This past Sunday I was leisurely reading the Sunday Amarillo Globe-News — as is my habit — when I came close to choking on my Cheerios. A state senator from San Antonio viewed the annual sales-tax holiday, designed to help families save a little money on back-to-school clothing and supplies, and wants to extend it to “hunters” who need handguns, shotguns and ammunition for their annual hunting trips.
What do firearms and ammunition have to do with education and preparing to return to the classrooms after summer break? Schools are firearms-free zones but every year there are reports of students bringing guns on campus. And Wentworth wants to make it less expensive for people to buy handguns.
The money spent on weapons could easily go toward school supplies.School supplies are necessities to help children get a jump start on the school year. Those who don’t have supplies start the year behind and have to work harder just to catch up. Some never do.Wentworth said he’s in favor of a tax-free weekend for hunters buying handguns.
C’mon, who really hunts with handguns and what do they hunt with them?Amarillo Police said the city has between 500 and 700 active gang members, with an average age of 18. How many are parents and how many are responsible to lock up their weapons — primarily handguns — to keep them away from their children? Another question that comes to mind is: How many children of gang members are gang members themselves and how many have handguns of their very own so they don’t always have to ask Dad to borrow his 9mm before heading out to the streets?
Amarillo Police Department spokesman Cpl. Jerry Neufeld said they’ve come across second-generation and even third-generation gang members.“They were raised in the gang environment and are raising their children in that same environment,” Neufeld said.Wentworth will argue his bill is to help out hunters.
If he really believes that, he needs to go out and buy a flashlight, which isn’t tax-exempt, because it’s awfully dark where his head is at.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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2 comments:
Thanks for blogging about this, Mr. Beck. In an area where guns and God (in that order) are seemingly intertwined into one big sacred cow, it takes chutzpah to write about either issue.
Well Bruce, I am a hunter and I use handguns for hunting. Rabbits, skunks, snakes, and even wild hogs. I have even shot ducks and geese with a 22 pistol. People are going to buy guns no matter how much the cost. People that buy guns from retail stores have to go through back ground checks. Not real sure if you are aware of that.
If you are concerned about the school supplies then you should write a piece trying to get school supplies tax free. The current tax free weekend does not allow us to buy all of the school supplies tax free. It gives everyone a chance to buy crap they really don't have to have. You know, new clothing for you and wife.
I don't think we need a tax free weekend for ammo and weapons but anytime someone wants give me a tax break. I will take it. I will buy my yearly supply on that day.
I spend a lot of money every year on ammo for hunting and target shooting. I would save a pretty good amount of money. Might save enough to buy you that flashlight you need.
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