# Texas state lawmaker calls for "praying for protection" instead of gun reform... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 1, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563 "2019-09-01T19:36:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/21 "2019-09-01T23:00:49Z")
I grew up not too terribly far from Midland-Odessa. Not that close but still the general neighborhood. They were known as the Cities with No Fingers, due to all the injured oilfield workers. A nasty, nasty area, and I am surprised more of this sort of thing does not go on in this region. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/22 "2019-09-01T23:02:56Z")
I’m so mad at the media right now. They keep drawing the connection between this and El Paso, or pulling out that “4 of the 10 worst in modern US History” but Santa Fe HS (10 dead) and Sutherland Springs Church (27 dead) have been within the last TWO years. That’s the time frame that’s relevant here. We’ve had four mass shootings targeting random people in THREE years. Making the story this and El Paso is letting everyone forget the other two. Fuck, I’d half forgotten about them. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/23 "2019-09-01T23:06:19Z")
But **Siam Sam** , how do they pull the triggers without fingers? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/24 "2019-09-01T23:10:44Z")
Scene: Dirty Harry aims a gun at this clown. This is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel prayerful?’ Well do ya, punk? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/25 "2019-09-01T23:14:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But **Siam Sam** , how do they pull the triggers without fingers? With a DORRANCE #5X STAINLESS STEEL HOOK! ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/26 "2019-09-01T23:20:52Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > I’m so mad at the media right now. They keep drawing the connection between this and El Paso, or pulling out that “4 of the 10 worst in modern US History” but Santa Fe HS (10 dead) and Sutherland Springs Church (27 dead) have been within the last TWO years. That’s the time frame that’s relevant here. We’ve had four mass shootings targeting random people in THREE years. Making the story this and El Paso is letting everyone forget the other two. Fuck, I’d half forgotten about them. Serious question: afaik guns are not particularly more available in Texas today than they have been for the past fifteen years or more; any reason why we’d suddenly start having more shootings? ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/27 "2019-09-01T23:32:21Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Serious question: afaik guns are not particularly more available in Texas today than they have been for the past fifteen years or more; any reason why we’d suddenly start having more shootings? All part of God’s plan, apparently. Obviously we’re not praying hard enough.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/28 "2019-09-01T23:44:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But **Siam Sam** , how do they pull the triggers without fingers? Toes. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/29 "2019-09-01T23:58:30Z")
From the CNN story: > [@](#): > > … Republican Matt Schaefer posted on Facebook Saturday that “so-called gun-control solutions” won’t “stop a person with evil intent,” and that people should instead pray for victims and those with “evil intent.” > > “‘Do something!’ is the statement we keep hearing,” he wrote. “As an elected official with a vote in Austin, let me tell you what I am NOT going to do. I am NOT going to use the evil acts of a handful of people to diminish the God-given rights of my fellow Texans. Period. None of these so-called gun-control solutions will work to stop a person with evil intent.” > Later in the post he continues: “What can we do? YES to praying for victims. YES to praying for protection. YES to praying that God would transform the hearts of people with evil intent.” … [https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/01/politics/texas-state-rep-praying-for-protection-shooting/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/01/politics/texas-state-rep-praying-for-protection-shooting/index.html) How this must be striking the ears of shooting victims and their families is painful to contemplate. What this individual is saying, in essence, is that if you got shot, or someone you love got shot, then you or your loved one _failed to win God’s protection_. You FAILED. You did not pray effectively enough, and God turned his (of course) back on you. IT’S YOUR FAULT THAT YOU GOT SHOT. IT’S YOUR FAULT THAT YOUR CHILD GOT SHOT. That is the logical inference. It’s the only conclusion you can reach if the premise is ‘we can’t regulate gun ownership; all we can do is pray for protection.’ Republican Matt Schaefer: Scum of the earth. Officially. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/30 "2019-09-02T00:09:04Z")
I keep picturing Peter sitting down on the steps in front of the pearly gates, looking this guy straight in the eye, and saying “… the actual fuck were you thinking?” ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/31 "2019-09-02T00:31:29Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I keep picturing Peter sitting down on the steps in front of the pearly gates, looking this guy straight in the eye, and saying “… the actual fuck were you thinking?” Yes. Actually-religious people (Christian or otherwise) should be the loudest voices condemning Schaefer’s ugly, insulting remarks. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/32 "2019-09-02T01:26:14Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Serious question: afaik guns are not particularly more available in Texas today than they have been for the past fifteen years or more; any reason why we’d suddenly start having more shootings? There are more people inspired to commit mass shootings because there are more people talking about it. > **[Mass shootings can be contagious, research shows](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/08/06/748767807/mass-shootings-can-be-contagious-research-shows)** > > It may not be a coincidence that several mass shootings took place in a few days. Research shows perpetrators are often inspired by media coverage of other shootings. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/33 "2019-09-02T03:01:21Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I believe it’s in the Book of Armaments. Nice reference 😃 And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, “O Lord, bless this Thy hand grenade that with it Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits, in Thy mercy.” And the Lord did grin and the people did feast upon the lambs and sloths and carp and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast cereals, and fruit bats and large chu… ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/34 "2019-09-02T03:06:16Z")
Can’t believe people aren’t using “Verse 30 Aught 5” or somthing similar for _The Book of Armaments_. I tell you, the Teeming Millions these days. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/35 "2019-09-02T03:06:49Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > **…in wake of mass shooting.** > [https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/01/politics/texas-state-rep-praying-for-protection-shooting/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/01/politics/texas-state-rep-praying-for-protection-shooting/index.html) > > There are no words. Fuck him and his god damn “prayers”. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/36 "2019-09-02T03:16:41Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Serious question: afaik guns are not particularly more available in Texas today than they have been for the past fifteen years or more; any reason why we’d suddenly start having more shootings? That’s a much bigger question than I can answer. All I know is that the world is happening so fast that less than two years ago, 27 people died in a church outside San Antonio and barely a year ago 11 died in a high school outside Houston and they feel like, are treated like, ancient history. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/37 "2019-09-02T03:30:47Z")
Part of the reason is because white supremacists no longer feel like they have to hide who and what they are. They don’t like that they’re becoming a minority. They’re angry, because they’re afraid that they’re going to lose their unearned privileges. And they’re ignorant. It’s a deadly stew, and it’s being exacerbated by a president who makes no secret of the fact that he’s a white supremacist, too. They feel like he’s got their back. They have permission from the highest elected official in the country to do what they want to anyone who ain’t white, like them. It doesn’t help that the GOP and a significant percentage of law enforcement are right there with them and have hamstrung any attempt to reign them in. The Bundys are only the most egregious example of the idiocy. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/38 "2019-09-02T07:29:53Z")
> [@](#): > > … Republican Matt Schaefer posted on Facebook Saturday that “so-called gun-control solutions” won’t “stop a person with evil intent,” and that people should instead pray for victims and those with “evil intent.” > > “‘Do something!’ is the statement we keep hearing,” he wrote. “As an elected official with a vote in Austin, let me tell you what I am NOT going to do. I am NOT going to use the evil acts of a handful of people to diminish the God-given rights of my fellow Texans. Period. None of these so-called gun-control solutions will work to stop a person with evil intent.” > Later in the post he continues: “What can we do? YES to praying for victims. YES to praying for protection. YES to praying that God would transform the hearts of people with evil intent.” … To this God replied, “I didn’t send you semi-automatic firearms or high-capacity magazines or forbid you from doing background checks, what the fuck do _you_ expect from _me_?” CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/39 "2019-09-02T13:42:15Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Part of the reason is because white supremacists no longer feel like they have to hide who and what they are. They don’t like that they’re becoming a minority. Partly through their own doing: when you spend a lot of effort in otherizing everybody you can come up with an excuse for, don’t be surprised to end up a party of one. After all, each of us is the only person who is exactly like each of us. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563/40 "2019-09-02T16:57:07Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Serious question: afaik guns are not particularly more available in Texas today than they have been for the past fifteen years or more; any reason why we’d suddenly start having more shootings? This question is not really relevant to this thread, but it could be because there are many, many more guns now that 10, 15, 20, etc., years ago. Here’s the first non-paywalled cite I found: > **[Firearms Numbers in the United States 1945 - 2012](http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2015/06/firearms-numbers-in-united-states-1945.html)** > > The data for these numbers has been gathered from two sources.  From 1945 to 1987, the data was taken from "Point Blank: Guns and Violen... The Washington Post has a similar graph, but that site is paywalled: > **[Analysis | There are more guns than people in the United States, according to...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/06/19/there-are-more-guns-than-people-in-the-united-states-according-to-a-new-study-of-global-firearm-ownership/)** > > American gunmakers were busy during the Obama years. The Post’s estimates seem to be lower than the other site, but I’m not sure if they’re materially lower (the first site graphics are not great). Now let’s get back to wondering why an all-powerful deity, who should be especially present in bible-y Texas, can’t put a stop to these mass shootings. On the subject of absentee deities, a Holocaust survivor dies and meets God in Heaven. He tells God a joke about the Holocaust and God replies, “that wasn’t funny.” The man says, “Well, I guess you had to be there.” (Possibly taken from Ricky Gervais?) Seems tangentially relevant to a thread about an idiot lawmaker hoping to pray the bullets away. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-state-lawmaker-calls-for-praying-for-protection-instead-of-gun-reform/839563.md?page=3)