Texas has fairy easy gun laws compared to other states, I would sure like to have open carry. I go walking with my wife at night, and I feel very vulnerable. I live right on the border and it is a dangerous place. I usually have just a T shirt and shorts on and I would like to have a .45 in a shoulder holster. It seems like if my gun was visible it would be more use. I have a feeling nothing would ever happen but I think my 2nd amendment rights should cover me. Is there any open carry movement organization Texas?


Thanks,


Dwight

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Veritas et Humanitas

You would think that if any state had open carry, it would be Texas, wouldn't you?

It's always being discussed, motions made, and laws proposed, but it never seems to get done.

If you want to carry your gun in a shoulder holster, do it...just wear a cover garment. There are two main views about open carry....some say it is a deterrent and others say it is an attractant to miscreants. Maybe I don't have a criminal mindset, but the last person I am going to pick out to rob or otherwise commit mayhem upon is the guy who I can see is carrying a gun!

We have it either way in Tennessee. I've seen only a few people open carry and for my part I carry concealed. There was a guy in front of me at a convience store who was carrying open and it occurred to me how easily someone more deviant than me could easily have removed his firearm and proceeded with mischief and mayhem. I prefer the element of surprise that concealed gives me.

most of my life, and the only time I carried open was while hunting, or when my store was very warm.

I wish to have the advantage of my opponent not knowing I am armed. I think open carry negates that advantage and gives him/her too much advantage.

In the summer time I wear short sleeved multicolor shirts over a t shirt, open but covering my concealed gun. Works well for me.

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the world is round everywhere

I never want to surrender the advantage of surprise and that's what happens w/open carry, IMHO. There are no stats to support my "theory" and I fully support open carry where legal, but it's not something I would ever do.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

We now have both provisions in Wisconsin. This makes sense, since deer hunting is a big deal here, and many folks take to rural areas where no one cares.

I live near The Peoples' Republik of Madison. For many years we have had more communists here than live in Moscow. We have aging hippies here, many of whom still believe the Vietnam War is still raging.

I know of only one guy who carries openly. He's a parts guy at our bike shop. However, just to be polite, his automatic is locked up as he starts work, and an empty holster shows. No one cares.

I personally don't care how many folks know I carry concealed. I wear secure accouterments (hey, I got to use that word fiinally) that do not get in my way and are comfortable. Since my favorite coffee bar ajoins a food court, the baristas tell me they feel better when my wife and I show up. (Being very young, they all pack very sharp knives, duh.) Most customers do not know.

As of right now I only have one secure thumb break right-kidney holster. And truthfully, I switch jeans so much that just carrying the normal junk is a chore on wash day.

I believe that anything you carry should enhance your lifestyle, and right now concealed works better.

Looks like a sheep, be prepared like a sheepdog...

Andrew

I'm afraid Texas is becoming something other than what many might think. There are a number of different things at work here. I personally feel that if my weapon is concealed, it's MY business...but if I carry in the open, it seems like a lot of these new Texans think it's THEIR business. I know that isn't right, but it sure seems the way it is. I'll keep my powder dry and my weapon concealed.
Agreed , however, it would be correct to have the option.

AL - either is legal.

I carry concealed day in and day out - pocket 9. I carry open when I walk the woods/hunt - 44 SPC/45Colt Ruger BH or 1911. Occassionally will carry the BH or 1911 under an untucked shirt in the fall/winter.

If I had my complete druthers, I would carry a Ruger SA BH day in/out, open carry. Very comfortable with this gun/action/setup.

I am VERY particular about guarding my gun hand side to miscreants. NOTHING (open or concealed) ever goes on my right side except my gun. It is mental conditioning.

And I doubt that some dope head really wants to look down the artillery sized hole in a 44/45 SA. The SA, IMO, projects an image that I really don't give a *(&^, know what I am about and will defend myself, old school style. I don't think many know what a big SA is (and it ain't some dainty auto) and the intimidation factor will win the day. Just my opinion.

It has always been my opinion as well, that me presenting my firearm should be a surprise to whomever is gaping down the business end.

Like others, I'm surprised that open carry is illegal in Texas. What would the Duke say? Living in a state where technically it's not illegal, but letting it show could result in loss of license, I'd like to see open carry just to relieve that issue. It won't happen here, but hopefully it will happen some time in Texas. Which is where I will be next week.

Not to drift the thread, but how common is open carry in AL?

[QUOTE=GaryS;136791312]Like others, I'm surprised that open carry is illegal in Texas. What would the Duke say? Living in a state where technically it's not illegal, but letting it show could result in loss of license, I'd like to see open carry just to relieve that issue. It won't happen here, but hopefully it will happen some time in Texas. Which is where I will be next week.



In 46.035 the wording is "intentionally fails to conceal". Printing isn't an offense, brandishing is. Bear in mind, though, the overly excitable person can call the inexperienced LEO (God bless them) and "you can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride."
Enjoy your discreetly armed visit to the Lone Star State.

Just another opinion here, not looking for an argument...

I've mentioned before that open carry is generally a poor idea for a number of reasons. The Second Amendment and one's rights are certainly privileges to be enjoyed to the fullest, but only when tempered with discretion.

Some people, for a variety of reasons, are intimidated by firearms. While many of us may not understand such things, forced exposure to guns won't make these folks any more comfortable. Good PR benefits all responsible gun owners and open carry may not be the best way to achieve such a goal. Unfortunately, some open carry advocates' "rights at any cost" (or "ignorant and proud of it") mentality precludes the use of good judgement.

Open carriers may be in for rude and deadly awakenings in the form of situations they are ill-equipped to handle. Some citizens and some criminals may instinctively mistake an armed person for a police officer. Bonafide law enforcement personnel undergo extensive training and re-training with regard to serious matters like justifiable homicide. Civilian concealed carry courses are fine for their purpose, but in-depth training cannot be achieved in a few hours.

Concealed carry is a far better policy. Consult competent law enforcement personnel (a few goobers in that group, too) regarding their thoughts on the matter. Most will agree it's a poor idea to advertise the fact that one is armed.

I don,t even understand "Plain clothes" cops, who wear their badge and gun so every one can see it. He'll just stay in uniform then. Open carry in rural area, trails etc makes some sense to me, but in cities and congested areas it causes alarm. It should not cause alarm but it does, and in my opinion does more to unite the anti gun groups than concealed carry. Out of sight out of mind. This does not mean I believe open carry should be illegal, but I will never ever carry openly. Once as a cop, two thugs came at me with a tire iron. I was off duty and armed. My little model 36 looked like a cannon to them. They did not beat the ride nor the rap, and I didn't even have to shoot them. Both said they had no idea I was armed and were even more surprised I was a cop. It was not a good day for the,.

The biggest obstacles to OC in Texas has always been opposition from "our side". The NRA, TSRA and various pro-2A activists have never backed an OC piece of legislation that I know of. Even our esteemed, premier CHL state forum deems such talk as "tin foil hat conspiracy". Any mention of the idea is meet with a ton of condescending remarks from the moderator and theats of removal.

Face it, in Texas, the powers that be on our side want you to stay under your rock, be happy with what you have and thank them for it!

As of Nov. 1st Okla. became an open carry state. I have yet to see anyone doing it though. I think that like me, most still prefer to carry concealed. To me, the only advantage to having the open carry law is that if it becomes 'unconcealed', no problem with legallity.


Art

After Oklahoma gets a few years of (safe) open carry completed, I think we will see a legitimate open carry movement in Texas.

The biggest benefit to open carry is that is desensitizes the pansy public to the sight of guns on citizens. People have been so brainwashed by the media into thinking that if the public is permitted to carry a gun in the open, they will go into psychotic gesticulations of homicidal rage and shoot everyone within a 50 foot radius. Blood will flow in the streets and all the rubbish.

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Centennial Every Day

As I argue, in another thread on this subject, I would like open carry for the bradishing concerns.
I understand the attempt at compromise by the new Texas law, buttttttt, like all attempts at compromise, they never seem to work out and cause confusion, as has been pointed out above me. (that is ALMOST a world class run-on sentence, but I know I can do better.)
Concealment is an easier wear, if you don't make it impossible and open carry makes it reliably, possible.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

OPEN CARRY while legal in Ohio it is NOT RECOMMENDED, and I seldom see it.

1) It forfeits a possible tactical advantage.
2) It gives PERPS (probably multiple ones) a TEMPTATION and TARGET to take it from you.
3) Makes TOO MANY PEOPLE NERVOUS in many areas of the country and way TOO MANY 911 CALLS RESULT.
Too many 911 calls may be putting others needing the service at RISK.
4) Some communities might consider you WAY TO AGGRESSIVE by your open carry.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Heard in a gathering of attorneys in Austin: "Before there is "open carry" allowed in Texas, there will be a concentrated effort to enact a restriction on possesion of a handgun in Austin city limits."
...
I don't like it, but I don't doubt it.

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Halfway and one more step

I am all for laws allowing open carry. I would rarely carry openly but I am 100% in favor of everyone being able to carry how ever they want to, whatever they want to, wherever they want to!

It's interesting that Vermont is considered a "liberal" state (the legislature is almost completely blue) yet our constitution allows gun possession, oc or cc, your choice. Yet, with the exception of the shooting range, I can't remember the last time I saw someone oc. And I know many people who cc. I believe this has to do with the fact that Vermont has a long history of gun ownership, that possessing a gun is no big deal. And what gun violence we do have occurs primarily in our large (for Vermont) "cities" involving out-of-state imports and the drug trade. In listening to the problems of other states I realize how spoiled we are in the Green Mountain State. May it always be so.

While I would never open carry for many different reasons, I guess, sort of I can see the desire to "be able to" if you want to.

As for Texas, remember, it wasnt too long ago that they had some pretty bad gun laws.

Well, too many people on "our side" have the liberal mentality that if they don't like it, no one else should be able to do it! Their so worried about someone getting offended or feeling uncomfortable they can't have a discussion about common sense legislation to obtain it. And if it did pass they think other CHL holders are so stupid and wreckless that they could never OC responsibly and their rights might get jeopardized.

There's a big list of people I don't want armed, promise. Felons, mental patients, undocumented foreign nationals, just to generalise. A lot of youtube video posters...

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Halfway and one more step

TEXMEX
Really, it doesn't matter what you want or who you want---they are anyhow.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

You can always open or concealed carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in Texas. God bless Texas...

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Texas Rifle and Pistol

I live here and I don't care either way. If they allow it, I wouldn't open carry for all the reasons stated above.

The only thing I would want is modification(s) to the current laws such that an inadvertant 'flash' of any kind is NOT a Class C misd. - which I believe it is now. If I reach up to get something off the top shelf at the store and some little old lady sees the CCW, I don't want it to be a big deal.

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But then, what do I know?

Even though either type of carry is okay in Alaska, I rarely see anyone wearing a gun. When I say rarely, I mean maybe once a year, or less. As far as concealed, well, I wouldn't know. I will say that the last few times that I saw guys packing, they were dressed in camo, like they were headed out to the bush. Ironically, the last two road-rage incidents that resulted in death involved knives rather than guns.

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Why, I aughta.....

Personally im against open carry because 1st i think open carriers would be the first target. 2nd i think the majority of the public is anti gun and this would cause public outcry citing safety concerns and "omg he has a gun". Also you would be a target to leo who would really need to check you out justifiably, lastly you would see "no gun" signs popping up everywhere due to complaints. The no guns sign would then effect those who chose to conceal. Basicly just what Moonman said above Just my opinion though. Personally if i felt that unsafe in my neighborhood i would move. You can't always be there for you wife and kids.
Gl and have fun
dave

The law states "intentionally fails to conceal". The scenario you stated probably wouldn't be construed as "intentionally" but you never know. If CHL holders were allowed an open carry option there would be no question legally about a law being broken.

for about 60 years I have carried a gun concealed, and all of that time I have never felt the need to show the gun to people, and say HEY, I HAVE A GUN.

To each his own.

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the world is round everywhere

You've legally conceal carried a gun for 60 years? In Indiana?

Our only gun PAC is the TSRA. They are in lock-step with the NRA flavor of the month when it comes to gun freedoms. The NRA doesn't give a rats behind about open carry in Texas. Trying to carry concealed in the July heat is miserable. I only wish we had as good a state org. as Virginia. I would love to be able to open carry or sort of open carry in Texas. It is a RIGHT that Texas seems to sweep under the rug.

source of gun bags, Wholesale Central - Directory of wholesalers and wholesale products, good prices. Fanny packs, range bags etc.. I have a roma 7070 leather bag, available in , brown, black, small to large. I have the med. carry sw638-3, 5 in speed loader, soft holster in addition to the built in adjustible soft holster, leather clip on hoster, cell phone, wallet etc.. Quick opening, easy access. I wore this to a meeting and was suspected of carrying. Well how about that, now all I need is the bad guys being smart enough to leave me alone. Why carry the holsters in the pack, I may leave it in the truck and holster carry. It's with me at home out of site, this pack is with me most everywhere. Can be worn with or with out clothes, never tried it without I'll leave that to someone adventuress. Stay safe.

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rogerb

I'm not going to be their advocate. There's no reason for certain people to be legally allowed to carry.

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Halfway and one more step

Indiana, since 1970. Current lifetime Indiana License. Before that USAF, where I was designed gun carrier for my crew. Remember Indiana has had a permit system about 1934. Last, I did not say 100% legal all of the time--. Some places and states it is not legal to carry--but legal to get killed.

When I was in the military, things were pretty loose. I was on a combat crew in one job or another for more 19 years.

At any rate I am legal today.

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the world is round everywhere

I know it can be miserable when the temp and humidity get up there, but for me it is just dressing around the gun.

Shorts with BUG in pocket holster, primary IWB with T shirt under a bright open Hawaii type shirt.

Arizona is open carry, but in spite of the heat, I carry concealed when visiting there.

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the world is round everywhere

Self defense does not begin and end with a gun. There's this minor matter of tactics. To me, open carry just might attract a disarming attempt. How would you like staring down the barrel of your own .45 stuffed with the very best, high-tech rounds that all the guys here are raving about?

I'll snatch your gun, immobilize you and invite you to watch while I take certain liberties with your wife. Afterwards, I might then use the gun on both of you, depending on how I feel at the moment.

Sorry for coming on so strong but open carry is for neophytes who need to make a statement.

Open carry in my State is a NO-NO, but even if it were legal I think it is a bad idea. Kind of like wearing a shinny new solid Gold Rolex in a really bad neighborhood - asking for trouble IMHO. The ONLY time I have open carried is while Pheasant Hunting on 300 acres of private property and I'll sometimes carry a M63 (22 LR) for the Squirrel Brothers; no challenge in shooting them with a twelve gauge.

Other than that, it's concealed for me!

Chief38

Heck I wish we could just get concealed carry In Illinois/ anti-gunnois.

Eric

I'm not sure where they got his information. One of the largest gun dealers in the country is located in the middle of Austin, just a few blocks from UT. Rick Perry is a frequent visitor to this store, in fact one of the last times I was there he and his cronies were coming out of the store.

To say that I am not a fan of Rick Perry is a huge understatement, but we both carry firearms. The Ruger 380, known as the Coyote Killer, was named after Perry's incident while walking his dog. Apparently a coyote approached them, he pulled his Ruger, and shot the animal. The owner of the above mentioned gun shop called Ruger up and told them that they should name the Ruger 380 the Coyote Killer, which they did (they can see a buck when it's right in front of them).

If they banned gun carry in Austin, my what a boom it would be for Williamson and Hayes counties.

Can't do it.

"No governmental subdivision or agency may enact or enforce a law that makes any conduct covered by this code an offense subject to a criminal penalty."

That's a fancy way of saying if the State says it's legal, no city or county can outlaw it.

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Centennial Every Day

That's right. That's exactly what the law says...now.
I think the point my esquire friends were making was their opinion on whether open carry would be enacted. They were saying"slim odds". not trying to start an arguement.
Happy Thanksgiving, Texas is the best place I've ever lived. And I'm a native of eight generations.

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Halfway and one more step

....my mother in law

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