Interesting Contrast...

in today's issue of one of the local newspapers, the Port Arthur News...(emphasis mine --ed.)

...Castle Doctrine, a law upheld in 14 other states, gives Texans a stronger legal right to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, cars and workplaces.
...Someone who is against Castle Doctrine, however, is Peter Hamm, communications director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

“There is no one in jail in Texas or anywhere else charged with using deadly force illegally for self defense,” Hamm said via telephone Wednesday. “We don’t understand what this new law is trying to solve and we fear the law, and others like it, will be used by people who should be in jail.”

The law, he said, takes the ball out of the hands of the criminal justice system.

NRA, authorities support new law

Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist, said he applauded Perry for signing the bill into law.

“Gov. Perry is the first governor in the country to sign Castle Doctrine legislation into law in 2007 and I’d like to thank him for his support” Cox said. “This is a victim’s rights measure. Crime victims don’t have the luxury of time when confronted by a criminal. This law gives victims the option of defending themselves and removes any mandate of forcible retreat set either in state statute or in case law.”

“The Castle Doctrine bill is about putting the law back on the side of the victim, the way it’s supposed to be.”

Port Arthur Police Chief Mark Blanton agrees with both Cox and Perry.

“I think the governor’s statement says it all, ‘the right to defend oneself from an imminent act of harm should not only be clearly defined in Texas law, but is intuitive to human nature,” Blanton said. “If you are in your home with your wife or by yourself why should you have to retreat for self defense? Or if you are carjacked why should you have to retreat?”

What does it say about the Brady Bunch and their ilk when they disagree with the police on an issue like this? They're always claiming to be on the side of law enforcement and public safety. How interesting it is than on an issue which at least Southeast Texas law enforcement officials are going on record as supporting, the Bradys oppose them. To what extent Chief Blanton's remarks represent law enforcement as a whole is indeed arguable, but considering he is an appointed official -- even if he did come from the rank-and-file -- it's quite refreshing to see that someone in his position would stand up and be counted on this issue as supporting the rights of the people to defend themselves. Good on him.