McPatrickClan

Texas is one of six states in The Union that prohibits open carry while allowing concealed carry. Story linked below:

MyFox Dallas | Texas Group Wants to Carry Handguns in Plain View

Kerbouchard

I really want to say, "its about time", but I just don't know how I feel about this one. Having never been around open carry, I guess I am just not acclimatized to it.

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gilliland87

I don't mean to start the whole open/concealed discussion again but i;ll offer this story at the dog park with my mutt in a metro area a guy is open carrying a 1911. everyone only exchanging pleasantries with him until he and his dog leave only to hear a tidal wave of why would you carry a gun around like that. he must be crazy or paranoid, he creeps me out all the like, these are people i converse with usually 2-3 times per week. i responded its perfectly legal in this state and it is his choice all the while carrying my sr9 owb, one reason i carry concealed and don't tell.

ranburr

It seems pretty stupid to me. What are you going to do when all the gang bangers who can't qualify for a CHL start carrying openly?

ranburr

press1280

As far as the gang bangers go, TX could either require you have a CHL to open or CC(thus gang bangers need not apply) or,if they will allow unlicensed open carry, if they have a criminal record they will be arrested. In all of the open carry states you must be legal to own a handgun to be able to carry.
I highly doubt any of these gang bangers will open carry under any circumstances, and they may think twice going after an armed target. But then again the element of suprise is gone for the GG and thus we have the open/concealed argument so I'll leave it there.
I do believe they should pass the open carry law, just to avoid anyones shirt riding up and putting them in jail.

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jahwarrior72

people who don't qualify to CC usually don't qualify to buy a gun legally, anyway. in PA the PICS (penn. instant check system) is the same system the sheriffs use to process applications for LTCFs. if you go to a gun shop, and try to buy a gun illegally, the police will be there in minutes to arrest you. i've seen it!

i doubt a criminal OC, anyway. that kind of goes against the criminal minset of doing things in a sneaky way.

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BikerRN

I can see one added "benefit" to this law:

If you are "printing" enough for someone to take notice and call the Police the fact that you're "printing" is not illegal.

If my memory serves me, I believe Texas is one of those places where if it is "noticed" that you are "printing" you can be arrested for it.

That may be part of the reason that the people in TX, that I know, are paranoid about "printing".

Biker

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MNBurl

About time. How can Texas not be an OC state? It boggles the mind.

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McPatrickClan

This is absolutely the #1 reason most Texans signed this petition, IMHO. I was raised in the Upper Midwest but have lived all over Texas for the last 12 years. It gets very hot here for a good part of the year. It is much more difficult to carry concealed when you are sporting shorts & a short-sleeve shirt, than in a place like Ohio, where wearing a jacket much of the year would be perfectly acceptable. It's not uncommon for us to have 50+ degree days in December or January. You just don't have to dress warmly too much here.

That's the first reason why I support this drive. The other reason is that I have become almost 100% convinced that the 2nd Amendment is a civic right, akin to voting or free speech. That being true, this right cannot be moderated or controlled. It just is. Blocking a certain type of carry is like moderating that right. I believe in gradualism, so I can vote Republican & not pull my hair out, as well as get my concealed permit & not get too mad that right now they are moderating my civic right.

Once it passes (I hope it does) into law, I will probably be like most guys & not use it. It's just good to have the option, IMHO.

Ram Rod

Good luck to you folks down in Texas. If it happens there, it would likely increase the odds of it happening here. OC/CC debate doesn't apply--again, there is nothing to debate as everyone should have a choice. Good, bad, or indifferent---leave it up to the individual.

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