Well - at the risk of all the group anti-NRA/TSRA naysayers ganging up on me, I'm gonna post this link and a transcript of same. If you go to the link, you can click on another link down in the comments to hear a short recording of part of my radio interview.
While many of y'all post on here, slamming TSRA and elsewhere crying about "mah gun rights", there ARE TSRA members around the state working hard to actively defend gun rights for everyone, both around the state and in various communities within. You'll notice that within 3 hours of my initial discussion with the mayor, the city's position was reversed - without screaming, demonstrations or other extraneous methods - THAT is how you effect change, by working within the political system. There's plenty of time for demonstrations, etc later if reasoned discussions don't effect the desired change.
As you read it, bear in mind - I also have a business to run that I essentially put on hold while chasing this issue down because it took precedence over anything else. And that was fine, because the gun rights of EVERYONE (even those that want to bad mouth TSRA) matter more to me (and the rest of TSRA) than anything else.
The link:
https://www.facebook.com/george.mandry.7/posts/10219896105966325
The transcript:
George Mandry
Yesterday at 10:13 AM ·
FINAL UPDATE below!
READ UPDATE below!!
If you live in the City of New Braunfels, you need to know that the city has ordered all gun shops to cease business because of their emergency declaration! I just did a short live interview with KTSA, who assured me they will be following up with the city about this.
I spoke with Justin Meadows (my council member) about this this morning, who confirmed the city's position. I've asked him to relay to the mayor AND the City Attorney that they ARE in violation of both state AND SCOTUS findings. He assured me he'd ask the City Attorney to contact me. I've also been in contact with the Texas State Rifle Association.
PLEASE SHARE THIS - the citizens of this community NEEDS to know about this!
UPDATE:
Spoke with the City Attorney just now, who's said that until they get direction/clarification from the AG's office and/or the mayor, the orders will stand.
Minutes after THAT discussion, I spoke with Mayor Barron Casteel, who was genuinely surprised that ANY gun store had been directed to close, and assured me that corrective action would be taken.
One thing to bear in mind - this is a VERY historic situation, one that has never been encountered before. Because of that, there's a LOT of "new territory", and there's going to be refinements required on an ongoing basis.
I want to emphasize that EVERY conversation I've had - from Councilman Justin to Mayor Casteel - has been amicable and productive, and I'm confident that this situation has been resolved, or will be very shortly.
FINAL UPDATE:
I'm pleased to tell everyone that shortly after noon today, I received a call back from the New Braunfels City Attorney Val Acevedo to inform me that they had, in fact, received the requested opinion from the Texas AG's office, and as a result were declaring ALL gun shops to be "essential businesses".
While I'd have preferred that the clarification never have been needed, it was gratifying to see the speed and integrity with which this issue was resolved in the midst of all the other issues the city is having to deal with. One of the biggest take-aways from this situation today was the reminder that while it sometimes is frustrating, the democracy that we live in DOES ultimately respond to those it serves. By all parties keeping calm and discussing the issue, we were able to reach a resolution in mere hours - one that served to help reinforce the ideals that we all hold dear. I'd really like to take time to expressly thank Councilman Justin Meadows, who worked with me from last night to help reach out to those best able to effect the changes. We sometimes forget - this isn't his "day job" - but one he chose to undertake as a matter of service to his community. Justin, from the bottom of my heart, I VERY much appreciate you always being willing to take my calls and working to find resolution to ANY issue!
While many of y'all post on here, slamming TSRA and elsewhere crying about "mah gun rights", there ARE TSRA members around the state working hard to actively defend gun rights for everyone, both around the state and in various communities within. You'll notice that within 3 hours of my initial discussion with the mayor, the city's position was reversed - without screaming, demonstrations or other extraneous methods - THAT is how you effect change, by working within the political system. There's plenty of time for demonstrations, etc later if reasoned discussions don't effect the desired change.
As you read it, bear in mind - I also have a business to run that I essentially put on hold while chasing this issue down because it took precedence over anything else. And that was fine, because the gun rights of EVERYONE (even those that want to bad mouth TSRA) matter more to me (and the rest of TSRA) than anything else.
The link:
https://www.facebook.com/george.mandry.7/posts/10219896105966325
The transcript:
George Mandry
Yesterday at 10:13 AM ·
FINAL UPDATE below!
READ UPDATE below!!
If you live in the City of New Braunfels, you need to know that the city has ordered all gun shops to cease business because of their emergency declaration! I just did a short live interview with KTSA, who assured me they will be following up with the city about this.
I spoke with Justin Meadows (my council member) about this this morning, who confirmed the city's position. I've asked him to relay to the mayor AND the City Attorney that they ARE in violation of both state AND SCOTUS findings. He assured me he'd ask the City Attorney to contact me. I've also been in contact with the Texas State Rifle Association.
PLEASE SHARE THIS - the citizens of this community NEEDS to know about this!
UPDATE:
Spoke with the City Attorney just now, who's said that until they get direction/clarification from the AG's office and/or the mayor, the orders will stand.
Minutes after THAT discussion, I spoke with Mayor Barron Casteel, who was genuinely surprised that ANY gun store had been directed to close, and assured me that corrective action would be taken.
One thing to bear in mind - this is a VERY historic situation, one that has never been encountered before. Because of that, there's a LOT of "new territory", and there's going to be refinements required on an ongoing basis.
I want to emphasize that EVERY conversation I've had - from Councilman Justin to Mayor Casteel - has been amicable and productive, and I'm confident that this situation has been resolved, or will be very shortly.
FINAL UPDATE:
I'm pleased to tell everyone that shortly after noon today, I received a call back from the New Braunfels City Attorney Val Acevedo to inform me that they had, in fact, received the requested opinion from the Texas AG's office, and as a result were declaring ALL gun shops to be "essential businesses".
While I'd have preferred that the clarification never have been needed, it was gratifying to see the speed and integrity with which this issue was resolved in the midst of all the other issues the city is having to deal with. One of the biggest take-aways from this situation today was the reminder that while it sometimes is frustrating, the democracy that we live in DOES ultimately respond to those it serves. By all parties keeping calm and discussing the issue, we were able to reach a resolution in mere hours - one that served to help reinforce the ideals that we all hold dear. I'd really like to take time to expressly thank Councilman Justin Meadows, who worked with me from last night to help reach out to those best able to effect the changes. We sometimes forget - this isn't his "day job" - but one he chose to undertake as a matter of service to his community. Justin, from the bottom of my heart, I VERY much appreciate you always being willing to take my calls and working to find resolution to ANY issue!