Texas needs to catch up.

Status
Not open for further replies.
I live in a state that allows open carry. I have friends who only carry this way. Here's an PA opened carry story.
My friend was in line at a Turkey Hill to pay for his gas. He was open carrying a full size 1911. There was a couple from out of state in front of him and a state trooper behind him.
The couple sees his gun and they start to talk to each other. They get very antimated. The women then says to the trooper, "OFFICER, THAT MAN HAS A GUN!" The trooper smiles at my friend and says "he sure does". End of encounter.
I mostly carry concealed, but it's nice to live in a place that gives you the option to open carry if you want to.
 
I'm a Texan. We don't need to catch up to anybody, Mr. Elm Creek Smith. Most Texans prefer concealed carry and we are quite happy with the law the way it is.

Next time plan ahead. Check the laws and check the weather report.

The J-frame is very easy to carry in a front pants pocket with a cheap Uncle Mike's #3 holster. You could have made the switch very easily.
 
There are several western states (Utah, Nevada, Arizona) that allow open carry and you occasionally see people open carrying. But I agree with casualoffender, I want a BG looking at me to not know what I can do to him. If he sees that I am armed he can devise a scheme to neutralize that.

Probably easier to find another person, don't you think?
 
Even though I wouldnt do it, I'm not totally against open carry. I just personally feel more comfortable with mine concealed.

The important thing is to support our right to carry. Then do whatever you feel more comfortable with or appropriate for the situation. If open is taken away, concealed could be next.
 
I live in a state that allows open carry. I have friends who only carry this way. Here's an PA opened carry story.
My friend was in line at a Turkey Hill to pay for his gas. He was open carrying a full size 1911. There was a couple from out of state in front of him and a state trooper behind him.
The couple sees his gun and they start to talk to each other. They get very antimated. The women then says to the trooper, "OFFICER, THAT MAN HAS A GUN!" The trooper smiles at my friend and says "he sure does". End of encounter.
I mostly carry concealed, but it's nice to live in a place that gives you the option to open carry if you want to.

Amen! That's what I say. We should be able to carry either way, then you decide what's right for you.
 
I'm a Texan. We don't need to catch up to anybody, Mr. Elm Creek Smith. Most Texans prefer concealed carry and we are quite happy with the law the way it

WOW! I must have missed that survey. Did it say how many percent preferred concealed carry?

Maybe we should all just support our right to CARRY, period. Then you decide which way is right for you.
 
The point is, I'm telling the OP don't criticize another state's laws as an excuse for his lack of planning and preparation. Rude, at the very least.

In Texas, open carry is pushed by some. But most (no survey, but come down here and ask around and you'll see) are comfortable with concealed. Especially since the law was recently tweaked to eliminate problems with inadvertent exposure.
 
All of them! Are you sure? Of course not. Everyone has different preferences and laws can vary. Around here I see a number carrying Open when off duty.
Sorry... I thought we were discussing In Texas... Not GA ;)
 
Yeah, that's why all the police carry concealed...

ECS

If you honestly don't see any difference between a uniformed police officer carrying his sidearm in a duty rig along with his radio, taser, pepper spray, baton, body armor, camera and everything else cops carry these days and a private citizen carrying his handgun on his hip, you've got bigger issues than how best to carry concealed.

Your "that's why all police carry concealed" attempted comparison is ludicrous because there is no comparison.
 
While I strongly support open carry being legal, I have never, and will never refer to it as a good decision*** (outdoor activities excepted). I am sad that we do not have the liberty to do so, but I do believe that mainly the "show-offs" would carry openly given the choice.... I also believe that these folks may learn the value of discretion a bit quicker than they otherwise would have.

I do know that open carry taxes an already overburdened police force, and we can go round and round about cops who harass carriers, but I think any responsible LEO would check up on a person open carrying... this takes their limited time away from the real work, which they seem to never have a lack of....

Its a true double edged sword.... I feel like a politician typing this LOL....


***insert "if concealed carry is a viable option"
 
Last edited:
I recently met a retired LEO that privately helps new recruits (and vets, I suppose) qualify with their duty guns. He told me that he uses their time on the range together to teach them the gun laws of PA, as most of them aren't up to snuff on them. It sounds like a lack of training on a subject that is going to become more frequent in the coming years.
 
Was gonna add my $0.02, but why bother? There's no getting thru to either side in this always contentious debate.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top