Alternate views of unlicensed carry not appreciated here - but here is one

[Coop45]

Been following this group for a few years - I think. Usually commenting on revolvers and the like. I stay away from the political side usually, because it is obvious from the responses here that differing view points are not appreciated. Texas Gun Talk is an echo chamber of sorts. We just want to read/hear what we believe and get attaboys for making inflammatory comments and the like. I get it.
But anyway, I have been a carry permit holder for at least 10 years. I have been a gun owner since sixth grade.
When it comes to the Second Amendment, I support it, but I accept that there are aspects of it that are open to interpretation. Most only cite the last part of the amendment - the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Rarely do I see a reference to the very first statement of the amendment - "A well regulated militia being necessary for a free state." That is definitely up for interpretation, at least in my mind.
And the right to bear arms is not a God-given right. Can't find that in the Bible anywhere.
With that being said, and I know many or most on this forum are already seething with rage if they have read this far, I am not a fan of unlicensed carry in Texas. The current system works well. Very well in my mind. Carry permit holders, as a class, are the most law-abiding group of citizens in the state statistically. When I encounter an open carry person, it is highly likely in my mind that the person has passed a couple of background checks when he bought his/her firearm and when he/her obtained their carry permit and likely a few times in between. Of course there is not guarantee of such or that the person is legally carrying his firearm on his hip. But I will imagine or hope for the better.
This Texas-based writer and a correspondent for the conservative magazine the National Review makes a lot of good points that open-minded gun owners should at least read.
Constitutional Carry - Maybe Not

This Texas-based writer and a correspondent for the "conservative" magazine the National Review makes a lot of good points that open-minded gun owners should at least read.

LOL! The National Review..conservative? LOL! Lost me there. Good try, Mitt!

 

[Axxe55]

Coyote I would respectfully suggest your G.D. find a different boyfriend - and it's NOT about guns. The gun problem is she is 18 and can't legally have one but he can. So basically you give it to him.
Tried to get my kid's H.S. principal on the phone only to find out he just got shot by gal who was ticked he suspended her son. It happens, no law will prevent it. Laws can only punish after the fact.

Popper that is incorrect. She can't, nor can the boyfriend legally purchase a pistol from an FFL dealer, but they can legally possess a gifted pistol in Texas. 18 for long guns, and 21 for pistols, per federal gun laws.

 

[Sasquatch]

Popper that is incorrect. She can't, nor can the boyfriend legally purchase a pistol from an FFL dealer, but they can legally possess a gifted pistol in Texas. 18 for long guns, and 21 for pistols, per federal gun laws.

Does Texas not allow pistols to be gifted at 18? I might have missed it, but Federal law still allows for those under 21 to possess/own a handgun, they just cannot buy from a licensed dealer. States can set the age of possession higher, at least until a SCOTUS ruling says they cannot, and some states have.

 

[TreyG-20]

I love threads like this. Flushes the commies out so my spreadsheet can be updated.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I was given my first pistol at age 7.

 

[Mike_from_Texas]

Well since she graduated a year early from high school, and can read and understand written statements without viewing them though biased lenses, then she is not retarded- MISTER- call me what you want but leave insults to my family out of it! She chose not to have a firearm around him, she made no decisions for anyone else. AND neither can YOU!

There’s a lot of difference between book sense and common sense and they aren’t mutual.

Regardless, SHE made that decision for herself as it should be; not some overlording government bureaucrat deciding for her.


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[AndrewBuda]

I love threads like this. Flushes the commies out so my spreadsheet can be updated.

Based! Make sure to get the one inside my TV set too.

 

[Axxe55]

Does Texas not allow pistols to be gifted at 18? I might have missed it, but Federal law still allows for those under 21 to possess/own a handgun, they just cannot buy from a licensed dealer. States can set the age of possession higher, at least until a SCOTUS ruling says they cannot, and some states have.

From my understanding of Texas laws, (granted I'm well over the age of 18, so I may not follow age restrictions very closely!) that a a person 18 or over may possess a handgun, if it's gifted or bought in a private sale. I mere provided the age restrictions per federal gun laws as to purchasing through an FFL.

 

[Mike_from_Texas]

I had a cousin killed in a gunfight when he was 14, I had a friend shot dead by accident when he was 11, I agree that Texas LTC class is a joke and provides little to NO training. I advocate real training for carrying :safety, liability, legally,and mechanics ; and prohibiting people with a history of violence from carrying firearms outside their homes (background checks). I have drawn and fired once in Dallas when attacked by 4 carjackers, I have drawn two more times in self defense and wished I had been armed on two other occasions when threatened by armed individuals and groups. I remember gunshows in the 70's and 80's where gunfire was a common occurrence, now it is rare- people can be taught indoctrinated.

Fixed it for you.





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[Sasquatch]

From my understanding of Texas laws, (granted I'm well over the age of 18, so I may not follow age restrictions very closely!) that a a person 18 or over may possess a handgun, if it's gifted or bought in a private sale. I mere provided the age restrictions per federal gun laws as to purchasing through an FFL.

Gotcha. Some states have started pushing gun ownership to 21 - that's why I asked. I'd hoped Texas wasn't going that route, but I had folks tell me that they changed the laws not long ago on stuff as silly as boat registration - adopting a left-coast attitude of "any motor makes you register it", when I was told it used to be under 10hp, no reg necessary. Then I read up, and found that if I get a canoe over 14 feet long, it has to be registered regardless if it has a motor or not. So I wasn't sure if Texas had been corrupted in regards to the age to possess a gun too.

 

[popper]

they can legally possess a gifted pistol in Texas. IIRC correct but cannot have it in public, which I may have erroneously presumed was the idea. My GKs don't carry when hunting private lands. But they do shoot pistol in presence of > 21 (parents). There is some rule about < 18 and access.
Kansas just reduced to 18 for C.C. for special cases.

 

[Axxe55]

Gotcha. Some states have started pushing gun ownership to 21 - that's why I asked. I'd hoped Texas wasn't going that route, but I had folks tell me that they changed the laws not long ago on stuff as silly as boat registration - adopting a left-coast attitude of "any motor makes you register it", when I was told it used to be under 10hp, no reg necessary. Then I read up, and found that if I get a canoe over 14 feet long, it has to be registered regardless if it has a motor or not. So I wasn't sure if Texas had been corrupted in regards to the age to possess a gun too.

Unless Texas has changed the laws, ANY person 18 or over can legally possess a handgun. They can't legally purchase at 18 from an FFL, but that is due to federal gun laws, and not Texas state laws. But also from my understanding, per Texas state laws,18 or over can purchase a handgun in private FTF sale.

 

[Sasquatch]

Unless Texas has changed the laws, ANY person 18 or over can legally possess a handgun. They can't legally purchase at 18 from an FFL, but that is due to federal gun laws, and not Texas state laws. But also from my understanding, per Texas state laws,18 or over can purchase a handgun in private FTF sale.

AS it should be! Once we get this constitutional carry thing ironed out, the next step would be to amend it to lower the age to legally carry to 18, allowing those adults who aren't old enough to buy tobacco or booze to still defend themselves at least!

 

[Axxe55]

AS it should be! Once we get this constitutional carry thing ironed out, the next step would be to amend it to lower the age to legally carry to 18, allowing those adults who aren't old enough to buy tobacco or booze to still defend themselves at least!

I'm curious, has anyone seen if either of the bills being discussed on Constitutional Carry have age restrictions?

 

[rotor]

if society required that those persons either pass a background check and get a minimum of training before concealing their weapon, then those who encounter them can see that the "idiot" is armed and maybe just maybe get the edge he/she needs if the situation goes hot.

You are assuming that because of a law that those people are not carrying now. Have you ever heard of the term criminal?

 

[Sasquatch]

I'm curious, has anyone seen if either of the bills being discussed on Constitutional Carry have age restrictions?

Texas HB1238 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature

Bill Text (2021-03-26) Relating to provisions governing the carrying of a firearm by a person who is not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm and to other provisions related to the carrying, possessing, transporting, or storing of a firearm. [Left pending in commi

legiscan.com

I just read thru it and I'm not seeing an age restriction, it just says anyone who may legally possess a handgun under state/federal law, so it seems that this applies to 18+!

 

[etmo]

Rarely do I see a reference to the very first statement of the amendment - "A well regulated militia being necessary for a free state." That is definitely up for interpretation, at least in my mind.

Then you're looking in the wrong place. 15 pages and nobody touched on this critical issue? Even the mighty TGT drops the ball from time to time.
The militia mentioned in the prefatory clause has been analyzed, and by no less than the only group on the planet whose interpretation actually matters -- the Supreme Court. The "militia" bit is often the first refuge of the anti-2A crowd, but only those who are behind on their Constitutional law.

It was about 13 years ago, maybe you missed it. A case called Heller vs DC.
SCOTUS ruled that the 2A protects an individual right to keep and bear arms divorced from any militia service. In fact, that statement was so important that it's the very first line in the holding!
"Held:
1. The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia..."

I am a native Texan

Is that you, Beto?

 

[Axxe55]

Texas HB1238 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature

Bill Text (2021-03-26) Relating to provisions governing the carrying of a firearm by a person who is not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm and to other provisions related to the carrying, possessing, transporting, or storing of a firearm. [Left pending in commi

legiscan.com

I just read thru it and I'm not seeing an age restriction, it just says anyone who may legally possess a handgun under state/federal law, so it seems that this applies to 18+!

Thanks Sasquatch. I didn't if there was an age restriction or if I had just missed reading it.

 

[Sam Colt]

Texas HB1238 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature

Bill Text (2021-03-26) Relating to provisions governing the carrying of a firearm by a person who is not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm and to other provisions related to the carrying, possessing, transporting, or storing of a firearm. [Left pending in commi

legiscan.com

I just read thru it and I'm not seeing an age restriction, it just says anyone who may legally possess a handgun under state/federal law, so it seems that this applies to 18+!

HB 1927 is the one that passed the Senate.

 

[FireInTheWire]

There’s a lot of difference between book sense and common sense and they aren’t mutual.

Seen that first hand. SIL finished top of her class, 4.0GPA @ Austin College, Learned German and finished her Bachelors.

Yard caught on fire one day and she called my wife freaking out asking what she should do. Wife calmly said "hang up the phone with me, call 911 and get the fire dept out there."

Super sweet girl. Super smart. Zero common sense.