Heller from Texas

Thought you folks might be interested in Heller reactions from Texas.

From the Star Telegram:

By Anna M. Tinsley

For Texas, highest court's gun ruling may be far-reaching

Suzanna Gratia Hupp believes that Texas lawmakers may try to expand gun rights next year, in light of Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling.

Hupp, a former state representative whose parents were among the Killeen Luby’s massacre victims in 1991, has heard suggestions ranging from "open carry," which would allow people to tote unconcealed handguns, to a plan she once proposed allowing legally concealed weapons to be carried on college campuses.

"In this state, they are very likely to try to broaden Texans’ ability to protect themselves," she said. "I would support that. I’ve wanted to have more of a Vermont-style carry here.

"There, if you are of age, and can legally own a gun, you have the right to carry it anywhere, anytime. I have no reason to think Texans are less educated or more violent prone . . . than people in Vermont."

Suzanna Hupp is a true Texas treasure.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who as a senator led the effort to pass Texas’ concealed handgun law, hailed the ruling.

"Today is a great day for every American, a great day for the Constitution and a great day for the Bill of Rights," he said. "This decision affirms an inviolate right our Founding Fathers were wise enough to recognize in our Bill of rights."

The anti's were allowed their say in this article, but it is our day and I will not be quoting them here.

A couple quotes from our Senators...

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas — who has opposed the Washington, D.C., gun ban since she moved to Washington in 1993 and had to return her .357-caliber Magnum revolver to Texas because of the ban — also filed a friend-of-the-court brief, saying the Second Amendment is an individual right.

After the ruling, she said she was pleased to be "part of this historic decision."

"From this day forward, the people of our country will have the right in any jurisdiction of America to protect themselves and their families in their homes, and that was our goal," Hutchison said.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who was among those to sign the brief, said the ruling was the right thing to do.

"Texans have always cherished the Second Amendment right," he said.

...and other Texans.

It’s interesting that the court finds implicit in the Second Amendment is the right to self-defense. Every Texan has a right to defend themselves. How far that will go, I don’t know.  . . . But now it’s a constitutionally enunciated right."

— Bill Mateja, a Dallas attorney and former senior counsel for the U.S. attorney’s office


"Texans have long held that it is a fundamental right of every law-abiding citizen to keep and bear arms. Affirmation from our country’s highest court should unquestionably cement this right for future generations of Texans and Americans."

— Gov. Rick Perry


"The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed what Texans have known for years –the Constitution clearly protects individuals’ right to keep and bear arms. This decision should eliminate any legal threat to Texas’ concealed-carry law and our Castle doctrine."

— Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott


"This decision is a victory for law-abiding Americans who own guns for self-defense or for hunting and recreation and preserves an important thread in America’s history."

— Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst

Almost makes me feel sorry for the antis. Not quite, but almost.