Texas Open Carry Update

moxie

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Almost 4 months into open carry here in Texas and I've yet to see a single person actually open carrying. Friends report the same.

I have seen 2 new postings of the new 30.07 sign prohibiting open carry. One at Panera Bread restaurant. The other at Candlewood Suites motel, both in Arlington, in between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Ho hum.
 
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Same thing here in KS. We have constitutional carry, I have not seen anyone carrying openly. UPDATE: I finally saw a fellow open carrying at a local pawn shop I frequent. We had a nice 20 minute conversation, but I never asked him why he carried openly. If the rest are like this guy, we will have no problem with it. He was safety oriented, and owned a number of firearms.
 
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I open carry here in Texas, everyday since 1 January. I have seen 3 others. Granted, I am right next to Fort Hood and that may have some significance.
 
I see it in Washington from time to time, although I'm never specifically looking for it.

I mostly carry indifferently (no concern for printing or inadvertent exposure) or transitionally (concealed to and from, then take jacket off inside).
 
Hopefully it'll cAtch on. I see it here frequently in ohio but then again it isn't new here
 
It's been legal my state for several years but it was not a common sight until very recently. As time goes by it will probably become a more common where you are too.
 
I'm in NH which has been open carry for a long time. Bill passed here recently for Constitutional carry too, but governor will likely veto, again. Anyway, very rarely do I ever see anyone open carrying. Almost never. When I do, it's in 'The Sticks'. Folks in the urban communities just draw too much attention to themselves by doing so. The 'uninformed' inevitably cry-wolf, the police are notified, and it's just a big hassle all the way around. Better off carrying concealed if you have the permit.
 
Here's an interesting aside on the subject. While I never see anyone open carrying, not yet, anyway, I do see the 30.07 sign from time to time. However, the aside I am about to note is even more interesting.

First, I am aware of an office of a medical laboratory company that is inside a medical building in Dallas with both a 30.06 and a 30.07 sign. The building itself has no sign. Thus, the two signs apply solely to the laboratory company.

Second, even more interesting, there is a county building here that had a 30.06 sign on its main entrance for years. That sign is now gone. However, in front of one small, upstairs, internal room that is used for hearings, in the nature of a courtroom for want of a better explanation, there now exists a 30.06 and a 30.07 sign. The application thereof is, therefore, limited solely to that one small hearing room.

On the first, main floor, in the lobby, there is an armed police officer. I asked her what she would do if someone entered the building carrying a handgun openly. Her reply? "Nothing."

Someone in the county decided to limit handguns to the hearing room only. Weirdest thing I ever saw in this context.
 
Almost 4 months into open carry here in Texas and I've yet to see a single person actually open carrying. Friends report the same.

I have seen 2 new postings of the new 30.07 sign prohibiting open carry. One at Panera Bread restaurant. The other at Candlewood Suites motel, both in Arlington, in between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Ho hum.

Saw my first at a barber shop yesterday. I think he left his jacket in the car and no one really seemed to notice or care... just as it should be.
 
I live south of DFW Airport and have seen 3 or 4 open carry not including myself. I have open carried several times and have had zero negative experiences..... none.
It is not have you seen them, it is, that we can if we choose. Give it time it will happen more and more as time goes by.
 
Here's an interesting aside on the subject. While I never see anyone open carrying, not yet, anyway, I do see the 30.07 sign from time to time. However, the aside I am about to note is even more interesting.

First, I am aware of an office of a medical laboratory company that is inside a medical building in Dallas with both a 30.06 and a 30.07 sign. The building itself has no sign. Thus, the two signs apply solely to the laboratory company.

Second, even more interesting, there is a county building here that had a 30.06 sign on its main entrance for years. That sign is now gone. However, in front of one small, upstairs, internal room that is used for hearings, in the nature of a courtroom for want of a better explanation, there now exists a 30.06 and a 30.07 sign. The application thereof is, therefore, limited solely to that one small hearing room.

On the first, main floor, in the lobby, there is an armed police officer. I asked her what she would do if someone entered the building carrying a handgun openly. Her reply? "Nothing."

Someone in the county decided to limit handguns to the hearing room only. Weirdest thing I ever saw in this context.

Not "weird". That county is complying with the Texas law. Governmental bodies can not ban licensed carry, open or concealed, except in very limited circumstances and a court room is one of the exceptions. Walker County has the prohibition signs at the court house door which in my opinion is not in compliance as there are a number of offices in the building that are not "court rooms" or hearing rooms.
 
On a trip to Austin about 6 weeks ago I saw two people open carrying-one in Home Depot and one outside a restaurant waiting to get in. My wife didn't notice either one. But I am tuned to be aware and like most folks she isn't.
 
Not "weird". That county is complying with the Texas law. Governmental bodies can not ban licensed carry, open or concealed, except in very limited circumstances and a court room is one of the exceptions. Walker County has the prohibition signs at the court house door which in my opinion is not in compliance as there are a number of offices in the building that are not "court rooms" or hearing rooms.

Bowzette is right. The courtroom, not the building, is what counts.

The Erath County courthouse is in compliance.

No signs at outer entrance. You can carry open or concealed in the offices there. But, there are 30.06 and 30.07 signs (no guns, open or concealed) outside the entrance to the courtroom itself, along with a metal detector, etc., and a guard when court is in session.
 
Here's an interesting aside on the subject. While I never see anyone open carrying, not yet, anyway, I do see the 30.07 sign from time to time. However, the aside I am about to note is even more interesting.

First, I am aware of an office of a medical laboratory company that is inside a medical building in Dallas with both a 30.06 and a 30.07 sign. The building itself has no sign. Thus, the two signs apply solely to the laboratory company.

Second, even more interesting, there is a county building here that had a 30.06 sign on its main entrance for years. That sign is now gone. However, in front of one small, upstairs, internal room that is used for hearings, in the nature of a courtroom for want of a better explanation, there now exists a 30.06 and a 30.07 sign. The application thereof is, therefore, limited solely to that one small hearing room.

On the first, main floor, in the lobby, there is an armed police officer. I asked her what she would do if someone entered the building carrying a handgun openly. Her reply? "Nothing."

Someone in the county decided to limit handguns to the hearing room only. Weirdest thing I ever saw in this context.

I believe the State Attorney General issued a letter regarding dual use buildings that they may not restrict concealed carry
in areas of the building not actually used for things like court
where it is restricted by state law, and if a city violates that
policy they can be fined by the State. I saw that in a post
somewhere, don't remember where.
 
Today, I finally saw someone openly carrying a pistol in Texas (other than at a gun show). It has been legal now for over 5 months. He was shopping for ammo at Academy just like I was.

No one said anything to him. It was a non-event.
 
Finally saw my first one on Fri. I was on the treadmill in my gym and in he walks. An old Vietnam vet like myself. M&P9c.
 
We've had open carry here in WV all of my life, I guess. And I'm no spring chicken. I wouldn't have to take my shoes off to count all the times I've seen folks actually open carrying, excluding police officers and security gaurds, and the like. We have "shall issue" concealed carry, and now we have "constitutional carry", as well. I think that pretty much anyone who wants to can carry a firearm, and we have had as far as I know, zero problems. Most folks like to conceal, I think so that they don't advertise that they are carrying...gives you the upper hand. Pretty much the way it should be. I carry everyday, and don't really think much about it, I put my revolver in one pocket and my wallet in another, and my keys and change and a pocketknife in another. Just the way I get dressed everyday.

Best Regards, Les
 
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Like many folks out there I perfer to remain concealed however I have been OC'ing more & more over the past 5 months and each time I feel a little bit more comfortable with the idea... I've OC'd at the Academy. waited in line with women & kids behind me... Nobody cared... I OC'd at wing stop & the staff & other customers said nothing... I've OC'd at our local CVS & Walgreen's store. I've been approached once by a older man at the Academy who congradulated me on exercising my 2A rights & recently I had a kid asked me if I was a "cop". (of course I said "no") I walked insidew my local subway & ate inside during the lunch rush... No second glances or stares... I even walked in my local cricket store to pay a bill.... Nada...

Our local Rudy's BBQ during the lunch rush consists of mostly LEO's & office workers, many with exposed sidearms. It's not uncommon to see a LE or plainclothes with a holstered sidearm at our grocery stores or fueling up. sometimes I get the impression that many people here just assume that a OC'er is a LEO & not think much about it...
 
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I've only seen one other person besides myself open carrying. We were on opposite sides of the same gas pump at a Buc-ee's on the way to Galveston. He and I had a nice chat...brothers in arms, so to speak. Turns out he had just come from across the freeway because the kid behind the counter at the other place asked him to leave...although the store was NOT posted in any way. He simply left his merchandise on the counter and walked out...pretty much what I'd have done if it had been me. I've seen a few 30.07 signs and only one or two 30.06 signs. In the summer, I generally wear a t-shirt with an open button down shirt over it, so depending on if there is a breeze or not, I may be open or I may be concealed. The one time I've been fully open was at the station where I normally buy gas. Nothing was said, but the guy behind the counter got real quiet when he saw my gun. I guess it's just gonna take time for some folks to get used to it.
 
I live 70-75 miles NW of Houston. While I most always CC, I usually see two or three people OC'n every week. Couple of times I've been in BBQ places where it looked like the local gun club was having a get-together. Asked both times, no planned event; just everyone showing off their favorite handguns.
 
I'd say most folks, and a long time before they're used to it.
To say that implies that Texans have some sort of gun phobia not suffered in any of the other states. If the freakshow we know as Seattle is used to it, why would it take Texas "a long time"?

Are you speculating based on some discomfort you have personally, or is there something else you can cite that provides the basis for this belief?
 
To say that implies that Texans have some sort of gun phobia not suffered in any of the other states. If the freakshow we know as Seattle is used to it, why would it take Texas "a long time"?

Are you speculating based on some discomfort you have personally, or is there something else you can cite that provides the basis for this belief?

Well, open carry has been illegal for over 100+ years and the dirtbags in the local (and national) news media have done nothing to allay the fears of those not used to being around firearms. It's only been reinstated for 6 months now, so it may take a bit of time. Also, we have a whole lot of people who aren't actually from Texas living here. They didn't necessarily grow up around firearms.

Back in the mid-1990s, when concealed carry first was passed here, the same hysteria and and fears were in play. Once people realized the truth that despite what the news *@$%!* said, there wasn't going the be gunfights and blood in the streets, it became a non-starter.
 
I OC more and more, that said, the only flak I get for doing so is from my wife.... she will just have to get over it. I have not had anyone say anything to me about it and have not experienced any undue scrutiny by doing so. Was at the local 7-11 a day ago... bought gas, Copenhagen, beer and Lotto tickets.... in walked 2 cops.... nothing, did not give me a second look. John, the clerk, made small talk while checking me out, held the door open for a couple of young women....... a bunch of to do about nothing. Texas will be just fine with the whole idea.
 
In the summer, I generally wear a t-shirt with an open button down shirt over it, so depending on if there is a breeze or not, I may be open or I may be concealed.

This is pretty much how I dress 95% of the time also. Jeans or shorts but always that unbuttoned shirt over a tee shirt. It's just on occasion (really depends on whre I'm going) that I'll OC... Went I met my wife at the cricket store her eyes got real big when she saw me Oc'ing my M&P shield. She asked me what is it I'm trying to prove & I told her that I had no idea of what she's talking about before proceeding to the Subway for lunch.... I told her its the law, I'm licensed and that was the end of it... Nobody else seemed to have an issue with it...
 
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