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The
Right to Bear Arms
Chat with Texas Legislator
Suzanna Hupp
Source: ABCNews.com May 5, 2000 |
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May 5
—Republican State Representative Suzanna Hupp became a
vocal advocate for Second Amendment rights after the death of her parents
in 1991
After leaving her gun in her car in order to
comply with the law, Ms. Hupp watched helplessly as both her parents and
21 other patrons of a diner were gunned down.
She contends that there are always going to be
guns in America. The real issue is how you use guns, who should use guns
and for what reasons.
Rep. Hupp appeared on World News Tonight
as part of the broadcast’s new “21st Century Lives” series, and then
joined us online in a chat.
Moderator
at 6:59pm ET
Welcome Suzanna Hupp. Let's begin.
Moderator
at 7:00pm ET
As a woman and mother, is your position on gun legislation seen as
contradictory?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:01pm ET
That question made me chuckle when I read it earlier, because there's no
way to know the answer to it unless that question were asked on the
census. I do know that I represent a very large number of mothers. After
all, it was only 30% of the population that supported the American
Revolution.
michael m metzgar from proxy.aol.com at 7:01pm ET
Do you support responsible regulation of firearms (gun locks, 10-day
waiting period for purchases, safety courses for gun owners), even while
supporting the basic right of citizens to own firearms?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:03pm ET
I believe anyone who deals with a potentially deadly piece of equipment
has the responsibility to act in a safe manner. However, the last time I
looked, it isn't the "Bill of Mother, May Is," it is the Bill of
Rights.
Moderator
at 7:04pm ET
What will you be doing during the Million Mother's march?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:05pm ET
I'm a keynote speaker for the counter to the Million Mom March, that has
been put together by the Second Amendment Sisters. I believe their purpose
is to make it clear that those mothers represent themselves, not all
American mothers, by any stretch of the imagination.
Nick from pg1.md.home.com at 7:06pm ET
Suzanna: Thanks for telling the other side of the story! Do you think the
poll numbers are accurate — the numbers showing a sizeable majority of
Americans favoring still more restrictive gun control?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:07pm ET
That's an excellent question. I think the vast majority of people have
been bombarded by stories of violence with guns in the media. Although
violent crime is down dramatically, the reporting of it is up over 700
percent.
I believe people are responding at an emotional
level, that they are tired of gun violence. I believe it's a question of
giving people the correct information so that they can make proper
judgement calls.
Moderator
at 7:08pm ET
What would you say to your critics who would challenge your statement that
"a gun is merely a tool"?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:09pm ET
(Laughing) I would do just exactly that — I would chuckle, and be
concerned about anyone who assigns human qualities or animation to an
inanimate piece of metal. It does not pull its own trigger. It can either
kill a family or protect a family.
Rhonda from Texas at 7:10pm ET
As a mother and concealed-weapon carrier, what can we do to show the
uneducated anti-gunners that it is the criminals and NOT the guns that are
the problem?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:12pm ET
I would recommend finding stories such as mine on the Internet, and when
you're talking to people, try to put them in the position I was in, with
their little children behind them. Even if they choose not to have a gun,
as the bad guy levels a weapon on their children, don't they hope the guy
next to them has a gun and knows how to use it?
I believe people make their decisions at the gut
level, and most people ignore statistical information. If you can
personalize a story, you may make a difference.
Moderator
at 7:13pm ET
What kind of gun legislation do you think would be more effective in this
country?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:14pm ET
Let's keep it simple. When bad guys use guns illegally, they should be
crucified for it. Beyond that, I'm not interested.
Wayne Clifton from bellatlantic.net at 7:14pm ET
Are you in agreement that the NRA is correct in asserting that the Second
Amendment is an individual right, and not a collective, governmental
right?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:16pm ET
Oh, heavens. Anyone who has had a history class would agree with that
statement. Again, I would say that it was not written as "The Bill of
Needs," or the "Bill of Mother, May Is," it is "The
Bill of Rights." Our founding fathers stated that they were God-given
rights, not rights granted by the government. They simply enumerated them.
Moderator
at 7:18pm ET
What was your reaction to the rash of school shootings last year?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:21pm ET
What a ridiculous question. Of course my reaction was one of empathetic
heartbreak for the people involved. Without sounding cliche, been there,
done that. I know what it's like to lose loved ones, and the idea of
losing one of my children makes me physically ill.
But I will say again, why is it that we
consistently see these types of mass shootings in places where guns aren't
allowed? We see them in schools, churches... If guns are the problem, why
don't we see these things occurring at skeet and trap shoots, NRA
conventions, gun shows, etc?
Stan Odum from btr.bellsouth.net at 7:22pm ET
If the government should ever try to seize our guns like other countries,
what type of reaction do you think the public will give?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:23pm ET
I pray to God that such a thing will never occur in this country. But
history has taught us that it probably will. As horrific as it may be, I
believe another Revolution would most likely occur.
KMoore0814@aol.com from proxy.aol.com at 7:23pm ET
Would you agree, then, that if the teachers at these schools had been
licensed to carry guns that these tragedies may have been prevented?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:26pm ET
Absolutely. A perfect example of that is how the carnage in Pearl,
Mississippi was halted by a vice-principal who had a firearm in his truck,
illegally, on school premises, and held the gunman, after numerous
murders, at gunpoint until the police arrived.
There are two factors. Number one, it acts as a
deterrent effect, and number two, why are we treating our teachers like
second-class citizens, when we allow other people to protect themselves in
their work places?
Israel had numerous terrorist attacks perpetrated
upon their schools. When they required their teachers to be armed, the
terrorist attacks and the number of children that died dropped to zero.
Mort for Florida from gulfbreeze.mediacom.ispchannel.com
at 7:28pm ET
What is your opinion of the "12 children a day killed by gun"
(statistic) that Clinton and HCI keep harping on?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:31pm ET
Be very careful with statistics. The anti-Second-Amendment crowd includes,
in their definition of "children," people through the age of 21.
The vast majority of those deaths are due to gang-related violence between
these "kids" age 17 through 21.
When we talk about true children, more than twice
as many children die by drowning in five-gallon buckets than do from gun
accidents. However, as a mother I am a staunch supporter of the Eddie
Eagle program, that teaches children, if they see a gun, to stop, don't
touch, leave the area, tell an adult.
Moderator
at 7:31pm ET
What are the laws in currently in Texas regarding concealed weapons?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:33pm ET
In a nutshell, we are a "shall-issue" state, which means that if
you meet the criteria, you must be issued a permit. There is a fee, and
you must complete a 15-hour course that concentrates on conflict
resolution and Texas law. And you must satisfactorily complete a test of
your shooting capability. You have to be 21 years of age or older, and a
non-felon.
Peter C from proxy.aol.com at 7:34pm ET
Rep Hupp, what has been the effect on crime in the state of Texas since
the "Shall Issue" conceal carry law was passed?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:35pm ET
As has occurred in other areas where this law has been enacted, violent
crime — that is, crime perpetrated on a person — has dramatically
decreased. Interestingly, property crime tends to go up slightly, the
thought being that criminals look for easy targets, and if they perceive
you as a possible threat, then they will turn to property crime instead.
And frankly, I'd rather have someone steal my car than rob or rape or kill
me or my children.
Gene Dultz from as.wcom.net at 7:36pm ET
What is your opinion about the media's coverage of gun and firearm issues?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:38pm ET
That's a great question. As I mentioned earlier, the coverage of violent
crime is up over 700 percent. So, our perception is that this stuff occurs
everywhere and none of us are safe.
I believe that the school shootings would not
occur if it weren't for this coverage. We have all grown up knowing at
least one weirdo in school that may have been capable of this, but in the
past, it was not an option that they considered.
I would love nothing more than for the major
networks to come to an agreement to report what must be reported the first
day, and thereafter, never, ever, use the perpetrator's name or picture
again.
I believe that all it would take is one of the
major networks to step up to the plate and make that commitment. They will
be perceived as heroes, and the other networks will jump on the bandwagon
immediately.
Greg in Austin TX from ev1.net at 7:39pm ET
As a mom, do you talk to your kids about guns?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:40pm ET
My children are four years old and one-and-a-half. The four year old is
taught the Eddie Eagle program of stop, don't touch, leave the area, tell
an adult. My second child is just getting to the point where we can begin
to work with him.
Ronald Florendine from proxy.aol.com at 7:40pm ET
What significance do you attach to the term, "a well-regulated
militia," in the Second Amendment?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:41pm ET
A well-regulated militia consisted of every able-bodied man. Ie, the
citizenry. The purpose was to defend themselves against a tyrannical
government.
Fr. Terrence McGillicuddy from ply.adelphia.net at 7:42pm
ET
Do you think "the press" in general stereotypes gun owners in a
negative manner?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:43pm ET
I think, typically, gun owners are portrayed as "Joe Bubba
hunters." In other words, camouflage-wearing, missing a front tooth,
guys that like lots of blood. And that truly, truly is a
misrepresentation. That's why it's important for people like me to come
forward and give a different face to people who believe in the Second
Amendment.
Dave Erhard from kscymo.swbell.net at 7:44pm ET
Ms. Hupp, what do you think the future holds for gun owners in the U.S.?
Will we end up like the Aussies?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:45pm ET
I sincerely hope not. As many of you are aware, when the Australians
recently outlawed guns, their homicide rate, and their ARMED robbery rate
went up dramatically, immediately. Their armed robbery rate went up 44
percent. This is like creating OSHA for criminals.
Greg in Austin TX from ev1.net at 7:46pm ET
How severely should minors who are found to be illegally possessing
firearms be punished? What about their parents?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:48pm ET
Because of my experience in the Legislature, I will say that this must be
handled by the court on an individual basis. It completely depends upon
the circumstances of the individual and the family. And certainly if the
family is guilty of negligence or abuse, then that should be factored in
by the court.
Moderator
at 7:49pm ET
Is it possible to find a middle ground for compromise between pro and
anti-gun groups?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:51pm ET
That's a great question that I'm asked frequently. I believe that middle
ground can be found, on safety training for children. I am very concerned,
however, and believe that the constituents of certain representatives —
who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States —
should be concerned. And without sounding too cliche, what part of
"shall not infringe" don't they understand? So my fear is, if we
let them infringe a little bit, why can't they infringe a lot? The phrase
is, "shall not be infringed." It's just that simple.
Moderator
at 7:51pm ET
Rep. Hupp, do you have any final thoughts?
Suzanna Hupp
at 7:53pm ET
If you're on the fence on this issue, just imagine yourself in a
restaurant, on a bright, sunny day, as a madman begins to slaughter
innocent people like fish in a barrel. And as he levels the gun at your
child, don't you hope that either you or the guy next to you has a gun and
knows how to use it?
The only thing the gun laws have done is prevent
law-abiding people from protecting themselves and their families. I would
much rather be in jail with a felony offense on my head, and have my
parents alive to know their grandchildren. And I think that says it.
Moderator
at 7:54pm ET
Thank you for joining us today.
You can continue chat about Suzanna Hupp on our message board by
clicking
here now.
Moderator
at 7:54pm ET
Did you miss one of our chats?
Click
here to read recent chats on ABCNEWS.com.
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Our
Last Line of Defense (WND) May 5, 2000
Armed & Safe in Georgia
_______________________________________________
FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN - NEVER
DISARM !
Children subjected to Government Medical experiments -
Auschwitz.
____________________________________________
Please e-mail your comments or questions to: 2ndamend@dnai.com.
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