the legal right to carry a concealed weapon under Texas law to refrain from doing so.
Hegstrom phrases it somewhat differently:
The Minutemen will come to Houston bearing arms.
Leaders of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of Texas had earlier said volunteers observing Houston's day laborers in October would carry nothing but video cameras.
But leaders now say those involved in the operations targeting local illegal immigrants will be allowed to carry arms as long as they comply with all federal and state laws.
In fact, those who have a concealed-weapons permit are being offered a discount on joining the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. An Arizona-based organization, the Minutemen started out by patrolling the Arizona-Mexico border in April to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing, but the group has announced it will conduct a variety of operations here this fall.
Greg at Rhymes with Right calls attention to the conclusion of the story:
Houston police are aware that some of the Minutemen will be armed, and officers will make sure that all laws are obeyed, said Lt. Robert Manzo, an HPD spokesman.
That isn't quite right, since it is official HPD policy not to enforce some aspects of federal immigration law.
Expect a Chronicle editorial by Tuesday or Wednesday condemning Texans who work with the Minutemen for even thinking about exercising their right to carry concealed weapons under Texas law.
RELATED COVERAGE: Associated Press.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 08/21/05 08:54 PM | Houston Miscellany | Print | Comments (2)
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