HB2756 Open Carry

[zembonez]

I support legal open carry 100% even though I would not personally want to do it in an urban environment. Licensed open carry is a start.

For the record, I'm certainly in favor of it passing.

 

[wllmwallace]

We recently had two police cars parked in front of our house to deal with a domestic disturbance two houses down the street. I open carry on my property as is my right, and was told, yes, TOLD, not asked, by one of the officers if I minded putting away my pistol. I politely told him "No, thank you, I am well within my rights as a home owner and taxpayer, and I do this in support of the Second Amendment." He then proceeded to try to explain to me that I could be percieved as a threat, and could be dealt with accordingly. I then explained to him that I was well within my rights, and he may need to call the DA's office to clarify before attempting to disarm me, or coming onto my property with no warrant, call of imminent danger, or probable cause. He got into his car, was on a cell phone for about 10 minutes, exited his vehicle and asked if he could talk to me. I came out into my yard, and he started asking questions he had no clue about. I explained I was by no means an expert, but how I interpreted and understood todays carry laws. We had a nice chat for about 20 minutes and both went away peaceably. I was very happy that an officer sought education and was open minded enough to hear me out. He made valid points himself about the positives and negatives, but in the end conceded that I was well within my rights, and he personally felt that open carry for all Texans was a good idea in theory, if not in practice. It will be interesting to see what happens if (when) this passes. "Fingers Crossed"

 

[Fisherman777]

need to just give them a a bunch of money and migrate to the secret subforum

LOL - We're all talking about these kind of things on the LSCDL forums, most of which the public (especially the anti's) can't see. We aren't keeping our light under a bushel but there are things that need to be talked about privately. Things that we'll then do publicly. Hope that made sense. Anyway, join up with all of the other folks at LSCDL and help us to implement "the next step(s)".

The rest of this post, I'll post over there and I really have a good reason so don't shout me down brothers and sisters. Alan, I'll PM you with the rest so you'll see why I don't post it here.

It's such a hoot... text, text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text...

 

[MR Redneck]

We recently had two police cars parked in front of our house to deal with a domestic disturbance two houses down the street. I open carry on my property as is my right, and was told, yes, TOLD, not asked, by one of the officers if I minded putting away my pistol. I politely told him "No, thank you, I am well within my rights as a home owner and taxpayer, and I do this in support of the Second Amendment." He then proceeded to try to explain to me that I could be percieved as a threat, and could be dealt with accordingly. I then explained to him that I was well within my rights, and he may need to call the DA's office to clarify before attempting to disarm me, or coming onto my property with no warrant, call of imminent danger, or probable cause. He got into his car, was on a cell phone for about 10 minutes, exited his vehicle and asked if he could talk to me. I came out into my yard, and he started asking questions he had no clue about. I explained I was by no means an expert, but how I interpreted and understood todays carry laws. We had a nice chat for about 20 minutes and both went away peaceably. I was very happy that an officer sought education and was open minded enough to hear me out. He made valid points himself about the positives and negatives, but in the end conceded that I was well within my rights, and he personally felt that open carry for all Texans was a good idea in theory, if not in practice. It will be interesting to see what happens if (when) this passes. "Fingers Crossed"

I have been in the mix of all kind of police encounters while open carrying. Most of them was due to some asshole breaking some kind of law around here. One of the most extreme situations was when I hunted a drunk POS down with my dog. " He ran his PU into a house down the road from me and broke down in front of my place". He took off on foot and when I learned what happened, me and the dogs went and found the POS. I held him at gun point until the deputy showed up. The deputy never even said a word other than " would you make a report". I walked my dog back to my place and as I went through the gates I was going to put my 12 gauge and pistol away. The DPS guys ask where was I going and said they need me to make a report. I told em I was putting my guns up. " Do that later they said."
Hell one of them fell in love with my HiCap 1911. He never seen one I guess. I was pleased they had such a good attitude about guns because my experiance with city cops hasnt been too pleasant.
I get pretty offended when LE treats a person with a gun as if their some kind of criminal. Thats the one issue that will keep gun carry citizens from carrying defense weapons. I strongly encourage LE and citizens involvement with all self defense and gun rights.

 

[matefrio]

Just caught a spot on the top of the hour news on AM 700 KSEV that a local group was pushing the open carry bill.

 

[matefrio]

And, so it begins: House committee approves open carry of handguns | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Starting a thread just for news reports for the fun of it.

 

[M. Sage]

I just got asked what I thought about this bill. Here you go:

I like the idea I won't need to worry or compromise in carrying a gun as much as I do now. I've felt compelled to invest in smaller guns that are not as easy or pleasant to shoot and are in calibers I wouldn't normally chose because they need to be concealed.

When this bill passes I plan on doing this in a way where it's not in your face or very noticeable just more comfortable to me with a larger gun I'm more proficient with and a caliber I'm more comfortable with depending on.

I look forward to the educational opportunities that will present themselves while OCing. For better or worse as a gun enthusiast I'll just enjoy seeing what everyone else is carrying as it provides me with some insight to their person like a car enthusiast looks at what kind of car people drive.

I'm thinking that my own style would be more along the lines of "quasi-concealed". Shirt hanging over the top part of the handgun, but the bottom of the holster visible. Most people won't be observant enough to notice...

 

[ConnRadd]

Personally, I would like to have the option of concealement and open carry. Certain areas I've been in and work, showing the local neighborhood thugs that I have a gun will make them think twice before they mess me. Kind of like having security signs and cameras on your house. Why mess with someone if you know they have the means to fight back with deadly force?
But, I can see where open carry can cause a bit of shock to the general public. Walking around in a busy place with a lot of people (like a mall), I would keep my pistol hidden.

 

[nalioth]

Personally, I would like to have the option of concealement and open carry. Certain areas I've been in and work, showing the local neighborhood thugs that I have a gun will make them think twice before they mess me. Kind of like having security signs and cameras on your house. Why mess with someone if you know they have the means to fight back with deadly force?
But, I can see where open carry can cause a bit of shock to the general public. Walking around in a busy place with a lot of people (like a mall), I would keep my pistol hidden.

If nobody open carries, how will the public come to realize that guns (and their owners) aren't "evil"?

 

[ConnRadd]

Also to add:
With open carry creating shock with some; just imagine a business or restaurant owner that service to the general public having to deal with people getting upset because someone has their gun out on their hip for all to see. So does the owner ask the gun owner to conceal? Or tells the other patron to shut their pie-hole and mind their own business?
Although the business owner may not mind if you have a gun on their property, but I would give them both the respect and have my weapon concealed.

 

[ConnRadd]

If nobody open carries, how will the public come to realize that guns (and their owners) aren't "evil"?

Just the same as me telling my wife that owning a snake will convince her that snakes are harmless and fun to own. It will never happen!
No matter what you say or do, certain people will never accept the fact that guns and gun owners aren't "evil".

 

[KAK]

Great deal!!!

Oh and the Nays are brain dead hippy bastards.

 

[The Lox]

I'm thinking that my own style would be more along the lines of "quasi-concealed". Shirt hanging over the top part of the handgun, but the bottom of the holster visible. Most people won't be observant enough to notice...

Will that be allowed? Back in KS it was either one or the other, no in the middle. I personally would prefer the middle ground.

 

[KAK]

If the law forbade it OC would be worthless to allot of us who agree with Mr Sage.

 

[nalioth]

Just the same as me telling my wife that owning a snake will convince her that snakes are harmless and fun to own. It will never happen!
No matter what you say or do, certain people will never accept the fact that guns and gun owners aren't "evil".

It's not the diehard gun-haters I'm concerned with.

It's the fence-sitters and media-brainwashed ones that I'm referring to . . .

 

[Wolfwood]

Yes, thats what it is, and it's a start to something.
It's a lot better than sitting around bitching about shit and not doing nothing.

thats apparently what has been going on. this bill is the proof.

not doing nothing is a good thing.
Ie- doing something.

 

[SiscoKid]

I like this bill, even though I would not OC. I still prefer to NOT let some thug know what I have inside my pants. (women either)

That said, this will create some interesting scenarios. Will Walmart do any different? I recall when CCL came out, at first Walmart had a No/Gun sign, then when nasty words were written about them, they removed them. Most businesses today have that sign, "Must be a CCL holder ...". I like that, it protects them too.

What will churches do when someone comes to church in a nice suit with a big hogleg strapped on? I can guarantee you the Pastors will have a hissy. There will be new signs designed, the legislature will have to come up with another sign bill.

Doctor's offices. Oh NO!!! Hospitals? Never. McDonalds? All the auto dealers have signs now, people get really whizzed off when they get screwed by a salesman. Hey, maybe it will make them be a bit more "honest".

I STILL think the Campus Carry bill was more important. There the potential for a mass murder is real. Every nutjob and whacko still knows he can get away with "mass" murder there.

Change is always hard at first. Hopefully this will come out, like the weapons, just fine.

 

[Dcav]

^^ After the initial shock factor I don't think people will freakout about it. But time will tell.

 

[MR Redneck]

^^ After the initial shock factor I don't think people will freakout about it. But time will tell.

I really dont think there will even be much of a issue at all. Sure your going to have people give you the " OMG" comment now and then, but thats just how it goes. If your not breaking the law, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Curt 58]

Also to add:
With open carry creating shock with some; just imagine a business or restaurant owner that service to the general public having to deal with people getting upset because someone has their gun out on their hip for all to see. So does the owner ask the gun owner to conceal? Or tells the other patron to shut their pie-hole and mind their own business?
Although the business owner may not mind if you have a gun on their property, but I would give them both the respect and have my weapon concealed.

I was in Montana last summer on a Motorcycle Trip (rode the Continental Divide Rounte on a Dual Sport) and we stopped in a town for lunch. Sorry, I don't remember which town. I knew Montana was an Open Carry State, but the fact had slipped my mind. Anyhow, here my friends and I are eating lunch and these 5 guys came in all with a sidearm on their sides. I looked around to the other patrons to see what their reaction was and nobody even flinched. A few looked over and saw the handguns the young men had on them, but nobody even took a second look. Some would smile a little! Other just gave it a look and back to their table’s conversation. I noticed that these guys had nice leather holsters with some fancy ornamental trim. My first thought was, NICE Holster. I wish I could carry mine in a nice rig like that. My handgun was in a side pocket in my Cargo Riding Pants.

Not sure how long it took for the Citizenry to accept the sight of a handgun, but it was a nice experience for me.
When I read about this bill, that Restaurant in Montana came to mind!
I hope this passes as I would like to be able to feel as comfortable as I was in that Restaurant knowing that anyone who wanted to come inside it for trouble wouldn't get far once they saw how many patrons were armed.

I prefer to have mine concealed, but would like the option should I ever find a nice holster!