tootall said:
Hi Derek,
I am planning on writing an article comparing Can. and US gun laws, so stuff like that is good to know.
Dean, I'll help you out all I can in that regard. A good place for you to start is getting a copy of the "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide" which is available from the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Office of Enforcement Programs and Services, Firearms Programs Division. (ain't that a mouthful!) In the interim, I can look up and hopefully answer any question you may have. Not all firearm regulations are in the purview of the Federal Government, some are regulated state by state i.e. Concealed carry (CHL), for instance. Further, penalties such as losing a CHL can be applied for violating State laws. Texas enacted the "Your Home is your Castle" doctrine many years ago and is currently extending that doctrine. Here is my recent post to Maple Leaf Up, you may find it of interest.
Just announced in the Dallas Morning news, a new self-defence Bill has unanimously passed both the upper and lower houses of the Texas state legislature and has been presented to the Governor for signing. The Bill makes three major changes to current law:
-It extends the "Your home is your castle" doctrine to anywhere a person "has a right to be."
-You can no longer be sued by the attacker, or their family.
-It creates a "presumption of self-defence" much like the presumption of innocence in all other cases.
Previously, if you used Deadly Force in self-defence outside of your home you could expect charges to be preferred and a lawsuit from the survivor or their family. Law abiding citizens who had used deadly force had been treated much as Rape victims were treated in the past, that somehow you were the Bad Actor or were looking for trouble when the attack occurred, further, you had to show proof that you had "attempted to retreat." No longer. Opponents of the Bill have complained that criminals may take advantage of this Bill to kill rival gang members, but the provisions of the Bill only apply to those who aren't in violation of the law during the act. So, if you are illegally in possesion of a firearm during the shooting, which all Gang-bangers are, you don't receive protection under the new Bill.
After decades of listening to clap-trap from Canadian Justice ministers of how "Canadians don't need fire-arms for self protection, we have the police to protect us.", it's refreshing to live in a part of the world where law abiding citizens can and may defend themselves! God bless Texas! Derek.
