Wishing for open Carry in Texas.

[K38]

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

 

[GKC]

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!

 

[maddog909]

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.

 

[GLV]

I have been carrying

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.

 

[Old cop]

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.

 

[The Tourist]

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.

 

[andrewb70]

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

Andrew

 

[Old TexMex]

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.

 

[Oscarflytyer]

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.

 

[gm272gs]

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.

 

[GaryS]

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.

AL - either is legal.

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

 

[Old TexMex]

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.

 

[rockquarry]

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.

 

[jtpur]

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,.

 

[JFerg]

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!

 

[V-35]

Open Carry

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

 

[photoman]

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.

 

[williamlayton]

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

 

[Moonman]

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.

 

[Old TexMex]

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.