Posted 6/05/2006 05:03:00 PM by Douglas

This story needs no introduction, so I shan't even try.

Gun-toting Texans can relax about one concern this hurricane season: The state has no plans to disarm residents in the wake of a big storm.

A questioner got big applause at Brazoria County's hurricane preparedness conference Thursday when he asked whether law enforcement agencies were going to demand that private citizens surrender their firearms after a storm.

Honestly, I can't believe the question was even asked. Taking guns away from Texans? How many people died during Hurricane Rita because pets weren't accepted at shelters, and they think Houstonians are going to leave their guns behind? Give me a break.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Randy Jones said taking firearms from citizens has never been part of a state plan.

He recalled going to Bridge City after that town was slammed by Hurricane Rita in September and seeing a homemade sign that read, "You loot, we shoot."

Residents conducted armed patrols to make sure that homes and businesses were secure, he said. State troopers going into the damaged area assisted the patrols, rather than stopping them.

Damn straight. Who can police a community better than the community? But for the obvious statement of the year, you gotta hang around for this one:

"The locals know much better who belongs in their neighborhoods than a DPS trooper who may be from as far away as Lubbock," Jones said. "If you're guarding your neighbor's home with a shotgun, nobody is going to bother you.

I don't care where the guy is from, the guy with the shotgun is always right. Unless it's your TV. Then, return fire.

Also, Texas law says you can carry your gun in your car pretty much any damn time you feel like it, so why should that be any different during a hurricane?