It’s not just because Abortion Barbie has come out in favor of it. She’s just matching AG Greg Abbott’s support for it in their campaigns for governor.
I think they’re both wrong, but especially Abbott, the only one of the two who has a prayer of being elected. Maybe he’ll wise up after he’s safely in the governor’s mansion. He’d have to convince the Legislature and they don’t meet again until 2015. They had an opportunity to do it in 2013 and didn’t take it.
The Texas Firearms Coalition favors it, but with a measure of concern:
“If open-carry does pass, it is incumbent upon those Texans exercising this option to be extraordinarily polite and courteous so as to allay the fears of those who, for the first time in their lives, will see people [other than police] openly carrying handguns.
“For sixteen years, our fellow Texans have been walking with, sitting next to, and eating among, hundreds of thousands of armed, law-abiding CHL’s [Concealed Handgun Licensees]. Those choosing to openly carry a handgun should view themselves as ambassadors for those Texans who chose to continue to conceal their self-defense handguns.”
The trouble is that not everyone displaying a pistol will be polite. Concealed carry doesn’t intimidate anyone. Open carry is automatically intimidating and that intimidation will cause trouble. Most likely a shootout on the street between two open-carry people who don’t like each other and seeing each other openly-armed will encourage them to get it all out in the open.
Late 19th century city marshals and police chiefs in Texas routinely required people (usually men) packing revolvers to leave them in their saddlebags or check them at the police office until they were ready to leave town. It saved a lot of problems, specifically deadly shootings.
I support concealed carry, which makes a lot of sense to me and apparently to many thousands of other Texans. Displaying handguns on the hip or in a shoulder holster on the street is a big difference and not a good one.
Hopefully, the Legislature will recognize that and refuse to allow it.
UPDATE: Open carry draws a mixed response on the Texas CHL Forum, who say CHL is approaching 800,000 in Texas. They do seem to agree that carrying rifles into stores as some sort of 2nd Amendment demo is stupid.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
WOW, I find it incredible that you truly believe that two people exercising their right to Open Carry would shoot it out in the street. Hasn’t happened in other states; so are you saying your fellow Texans have less control, less restraint, less respect for the law than other states?
This is the same rubbish that was spouted when Concealed Carry was passed. The blood in the streets argument hasn’t came true in nearly 20 years. I doubt that Open Carry is going to be an different.
Late 19th century city marshals and police chiefs in Texas routinely required people (usually men) packing revolvers to leave them in their saddlebags or check them at the police office until they were ready to leave town.
So because previous law enforcement violated our rights to carry; we should keep up that tradition?
Help me understand that philosophy. I simply don’t get that.
Open carry is automatically intimidating and that intimidation will cause trouble.
I think there is some confusing between intimidation and fear. Intimidation is something I do, an Action, an impression, etc. Fear is what someone feels based on their own perception of the events, person, etc.
I’m 6’2″ 225# – Several times people have told me they felt ‘intimidated’ simply by my presence, my size. Should I not go out in public because of the irrational fear of others?
Why should Open Carry be any different?
Open Carry is intended to be intimidating. There is no other good reason for it. Thanks for the comment.
Mr. Stanley,
With all due respect; BUNK!
Open Carry is more comfortable then Concealed Carry. Open Carry is better for those who have some disabilities; like amputations.
Open Carry is better for those who may have one armed occupied by carrying a child.
Open Carry also makes sense for people with some medical conditions. Like Asthma. I have Asthma and the heat created by the cover garment required to keep concealed in the summer can aggravate that condition.
And are police officers trying to be ‘intimidating’ when they open carry? If so who are they trying to intimidate?
Respect is the price of commenting here. I’m not persuaded by your reasons, but they are interesting.
Mr. Stanley,
I believe I replied with the same level or more respect than you showed. To lump all advocates or practioners of Open Carry under the umbrella of ‘intending to be intimdating’ is insulting and rude.
It is also baseless.
Not mentioned but also very much an aspect of Open Carry is some people, CRIMINALS, might be scared off by Open Carry. More importantly Open Carry combined with Concealed Carry creates more doubt in the mind of criminals. IF they see one person Openly Carrying; how many around a carrying concealed. The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” exists for a reason. Shouldn’t we do all we can to reduce crime?
I may never persaude you to adopt the practice of Open Carry. What I would like to do is persaude you not to stand in the way of those who want to exercise their rights openly, honestly and legally.
Bob S.
3 Boxes of BS
I’m not standing in your way or accusing you, personally, of anything, so please watch the capital-letter “shouting.” Keep it civil and you’re welcome to keep commenting here. This is my house and I make the rules.
I’m simply opposed to open carry of firearms in Texas by anyone except a peace officer. I couldn’t care less what people do in other states. I know concealed carry folks who wear light-weight shirts (when they’re not wearing a suit jacket) so I don’t see your asthma argument. Furthermore, there are concealed-carry holsters (see any issue of American Rifleman) which look like large smartphone cases which can be worn openly on the hip. The flap is held down by velcro. The disability argument may, indeed, persuade some pols since they’re supposedly concerned about disabled rights.
I think many open-carry advocates (I’m not accusing you, personally) simply want to look dramatic. Open carry would frighten many, many people and, because they’ll be distracted by all the visible guns, make the cops much more nervous and more prone to shoot than they already, unfortunately, are.
Open carry would insert a whole new level of tension in Texas society. Unnecessary tension to my mind, since concealed carry adequately provides for self-defense—if that is the intention of carrying arms to begin with.
What would be next after open-carry of pistols? Wearing swords? They’re also “arms.”
Dick,
I had a Texas CHL for many years. My decision to not renew it coincided with Texas’ clarification of weapons in vehicles and my retirement from Shiny Shoe World. Just one less database to appear in. Open Carry might work but I could care less. When I play cards, I don’t lay ’em face up on the table. That would be silly! I go armed for personal reasons; not as a political statement or fashion accessory.
Heh. Thanks for the comment, Andy. Yes, I try to stay out of databases as well. That’s especially good advice nowadays. My understanding of firearms in vehicles is they have to be unloaded, with the ammo in some other place in the vehicle away from the pistol or long gun. That would certainly slow down self defense.
Texas Law for weapons on vehicles was clarified a few years back and is now CRYSTAL clear. The weapon has to be concealed from sight. That is it. Nada mas. Mostly pertaining to handguns, they can be loaded and in the center console, or glovebox or under the seat. You can put a loaded 45 Auto in the passenger seat and put a newspaper over it. It has to be concealed from view. Nothing more. You may also carry it concealed from the vehicle to your home or motel room. You MAY NOT conceal it on your person a any other time unless you are a CHL holder.
When they clarified the law Dick, I gave up the CHL because having a loaded gun in my vehicle at all times served my needs.
Thanks for the update, Andy. That does, indeed, make a big difference.
Mr. Stanley,
One word capitalized to rebut your ridiculous statement is hardly uncivil. I am always amazed how the ‘respect’ issue seems to be one way with my people opposed to the free exercise of our rights.
You feel free to insult and libel people, then get your feelings out of joint over a single ‘shouted’ word. The concept of you get what you give comes to mind.
There are many people who do wear light weight shirts. I’m one of them. Ever notice the color of those shirts? Most of them aren’t white or very light colors. People who Conceal Carry tend to wear darker colors to make sure the firearm doesn’t show through. Until the last legislative session; if a person was able to discern the presence of the firearm, it was a crime.
Those cover garments also tended to be worn over another shirt. Some holsters are worn inside the waist band — sweat and tension can create problems so people provide another barrier.
The biggest issue is the opposition to the idea based on ‘intimidation’. I think there is a major problem with that idea; the correct premise is ‘some people will fear anyone Openly Wearing a firearm. (bold for emphasis). To me intimidation is a deliberate act on my part or others; fear is the response a person has to a stimulus. I can’t control what other people fear. Nor should the exercise of my rights be limited based on what other people simply fear.
See this is the same argument that was made when Texas went to Concealed Carry. People feared the license holders would suddenly snap, would have gun fights over parking spots, etc.
Given that the Texas DPS tracks convictions of license holders and those conviction have never been above 0.5% of all convictions; it isn’t obvious that fear was unfounded?
Just like your current fears?
Bob S.
I don’t fear open carry, Bob. I just think it’s unnecessary, and counterproductive socially, for all my aforestated reasons. Some people will fear it where they don’t now fear concealed carry because they can’t see the gun. Concealed carry has been very successful in Texas, as you point out, and in fact it is proliferating around the country, according to a post I saw on the Volokh Conspiracy the other day. Wish I’d bookmarked it.
Absolutely correct it is proliferating. As is Open Carry and what is called Constitutional Carry — no licensing required for either Open or Concealed Carry.
All 50 states are now required to allow some form of Concealed Carry. Illinois is dragging their feet trying not to implement it but they are processing applications now. California’s San Diego county just lost a major court case regarding their “May Issue” process where a person has to show “just cause” — above and beyond ‘self defense’ in order to get a permit.
Mr. Stanley – please understand I’m not saying you fear Open Carry – What I’m saying is the intimidation you cite isn’t a deliberate action on the gun owner’s part. The fear is the reaction of some people and that fear is not a legal, moral or ethical reason to restrict the carry of firearms to only concealed carry. Though out time people have feared many things; the disabled, the different, the new. Heck, as I’ve said, people have expressed fear simply because of my size. Have you ever had a woman express fear because of your presence as a male or another male’s presence?
Should we have to hide because of that irrational fear?
Isn’t it time for people to move past the fear of an inanimate object?
I would “open carry” if I didn’t have to have a permit, and get on another damn government list.
Of course the weapons displayed by the cops are intended to intimidate. No question about that.
Far as running gunbattles in the streets…hell, let’s go for it. Too many damn people running around anyhow, and too many of them from California and Yankeedom. Those would likely be the first to go down.
Yep. I can see the Californicators throwing down on each other soon as they got the chance. They already drive too aggressively for my taste. Whatever happened to the Drive Friendly signs? Haven’t seen one of those in a while.
I think open carry tactically is not too bright. If there are folks around who are out to steal weapons, they have the advantage of surprise and ambush on an open carrier (think of the policeman in Boston, for example). If a restaurant is held up, who is going to shot in the back of the head by the robber’s backup? It is not good to make yourself a target. Politically, I don’t think it would be a benefit. I know of some folks I respect, who think it is a good idea, but I don’t.
I had an Asian instructor who said if people asked him if he knew Karate, he always said “no”, because if they knew, and they wanted to attack him, they would use a 2×4 or a knife or other such weapon. I agree with Andy about the laying out of all of your cards.
If a officer doesn’t regard anyone he or she contacts (see, not genderist, or sexist, whichever is correct) as armed or potentially armed, whether there is legal CCW or not, he or she is either ignorant or foolish. But still, why raise the level of tension in a encounter with law enforcement or anyone?
I thought most of the anti-handgun rules of the later 1800’s was because of occupation or “reconstruction” government, but I will defer to Mr. Stanley.
What is it about hitting “Post Comment” that makes all the misteaks appear and after such careful proof reading too.
Heh. Just fate, I suppose.