Law man dispenses disinformation on proposed gun law

“You're arguing with the wrong person...”

Waxahachie – Standing on the flat bed, speaking into the mike, the cop with the gun on his hip told Open Carry activists they were arguing with the wrong person.

“We're not going to get into the Constitution on state law,” said Mike Jones. “You're arguing with the wrong person.”

Funny, but no one other than the law man could be heard arguing. The people who confronted him were only asking questions. 

Constable Mike Jones spent 21 years in the Corps, emerging as a retired Master Sergeant. 

He became a police officer in the Ellis County Metroplex bedroom community of Midlothian, where he now serves the Justice Court as Precinct 4 Constable.

At the Dontcomply.com open carry rally and armed march held Saturday, July 27, he blithely spread disinformation while acting as the “spokesman” for the Ellis County law enforcement community.

Dontcomply.com (click here) is part of a nationwide movement to educate Americans on their gun rights under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They have sponsored numerous armed marches around courthouses and city halls throughout central and north Texas lately, following the arrest of Army M/Sgt. C.J. Grisham by Temple Police for “rude display” of an AR-15 while on a Boy Scout hike with his son.

There is no law against carrying a long gun openly in the State of Texas. Under the disorderly conduct statute, there is a law against “rudely displaying” a rifle or shotgun “in a manner calculated to cause alarm.”

Constable Jones said all that will change come September 1, when SB 299 takes effect. (click here to read the text of SB 299)

The bill, which, according to Constable Jones passed the Legislature in its latest session, deals with the open carry of a handgun by an individual licensed under state law to carry a handgun concealed. It is illegal to carry a handgun openly. Nowhere in its language does SB 299 make mention of long guns. One need only click here to read the text of the bill.

He said he got this information at a “legislative update” meeting. When members of the crowd questioned him, he said “I went to a legislative update meeting. They were telling us all the update information.”

Jones didn't say who organized the meeting, or even where it was held. He just said that local police at the Waxahachie Police Department are going to question those who carry long guns when strolling as a group.

Speaking for the county law enforcement types, he said, “We like the idea of you guys being armed.”

Asked if the Constitution contains any language limiting a citizen's right to keep and bear arms, he declared, “We're not going to get into the Constitution on state law. You're arguing with the wrong person.”

When contacted by phone, a recorded message said he is unavailable for comment at this time.