BELTON (June 30, 2013) — The City of Belton hasn’t been without a 4th of July Parade for nearly 164 years. The annual salute to American Independence began in 1850.
But the 2013 parade slated for this Thursday may be the first one since its inception that is gun-less.
Color Guard soldiers and American Civil War re-enactors have toted rifles in the parade for years. It’s a tradition that 26-year-old Belton native Robert Sneed cherishes and respects.
“That’s easily one of my best memories growing up was going and seeing that parade,” Sneed said.
Sneed is a board member for ‘Open Carry Texas,’ a local organization dedicated to carrying firearms openly and legally in public.
The group was founded earlier this year by C.J. Grisham, a Fort Hood soldier who was arrested by Temple Police in March while walking along a public road with his son.
Grisham had a loaded assault rifle strapped across his chest.
While Grisham had the right to carry a firearm, a person called police out of concern after seeing the weapon in public.
Grisham’s son recorded video on his phone of police confiscating his dad’s weapon and taking Grisham into custody.
Grisham’s arrest had many in the local public questioning as to why he was ever stopped and arrested.
Under state law, carrying a long rifle (this includes many assault style rifles) in certain public areas is legal.
‘Open Carry Texas’ now routinely marches in those public areas toting rifles to further educate the public about this notion.
“A lot of people just don’t realize that when they see someone walking around with a rifle that in tons of cases it’s totally legal,” Sneed said.
So when the organization learned that the theme for Belton’s 4th of July Parade was selected as “Symbols of Freedom,” they signed up to march with their rifles in the parade.
The Belton Chamber of Commerce approved their application.
“With us being out there with our long weapons, we would be educating the public on the freedoms we still have,” Sneed said.
But the chamber’s insurance carrier thwarted any chance of that happening.
“We would have not received any coverage for firearm related accidents when we talked to our insurance carrier,” Belton Chamber of Commerce President Stephanie O’Banion said.
“There’s a list of safety regulations that have developed over the years to insure we are executing a very safe event for the community.”
All Color Guard soldiers and American Civil War re-enactors who have toted rifles in the parade for years won’t be allowed to anymore.
The chamber says they and ‘Open Carry Texas’ will be allowed to march in the parade but unarmed.
It’s a disappointment for Sneed, who says ‘Open Carry Texas’ will not be affected by this 2nd Amendment hurdle.
“If you’re not willing to use your rights you’re willing to lose them…this is a right granted to me and I’ll express it to the fullest,” Sneed said.
““We would have not received any coverage for firearm related accidents when we talked to our insurance carrier,” Belton Chamber of Commerce President Stephanie O’Banion said.”
Why WHY WHY….do these idiots listen to insurance companies? So what if they don’t insure. The damn city has more than enough money to pay for any mishaps WITHOUT insurance. This is bullshit and blackmail! Plain and simple.
““There’s a list of safety regulations that have developed over the years to insure we are executing a very safe event for the community.””
AH!….The infamous “SAFE” word that keeps popping up like a bad penny. “Safe event for the community” and so basically you are saying that without a gun to protect ourselves, we are SAFE? But if we have a gun, we are NOT safe?
Here we go with the insurance companies getting involved with our 2nd Article rights. THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS EVEN DISCUSSING OR EVEN TALKING ABOUT OUR 2ND ARTICLE RIGHTS!! YOU SHOULDN’T EVEN HAVE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THEM. IT’S NONE OF THEIR DAMN BUSINESS!!!
And if they don’t want to insure it, then just insure the rest and deal with the firearms safety yourself. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PAYING COPS AND PEACE OFFICERS there for? To eat donuts? That’s their job to make sure everything is peaceful, you idiots! But I bet you can insure them with 80,000/yr for carrying a gun anywhere and everywhere, but not WE THE PEOPLE. F**K THE FASCISM!!!!! Grow some balls, dammit!
hear hear
Did they insure in past years? If not then WTF is the problem? If so what was their justification for canceling coverage? They want total control 24/7.
I personally think cops should have to take out their own insurance policies…maybe people and dogs wouldn’t be dying all the time. I’m more afraid of cops these days then citizens…criminal or not.
I think Sneed should trade that AR for an AK and get with the program.