Radio ad asks Houstonians to arm themselves against evacuees

[Icehouse]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4206277.html

Sept. 22, 2006, 1:47AM
Radio ad asks Houstonians to arm themselves against evacuees


By JUAN A. LOZANO
Associated Press

A radio commercial for a local gun shop advises Houstonians to arm themselves against "Katricians," adding to the growing tension between Houstonians and the Katrina evacuees who have been blamed for a rising crime rate.

Gun shop owner and radio talk-show host Jim Pruett said Thursday he started running the ad a few weeks ago after hearing a local television interview with a Katrina evacuee living in Houston who implied he would have to turn to crime if his government assistance ran out.

"There are many evacuees here who are working," said Pruett, who has owned Jim Pruett's Guns & Ammo in northwest Houston for five years. "They have become Houstonians now. That is fantastic. That is what you are supposed to do. You are not supposed to threaten the place you are working in."

Katrina evacuees are suspects or victims in 59 of Houston's 262 homicides between Jan. 1 and Aug. 26.

Residents in upper middle-class west Houston have blamed evacuees for violent crime rates that have increased almost 14 percent in one district and homicides that have nearly doubled in another.

Earlier this month, the FBI reported that violent crime in Houston jumped 2.4 percent last year, slightly above the national figure of 2.3 percent.

Pruett's radio ad says, "When the 'Katricians' themselves are quoted as saying the crime rate is gonna go up if they don't get more free rent, then it's time to get your concealed-handgun license."

Department of Public Safety statistics show that from January to Sept. 1, the number of concealed-carry permits issued for handguns have risen almost 25 percent in Harris County, which includes Houston. Texas has no other gun registration laws.

Black activists held a community meeting Thursday evening where they blasted negative stereotypes of evacuees created by Pruett's ad, as well as media reports that they believe portray all evacuees as criminals. They also took issue with comments earlier this month by gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman, who attributed a spike in Houston's crime rate to the "crackheads and thugs" who evacuated New Orleans.

But community activist Quanell X said Houstonians and evacuees "can't protect the criminal element around us. Let's talk about hitting the streets and dealing with the criminal problem."

Roshondra Lowe, 29, an evacuee from New Orleans who was among about 30 people attending the meeting, said she doesn't want Houstonians to prejudge displaced residents like herself. Holding printouts of Houston's crime rate from the last few years, Lowe said the statistics showed the city had a problem with crime before evacuees arrived.

"It's a bunch of nonsense. I'm not going to feed into that. It's just ignorance," Lowe said of ads like Pruett's and other negative comments made about evacuees.

A spokesman for Mayor Bill White said that crime overall is down in Houston but there are some areas that were hot spots before the hurricane and continue to be.

"Mr. Pruett has made his career as a shock jock and is using this tactic to sell guns," spokesman Frank Michel said. "The vast majority of evacuees who came here are hard working, law abiding citizens."

Pruett, 62, said while crime in Houston was an issue before Katrina evacuees came to the city, they have contributed to the problem.

"It's a serious crime epidemic, no matter what the mayor says," said Pruett, whose store Web site offers the following advice: "Be polite and courteous, but have a plan to KILL everybody you meet."

As many as 120,000 evacuees remain in Houston since the city welcomed at least 250,000 after Katrina swamped New Orleans last year.

Pruett said gun sales as his store are up 50 percent from last year but he couldn't be certain it was due to concern over evacuees.

Classes his store offers so people can get a concealed handgun license are always full. Pruett said he doesn't think he is profiting from fear in the community about evacuees and crime.

"I'm profiting from people who want to protect themselves. We provide a great service and one that may save people's lives," said Pruett, who added that he has also sold guns to evacuees.

[MadMax]

this probably belongs in D&D.

i can't stand this crap. the racism i'm seeing in my own community is eye-opening...and it's soooooo disappointing to me.

[A-Train]

Controversial or not, it's pure marketing genius by Pruett. I don't see why he has to deny that he's profiting off of fear. People buy guns to shoot two things, animals and people. Everybody that hunts is pretty much set as far as guns go, so he has to market to the the people that want to protect themselves. He used the hurricane perfectly to do that. He's not selling maternity clothes or party favors, he's selling guns.

[Mr. Brightside]

I prefer to use my fists of fury.

[SWTsig]

done and done.

[Jeff]

The Houston Press had a really funny interview/blog entry on this.

http://www.houstonpress.com/blogs/?p=204

<i>Houston Press: How do you tell a Katrician from a –
Jim Pruett: –a good guy? That’s when they’ve got a knife to your throat and they’re going to kill you for your $2.50.

HP: OK…do you have to handle them differently if they’re a Katrician as opposed to a Houstonian?
JP: Absolutely not.

HP: Is there a silver bullet, say, for the Katrician?
JP: No, no.

HP: Can you recognize them physically walking down the street, or is it like pod people where they actually just look totally human?
JP: They look just like anybody else….I’m just saying, no matter what the threat…you need to have that concealed handgun license so you can protect your way of life.

HP: Shouldn’t we just all buy guns, then, to protect ourselves from Katricians or maybe an uppity Floridian?

(From there, we talked about how handgun buyers must pass rigorous background checks, which rules out those goddamn Katricians. But I posited a theory whereby one of those bastards could get their mitts on a heater and wreak all kinds of havoc. I also tried to get into what I call my final solution for the Katrician problem.)

HP: What if a good evacuee buys a gun…and then the next day, they get in a bad mood and they turn into a Katrician? So now you have a Katrician with a concealed weapon. How do you defend yourself against that?
JP: [silence] If they turn bad?

HP: Yeah.
JP: Well, I have a gun. Is that what you’re asking? How would I defend myself against them?

HP: I’m suggesting a situation where a Katrician can have a concealed weapon.
JP: They can’t…That’s a big, strange if….Are you an anti-gunner?

HP: No, I have no opinion either way.
JP: Do you have a concealed handgun license permit? You don’t feel threatened in this modern day of crime and what have you?

HP: Well, I feel a little more threatened now that you put this idea of crazy Katricians running around.
JP: There are crazy all-kinds-of-people running around.

HP: Sounds like zombies to me, frankly.
JP: You need to call the Houston Police Department and get the stats on all of the crime done by –

HP: Do you think there’s a way that maybe if we got them to wear a scarlet ‘K’ or something, or some sort of number, that we could better identify them?
JP: I don’t…

HP: What if they think I’m a Katrician, though – there’s some…sort of, like, Three’s Company mix-up, and they think I’m a Katrician. How do I prove that I’m a Houstonian – be like, ‘Hey, hey, I’m one of you! Don’t shoot!’”
JP: What are you, in some kind of dream world or something? I think…people need to wear a big red dot to identify them as being an employee of the Houston Press. That’s my first thought, talking to you.

HP: We’re thinking about implementing that so we aren’t confused as Katricians. Or as working for the Chronicle.
JP: I’m saying that if your life is threatened, whether it’s by Katricians or anybody else, you should get your concealed handgun license to protect yourself.

HP: OK. But it’s just that that’s not what you said in the ad….You didn’t say ‘protect yourself from any criminal element.’”
JP: Well, I’m saying that now….You don’t have to be an intellectual to figure out what I’m saying.</i>

Brilliant! :D

[MadMax]

three's company mix up! :D

[Ognilecaf]

I say its more regionist than racist..."Katricians" just happen to have a slightly different culture from the region they came. From what has been my expierence anyway and I know around 10-15 personally...You also have to throw in the factor of, most of them have nothing to lose, they have lost everything they ever knew...I would have some of the same comments if the situation was reversed...Wife and kids starve? Or turn to crime for my family's needs....Not saying their arent other alternatives, but for some people this is the most logical/easiest/fastest way....

[Hippieloser]

Ha ha, that blog entry is funny.

I never liked Pruett's radio show; he's a pompous moron. It's been over a year since Katrina. If they're still here, I think they're officially Houstonians now.

[MadMax]

I say its more regionist than racist..."Katricians" just happen to have a slightly different culture from the region they came. From what has been my expierence anyway and I know around 10-15 personally...You also have to throw in the factor of, most of them have nothing to lose, they have lost everything they ever knew...I would have some of the same comments if the situation was reversed...Wife and kids starve? Or turn to crime for my family's needs....Not saying their arent other alternatives, but for some people this is the most logical/easiest/fastest way....

from what i've seen, no one has trouble with white folks from NOLA. they're bitching about black folks. i see racism in this stuff, big time. particularly out on my side of town. it really really really bothers me.

[Sishir Chang]

There are days when its tough being a Houstonian and having to explain to people that we're not a bunch of dumb paranoid gun nuts.

[MadMax]

There are days when its tough being a Houstonian and having to explain to people that we're not a bunch of dumb paranoid gun nuts.

just remind them we were the picture of kindness last year at this time! :)

[Master Baiter]

This thread has been brought to you by ROXRAN and the letter G.

[SamFisher]

JP: They look just like anybody else….I’m just saying, no matter what the threat…you need to have that concealed handgun license so you can protect your way of life.
My way of life happens to include "not walking around with a gun in a state of constant race-based paranoid delusion" - so I'm uncertain what to do.

[Ognilecaf]

from what i've seen, no one has trouble with white folks from NOLA. they're bitching about black folks. i see racism in this stuff, big time. particularly out on my side of town. it really really really bothers me.
Not saying theres not been racisim from this but I was at the astrodome when they brought the evac's in and I may have saw 2 white people out of 10,000.....Are you denying that most evacs from Nola, are noticably different, as far as dress, hair style, and speech are concerned?

[MadMax]

Not saying theres not been racisim from this but I was at the astrodome when they brought the evac's in and I may have saw 2 white people out of 10,000.....Are you denying that most evacs from Nola, are noticably different, as far as dress, hair style, and speech are concerned?

i'm saying that the white folks who hang out only with white folks wouldn't know the difference. they see it as an influx of black folks who are the root of all evil; without whom, houston would be a perfect utopia. that's the reaction i'm seeing. i hear/see/read something new about it every night and it makes me wanna vomit. my wife will tell me little anecdotes of conversations she hears during the day about it in our community...i told her the other night that she needs to tell me those stories as soon as i get home from work, so i have time to digest them BEFORE i lay my head on a pillow to go to sleep. i can not begin to tell you how disappointed i am in the response i've seen.

[Ognilecaf]

i'm saying that the white folks who hang out only with white folks wouldn't know the difference. they see it as an influx of black folks who are the root of all evil; without whom, houston would be a perfect utopia. that's the reaction i'm seeing. i hear/see/read something new about it every night and it makes me wanna vomit. my wife will tell me little anecdotes of conversations she hears during the day about it in our community...i told her the other night that she needs to tell me those stories as soon as i get home from work, so i have time to digest them BEFORE i lay my head on a pillow to go to sleep. i can not begin to tell you how disappointed i am in the response i've seen.
I agree with you, a friend of mines dad is a houston police officer and agrees with some of these racial/regional sentiments as well. Now, my point is that a lot of these people have nothing to live for anymore = the crime..Not because of their race.

[RocketMan Tex]

Not saying theres not been racisim from this but I was at the astrodome when they brought the evac's in and I may have saw 2 white people out of 10,000.....Are you denying that most evacs from Nola, are noticably different, as far as dress, hair style, and speech are concerned?

I worked three straight 12 hour shifts at the Astrodome enrolling Katrina evacuee kids in public school. If you only saw 2 white people out of 10,000 you need to go see an eye doctor.

[Rockets2K]

good lord

and you guys thought all the gun-toting rednecks were on this side of town(the east side)


HAH

so there :p

For the record...I dont hear much about this kind of stuff out here unless it makes the news.

I guess since the evacuees skipped over Baytown/Pasadena area and went right on over to yalls area(which wasnt necessarily the safest area of town anyway) we dont have to try to blame the increased crime on anyone.

and yall thought there were no advantages to living out here. ;)

[Ognilecaf]

I worked three straight 12 hour shifts at the Astrodome enrolling Katrina evacuee kids in public school. If you only saw 2 white people out of 10,000 you need to go see an eye doctor.
Bad estimate to get a point across.....I was NO WHERE near 50/50

[RocketMan Tex]

Bad estimate to get a point across.....I was NO WHERE near 50/50

Didn't say it was 50/50.

For my experience those three days, I would say it was roughly 80% black people, 20% white people.

[Ognilecaf]

Didn't say it was 50/50.

For my experience those three days, I would say it was roughly 80% black people, 20% white people.
Id agree, I might go 10-15% though.....But still....That is a HUGE marginal difference either way

[Ottomaton]

Typical fear mongering BS. Since racism is generally frowned upon in common society, I think in the Freudian super ego people decide that if the can make it about something other than race then it can be acceptable to express their fear and loathing. Classic Freudian Rationalization. (http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/coping/rationalization.htm)

Everybody has some monster lurking in their ego. From college I remember a study that said essentially that everybody has some degree of racist thought, but the people who don't act in a racist way are good at editing their emotional reactions by filtering it with a greater cognitive ideal. I'm not sure if this is 100% true, but I think there is something to this.

People that have some heavy fear of 'Katricians' need to look into their hearts. If there are some nasty skeletons in that closet, that's fine. Nobody is perfect, but they need to accept that there is some sort of personal issue and deal with it. Otherwise they will just continue to 'express' their unacceptable fear through cognitively acceptable outlets like, "They speak different", etc.

The most powerful mundane world thing that Christianity brings to the table is the idea that every man is a sinner. That lets one accept that one has bad characteristics without any sort of pervasive guild mechanism. I think that pride makes otherwise zealous people not want to accept this.

This actually is one of the things about the 'radio talk show conservatives' that bothers me that I haven't been able to express until now. The pervasive idea that liberals are consumed with guilt. I think instead they instead for the most part just accept that everyone and everything is imperfect. They are really expressing the idea that they can't submit to self-examination without being overwhelmed with guilt. But there is no need for that. Pride comes before a fall, and all that. Anyway I ramble...

The most important point is that you should, strike a blow against racist idealogues and buy your guns from me. :)

[MadMax]

Typical fear mongering BS. Since racism is generally frowned upon in common society, I think in the Freudian super ego people decide that if the can make it about something other than race then it can be acceptable to express their fear and loathing. Classic Freudian Rationalization. (http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/coping/rationalization.htm)

Everybody has some monster lurking in their ego. From college I remember a study that said essentially that everybody has some degree of racist thought, but the people who don't act in a racist way are good at editing their emotional reactions by filtering it with a greater cognitive ideal. I'm not sure if this is 100% true, but I think there is something to this.

People that have some heavy fear of 'Katricians' need to look into their hearts. If there are some nasty skeletons in that closet, that's fine. Nobody is perfect, but they need to accept that there is some sort of personal issue and deal with it. Otherwise they will just continue to 'express' their unacceptable fear through cognitively acceptable outlets like, "They speak different", etc.

The most powerful mundane world thing that Christianity brings to the table is the idea that every man is a sinner. That lets one accept that one has bad characteristics without any sort of pervasive guild mechanism. I think that pride makes otherwise zealous people not want to accept this.

This actually is one of the things about the 'radio talk show conservatives' that bothers me that I haven't been able to express until now. The pervasive idea that liberals are consumed with guilt. I think instead they instead for the most part just accept that everyone and everything is imperfect. They are really expressing the idea that they can't submit to self-examination without being overwhelmed with guilt. But there is no need for that. Pride comes before a fall, and all that. Anyway I ramble...

The most important point is that you should, strike a blow against racist idealogues and buy your guns from me. :)

i can't decide if this is:

a. a great post;
b. tricky advertising;
c. both

[Ognilecaf]

Typical fear mongering BS. Since racism is generally frowned upon in common society, I think in the Freudian super ego people decide that if the can make it about something other than race then it can be acceptable to express their fear and loathing.
I could use the same logic in reverse, people wanted to make it about race because that is such a "hot topic"...Not saying its not in some cases, their will always be racists and racist thoughts, but to state my point again...
NOTHING TO LIVE FOR/Unprovidable needs of family = CRIME

[MadMax]

I could use the same logic in reverse, people wanted to make it about race because that is such a "hot topic"...Not saying its not in some cases, their will always be racists and racist thoughts, but to state my point again...
NOTHING TO LIVE FOR/Unprovidable needs of family = CRIME

i have no problem with people having a hard time with criminals, no matter the color of their skin.

i have a huge problem with people painting with a broad stroke everyone who came here from NOLA and emphasizing the fact they're black.

[Ognilecaf]

i have a huge problem with people painting with a broad stroke everyone who came here from NOLA and emphasizing the fact they're black.

Agreed

[Fatty FatBastard]

Agreed

I think it is a fine ad. Marketing at its best.

And I have no plans to ever purchase a gun.

[Ognilecaf]

I think it is a fine ad. Marketing at its best.

And I have no plans to ever purchase a gun.
I'll have to agree with that also, No such thing as bad pub

[Brad]

i have no problem with people having a hard time with criminals, no matter the color of their skin.

i have a huge problem with people painting with a broad stroke everyone who came here from NOLA and emphasizing the fact they're black.


I think people are having the hardest time with the fact that most of these people are BROKE not that they are black. The latest survey I read showed that like 59% of the remaining evacuees were unemployed and 45% lived on less that 500 dollars a month. It's hard to draw a line between the race/ crime issue when the majority of the crime we hear about is being commited by the black evacuees. I'm certain that this is just a reflection of fact that they were the poorest of the group. I do think it is a valid concern to worry about what is going to happen when the money runs out and these people (all evacuees) lose their free housing. Houston had a crime problem pre Katrina but it will just explode if we can't figure out what to do with thousands of poor deperate people besides kick them out to the curb.

[Oski2005]

Does Pruett's gun store and website kind of remind anybody of Ammu-Nation from the Grand Theft Auto games?

[MadMax]

I think people are having the hardest time with the fact that most of these people are BROKE not that they are black. The latest survey I read showed that like 59% of the remaining evacuees were unemployed and 45% lived on less that 500 dollars a month. It's hard to draw a line between the race/ crime issue when the majority of the crime we hear about is being commited by the black evacuees. I'm certain that this is just a reflection of fact that they were the poorest of the group. I do think it is a valid concern to worry about what is going to happen when the money runs out and these people (all evacuees) lose their free housing. Houston had a crime problem pre Katrina but it will just explode if we can't figure out what to do with thousands of poor deperate people besides kick them out to the curb.

certainly part of it. but it's not what i'm hearing, unfortunately.

[Rocket River]

I just hate the Euphemisms
Don't say black . . .say urban . . .or now. . Katrinacians [is that a words?]

Rocket River

[ROXRAN]

I believe in guns, but I'm not 100%...maybe 92% convinced on concealed carry...The bad guys often will hit in groups in many instances.
For example, close to where I live,...4 thugs entered a waffle house all armed, there to rob the customers.

Now if I have my Glock 23, I personally feel I am a good shot and can feel confident against one or two. Now If I were there and engaged all 4, likely at least one of them would be dead, but the situation of 4 means innocent bystanders would get hit...

Then again, there are many instances where the instance of being armed prevents further acts of personal danger by responsible citizens.

BTW, my uncle is a homicide detective in Houston, his view and first hand account is the crime increase from the Katrina implants are very real...

[ROXRAN]

My kind of store... :D

http://www.jimpruett.net/

[Ottomaton]

I think I'm going to report the dude to ASCAP or BMI. Anybody think he payed the licensing fees to use that song in his comercial venture?

[IROC it]

My clips stay loaded with hollow points... in a locked safe... for years now.

So, if someone breaks in my home, I must get up and first find the key, remember the combo, and then slap the clip in the gun... then determine if I'm dead yet... then find the perp, and then consider whether or not they are armed, and if so, do they wish to harm me or my family... then unload at least enough rounds to stop them and not hurt my family...


Outside the house, I'm on the phone about my CHL as we type...

I'm on the outskirts of Dallas, currently the worst crime rate in the US... and it has gone up since Katrina.

[ROXRAN]

I think I'm going to report the dude to ASCAP or BMI. Anybody think he payed the licensing fees to use that song in his comercial venture?

take it easy!...BTW, Did you get my email? Is the 11.5" Bbl SBR hassle worth it and etc.?...

[MadMax]

I'm on the outskirts of Dallas, currently the worst crime rate in the US... and it has gone up since Katrina.

and it was going up before Katrina

[rhino17]

and it was going up before Katrina

Do you honestly not think that the hurricane evacuees have not caused an increase in crime?

[Kam]

does that store have any uzis and machine guns? I prefer those.

I need a few of those. I have some people huntin' to do.

[rhino17]

Do you honestly think that the hurricane evacuees have not caused an increase in crime?

typo, sorry

[Ognilecaf]

Do you honestly not think that the hurricane evacuees have not caused an increase in crime?
He's issue is more on explaining the race side(which is a factor) than the increase in crime caused by the "katricians", even if they may have made just a 1% difference. Was crime already going up..Sure...That doesnt negate the fact that it has gone up more after this and may get a lot worse when all of their funding has been cut....Lets say 20% (i think it will really be higher) of the, we'll make it an even 100,000 evacs that are currently here will have no income to live off of or feed their familes.....So, 20,000 people will have hit rock bottom and they are roaming around your city....That doesnt bother you in the least bit?

[IROC it]

MadMax,

I am white.

A white guy robbed my home when I was in highschool. Some of the stuff was recovered. It was figured by the sheriff (Aldine Mail Route area) that the burglars were in the back of the house when we were coming in the front door... There was also evidence that they were armed at least with crow bars (enough to kill a person with a blow to the head -blunt force trauma).

I have owned a weapon since, for home defense. My dad has too.

I pray I'll never have to use it for the said reason, but it's there...

What does that have to do with anything?

Well, if crime is going up, to me, I am half way to feeling like I'm being responsible enough to persaonlly defend my family.

My Brinks home security system will probably do just fine though.

I'm also a little miffed that anyone would think I'm the least bit racist for stating facts about a crime wave.

Most people I see on TV reported as criminals here in Dallas lately are not any skin color other than my own. And if they are a different skin tone, I don't get out a "tally sheet" and keep records.

If you'll recall, I posted a thread in the hangout last year about the fact that I was burglarized right from my driveway not more than a month after moving into this house. What skin color did they have? Not sure, although I did report the white kids walking the allies to the police later in the week... and the kids' description (matched by the neighbors) fit the descriptions of some kids seen earlier in the week. By kids I mean 18-20ish...

So yes, I know that crime is not only going up since Katrina. It has gone up since Rita as well... since "Alpha" even.

And it will be with us until the end of the age. And I still pray I never personally have to use force to defend against it. But I will if need be.

It's not too unlike the whole abortion debate. "Would you allow your daughter to get an abortion if she'd been raped?" God forbid that would happen... I trust it won't.... and the answer may only be "no" unless the bridge is here to be crossed.

I do not intend on shooting anyone in my home either. But I like the chances of defending myself better if I'm prepared to do so.

This "racism" angle makes little sense to me. Honestly.

Think about it. If someone busts in my house and I see that they are white, do you think I'd be like, "Oh wait, you're white? Proceed." Nope. They are either going to jail with a wound, or without a wound. And if they attack after the warning they'll get a round. If they keep advancing after the first shot to the leg(s), they will get more.

Again. This is a last resort in case of a home invasion scenario.


As for the CHL, you can't really have it (gun) in too many places publically that you might perceive the need for it... so it would most likely stay in the vehicle, and even then probably only on longer trips (which I think is already legal when crossing 3 counties).

Semi off topic: Remember the days in Texas when people drove around with a shotgun in the rear window of the pick-up? Did we have less crime then? ;)
Is that memory racist?

[StupidMoniker]

Think about it. If someone busts in my house and I see that they are white, do you think I'd be like, "Oh wait, you're white? Proceed." Nope. They are either going to jail with a wound, or without a wound. And if they attack after the warning they'll get a round. If they keep advancing after the first shot to the leg(s), they will get more.
This is not a very good plan you've got going here. I suggest if you are going to point a gun at an intruder that you do less than shoot them twice in the chest and once in the head.

[IROC it]

This is not a very good plan you've got going here. I suggest if you are going to point a gun at an intruder that you do less than shoot them twice in the chest and once in the head.

Seriously? Just go for the kill? Again, God forbid I'd have to, but I doubt it would be so simple.

After all, humans are NOT dogs. ;)

[MadMax]

Do you honestly not think that the hurricane evacuees have not caused an increase in crime?

i'm not saying that. here's what i'm saying:

1. crime was going up in Houston before Katrina. underlying everything i'm hearing in Houston is that somehow this was utopia before all of this happened,and if we could just get rid of all these undesirables from NOLA everything would be fine;
2. much of the crime we're seeing in my area of town isn't from Katrina folks, but from people displaced from other communities (I know Alief is one) by Katrina folks;
3. i'm sick to my stomach at how we're painting everyone from NOLA with a broad brush..it's akin to seeing all Muslims as evil because some jackasses hijack planes and ram them into buildings;
4. i've absolutely seen/heard racism behind that. no question about it. not sure what your experience is, but i can tell you beyond doubt it's fueling a ton of the overreaction to this crap out on the west side of town;
5. it is easy to label unknown people when we perceive our security threatened. we demonize and scapegoat. it's a human tendency that should be fought within ourselves.

[MadMax]

MadMax,

I am white.

A white guy robbed my home when I was in highschool. Some of the stuff was recovered. It was figured by the sheriff (Aldine Mail Route area) that the burglars were in the back of the house when we were coming in the front door... There was also evidence that they were armed at least with crow bars (enough to kill a person with a blow to the head -blunt force trauma).

I have owned a weapon since, for home defense. My dad has too.

I pray I'll never have to use it for the said reason, but it's there...

What does that have to do with anything?

Well, if crime is going up, to me, I am half way to feeling like I'm being responsible enough to persaonlly defend my family.

My Brinks home security system will probably do just fine though.

I'm also a little miffed that anyone would think I'm the least bit racist for stating facts about a crime wave.

Most people I see on TV reported as criminals here in Dallas lately are not any skin color other than my own. And if they are a different skin tone, I don't get out a "tally sheet" and keep records.

If you'll recall, I posted a thread in the hangout last year about the fact that I was burglarized right from my driveway not more than a month after moving into this house. What skin color did they have? Not sure, although I did report the white kids walking the allies to the police later in the week... and the kids' description (matched by the neighbors) fit the descriptions of some kids seen earlier in the week. By kids I mean 18-20ish...

So yes, I know that crime is not only going up since Katrina. It has gone up since Rita as well... since "Alpha" even.

And it will be with us until the end of the age. And I still pray I never personally have to use force to defend against it. But I will if need be.

It's not too unlike the whole abortion debate. "Would you allow your daughter to get an abortion if she'd been raped?" God forbid that would happen... I trust it won't.... and the answer may only be "no" unless the bridge is here to be crossed.

I do not intend on shooting anyone in my home either. But I like the chances of defending myself better if I'm prepared to do so.

This "racism" angle makes little sense to me. Honestly.

Think about it. If someone busts in my house and I see that they are white, do you think I'd be like, "Oh wait, you're white? Proceed." Nope. They are either going to jail with a wound, or without a wound. And if they attack after the warning they'll get a round. If they keep advancing after the first shot to the leg(s), they will get more.

Again. This is a last resort in case of a home invasion scenario.


As for the CHL, you can't really have it (gun) in too many places publically that you might perceive the need for it... so it would most likely stay in the vehicle, and even then probably only on longer trips (which I think is already legal when crossing 3 counties).

Semi off topic: Remember the days in Texas when people drove around with a shotgun in the rear window of the pick-up? Did we have less crime then? ;)
Is that memory racist?

i'm sorry, i just have no idea what point you're trying to make here with this post.

[Rocket River]

When you cram 100K of people into yuor city unexpectedly
somethings are going to change
and
not always for the better

Imagine 2 grown people moving into your house
that your don't really know
If your wallet is misplaced. . who do yuo blame
the 4 people in the house u know. . or the 2 strangers?

Rocket River

[Deckard]

Semi off topic: Remember the days in Texas when people drove around with a shotgun in the rear window of the pick-up? Did we have less crime then? ;)
Is that memory racist?

IROC it, I certainly remember those days. Not very many people did that... you noticed it because it was hard not to. Anyone who had a shotgun worth a damn wouldn't leave it where someone could break a window, or get into a door with a coat hanger, unless they were stupid, and it was something I saw more traveling in the country, than in Houston. East Texas? Saw it a lot.

Historically, Houston always had a small police force relative to it's population. A big reason for that was the difficulty getting hired as a Houston police officer. Back when Herman Short, a proud member of the KKK, no joke, was Police Chief (1964-74), he wouldn't hire anyone who didn't fit a "profile" similar to his own... white racist asshole. Yes, there were many fine officers, but they worked in a climate of racism and intolerance promoted by Short and his cronies. Sure, budgets were always a concern, but when the political climate changed, sure enough, the number of police rose. Fancy that.

As for "less crime in the old days," think again. From Wikipedia:

Houston recorded 336 murders in 2005, in comparison to 272 in 2004. According to the Houston Police Department, murders in Houston peaked at 702 back in 1981.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston,_Texas

1958 - Houston is dubbed "Murder town, USA" by Time Magazine for maintaining the highest murder rate in the nation, 15 per 100,000.

http://www.houstonculture.org/resources/houstontime.html


Murder rates fluctuate. During the '90's they dropped dramatically due, in large part, to a booming economy. I would have been surprised if a huge influx of refugees from a national disaster, of any race, and from any city, didn't lead to a spike in crime. In my opinion, it will pass, whether the people from NOLA stay in Houston, or not. Just don't think that Houston was doing wonderfully, in an historical context, prior to the Katrina victims arrival. It was not.



Keep D&D Civil.

[B-ball freak]

Imagine 2 grown people moving into your house
that your don't really know
If your wallet is misplaced. . who do yuo blame
the 4 people in the house u know. . or the 2 strangers?



Easy question - the 4 I know. You think I don't see the looks they've been giving me? They are exactly the type of people that would take my wallet. They are jealous of me and I think they might be on drugs as well.

[IROC it]

i'm sorry, i just have no idea what point you're trying to make here with this post.

Exactly. What point is there in lumping everyone into a "racist undertones/overtones" grouping if we/they/them/whoever says they will now arm themselves.


What was your point?

[Ottomaton]

double post

[Ottomaton]

This is not a very good plan you've got going here. I suggest if you are going to point a gun at an intruder that you do less than shoot them twice in the chest and once in the head.

By the time you point a gun at someone you should be ready and willing to kill them. If you aren't prepared to kill them you shouldn't pull the gun. Trying to wound people sounds like a good idea but most police officers and whatever will tell you that it is a really bad idea.

Shooting someone isn't like the movies where you pop them in the leg and they fall down and give up. Unless you hit a major part of the central nervous system, people will usually try to keep going until they bleed out and pass out.The shock or whatever keeps them going for awhile.

I seem to remember something about that not exactly being the case for high velocity rifle bullets - i.e. one shot causes much more pehripheral tissue damage at the higher velocity - but I'm not sure of that.

[StupidMoniker]

By the time you point a gun at someone you should be ready and willing to kill them. If you aren't prepared to kill them you shouldn't pull the gun. Trying to wound people sounds like a good idea but most police officers and whatever will tell you that it is a really bad idea.

Shooting someone isn't like the movies where you pop them in the leg and they fall down and give up. Unless you hit a major part of the central nervous system, people will usually try to keep going until they bleed out and pass out.The shock or whatever keeps them going for awhile.

I seem to remember something about that not exactly being the case for high velocity rifle bullets - i.e. one shot causes much more pehripheral tissue damage at the higher velocity - but I'm not sure of that.
I agree with you, my post was supposed to say NO LESS, but I accidently left out the no. IROC it understood based on the context though.

[ROXRAN]

I seem to remember something about that not exactly being the case for high velocity rifle bullets - i.e. one shot causes much more pehripheral tissue damage at the higher velocity - but I'm not sure of that.

About the only one to qualify for that is the 5.56 spec M193 or M855 round due to explosive fragmentation...The Russian 5.45 just tumbles with no fragmentation. Fragmentation rules!

[Sishir Chang]

Since everyone is giving self-defense advice here may I recommend taking a reputable self-defense course along with a reputable martial arts training. I certainly think people should be allowed to own guns and am OK with concealed and carry but a gun is not a panacea for personal protection. Anyway I don't need a license to learn how to learn to recognize, avoid and escape dangerous situations and I don't have to worry about my hands and legs being taken away from me and used against me or for the commitment of other crimes.

[Sishir Chang]

This issue also points out the need to make sure that victims of Katrina are given the resources and opportunities to make a new life and not left destitute. Law enforcement and arming yourself are fine and good but this is a situation where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When the economy improves crime tends to drop and this will be the same situation with Katrina evacuees who are destititue. If they have a chance to make a new start and an honest living its less likely that many of them will turn to crime.

[StupidMoniker]

This issue also points out the need to make sure that victims of Katrina are given the resources and opportunities to make a new life and not left destitute. Law enforcement and arming yourself are fine and good but this is a situation where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When the economy improves crime tends to drop and this will be the same situation with Katrina evacuees who are destititue. If they have a chance to make a new start and an honest living its less likely that many of them will turn to crime.
That sounds good in theory, but are 100,000 new jobs created in Houston just because 100,000 refugees show up? It would be easier to absorb the Katrina victims if they were dispersed more evenly around the country. Each state can easily absorb 2,000 people (on average, California can probably absorb more than Rhode Island - for example). It is much harder for a single city to absorb 100,000 all at once.