Gun activists protest at police headquarters
by Gregg Watson / WEAREAUSTIN.COM
A peaceful protest by more than one-hundred gun activists was held on the steps of the police headquarters Monday.
Participants waved flags and chanted slogans like “come and take it” and “you’re not getting our guns.” They also called the APD “criminals with badges” and the Police Chief “a gun grabbing California commie.”
With U.S. Constitution’s crammed in their gun holsters, Austin protesters said they are sick of local, state and federal officials telling them what they can do with their guns. One Austin protester, John Long said, “That should really worry people whether they are gun owners or not. When state agents can show up and suggest how a business should be run with no legal basis.”
Austin Police Corporal Scott Perry said, “We know they are here. Anybody who wants to protest about something, we allow that.”
Austin talk show host Alex Jones said, “They’re coming in an intimidating property owners and lease holders like HEB to shut it down and make an end run around the constitution,” about the APD.
Jones provided what he says is a law allowing folks to sell guns, even in parking lots, which is one of the things the APD says was happening at gun shows.
There have been suggestions like only letting licensed dealers sell weapons and having a security guard patrol Gun Show parking lots, but the APD says they were just that, suggestions.
The Texas Gun Show has a show planned in a couple of weeks, but the promoter said some of the dealers dropped out after hearing about the APD suggestions, the show has since been canceled.