Thursday, December 13, 2007

Texas House District 97 Special Election Run-off

On Tuesday, December the 18th, there will be an election run-off for an empty seat in the Texas House. District 97 includes the cities of Benbrook, Edgecliff Village and a portion of Fort Worth.

The two candidates are Democrat Dan Barrett and Republican Mark Shelton.

Dan Barrett has received the endorsement of the Star Telegram, the Texas State Teachers Association, the Texas Parent PAC, the United Educators Association, the Texas League of Conservation Voters and the Texas Progressive Alliance.

Mark Shelton has received endorsements from the Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC; the Texas State Rifle Association PAC; the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund; and the Business and Commerce PAC, the political arm of the Texas Association of Business.

Last Sunday I sent an email off to both of these candidates with a couple of questions about past and future Texas firearms legislation. So far I have received one response.

My Questions:
Mr. Shelton/Barrett;

During this past legislative session, several bills were passed and become law that are considered to be pro gun. The largest was the Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground Bill, SB 378. Also to be passed into law were SB 112 that prevents large scale confiscation of firearms and ammunition during a state disaster, HB 991 which protects the privacy of CHL holders and HB 1815, the Motorist Protection Act.

On the other side of the coin, a couple large anti gun bills failed. HB 594 to Close the Gun Show Loophole and HB 595 that would have required a waiting period for handgun purchases.

If you were a member of the previous legislature, which of these bills would you have supported, and which would you have opposed? Could you explain why?

During the next legislative session, bills will be submitted that will attempt to address the issue of employers rights vs the Second Amendment. I am talking about an Employer Parking Lot Bill, one that would allow a citizen to leave their legally owned and carried firearm in their car while at work. HB 992, HB 220 and HB 1037 attempted to address this issue during the past session, but were killed in committee.
Would you support or oppose such a bill?

I appreciate you time.

JR
As Mr. Shelton, the Republican candidate for this important Texas House seat was the only respondent, his is the only reply I can offer.
Dear Mr. JR,

Thank you for contacting me regarding my campaign for District 97 State Representative. I greatly appreciate your interest in our 2nd Amendment rights.

To answer your questions: I would have supported SB 378, SB 112, HB 991, and HB 1815, and I would have opposed HB 594 and HB 595. I would have voted in this way because I feel our 2nd Amendment rights are of the utmost importance. Because of my strong support of our right to keep and bear arms, I was honored to receive an "A" Rating and endorsement from both the NRA Political Victory Fund and the TSRA PAC.

If I am elected state representative, you can count on me to support 2nd Amendment rights issues, such as the right employees have to be able to leave their legally owned firearm in their vehicle while at work.

Thank you, again, for your interest. Please remember Election Day is Tuesday, December 18.

Mark Shelton
Well there you have it. If you are able to vote in this election, and firearms ownership is important to you, then make sure you get out to vote on the 18th.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can have him for a while, but once his term is up, could we borrow him here in Virginia for awhile?

I'll never understand why Republican candidates in Virginia feel that they can simply ignore the questions and concerns of potential constituents and still count on our votes.

Non-responsiveness to the voters is, in my humble opinion, the primary reason that we have so many democrats in office in Virginia. We may disagree with the Dems on many issues, but at least they freaking answer us when we write or call. The Republicans simply ignore us.

Good job on your questions and it sounds like you've got an excellent candidate there.

Fits said...

How strange that the democrat didn't offer a reply. From his list of endorsements it does appear that he couldn't be MORE of a liberal.