texas open carry movement!!!!!!!!!!

[sam8887]

hey yall!

I am not associated with the making or publicity of this petition, but I am trying to make it as known as possible to everyone that is a texas resident.
A petition has been made (if you dont already know) and is getting thousands of signitures every day by texas residents about having the right to carry our pistols in plain sight. Texas is one of ONLY 6 states that do not allow state residents to openly carry a pistol. Texas is very proud of the concealed handgun law we have, but now its time to take things to a new level.
this is the link to the web page where we can all sign to get this thing passed. OpenCarry.org - A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost!

Lets get this thing moving!!!
53,558 so far!

lets see these numbers go through the roof!!

 

[JKTex]

Yep, there are numerous threads regarding open carry, the site, the petition and even more opinions and comments and suggestions.... you get the idea.

 

[txinvestigator]

If the petition was not full of lies and misleading statements I might even sign it.

But hey, the left does it, so I guess we can too.

 

[photofreeman]

To: Texas State Legislature and Texas Governor Rick Perry

We hold that all citizens who may lawfully purchase a handgun be allowed to carry openly in public in the State of Texas except for those places prohibited by law. We also call for state preemption of all handgun laws concerning open carry in Texas.

1. Every individual has the right and responsibility to defend their self against unjustified threats of death or serious bodily injury.

2. The Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.

3. Criminals are not deterred by rules, regulations, and laws forbidding the possession of weapons. A man bent on mass murder will not be stopped by a rule forbidding him to have a gun.

4. It is well known that the requirement to conceal a handgun for the purpose of protecting self, friends, and family can be difficult especially in Texas with our extreme heat since a person will usually have to wear a jacket to properly conceal a handgun and to avoid "printing."

5. The requirement to conceal a handgun can make it difficult to draw the weapon should the life of the carrier or the life of someone else be in danger.

6. A criminal will not open carry a weapon because he does not want to draw attention to himself. We believe that a citizen openly carrying a handgun lawfully will be a deterrent for crime.

7. Ten states including Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, and Wyoming all allow open carry of handguns without a license. Twelve states including Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, and Tennessee allow open carry of handguns with a license. In fact, Texas is one of only SIX states in the entire United States that completely bans open carry of handguns.

8. In these states, Open carry is very common and it does not alarm law enforcement or other citizens.

For the foregoing reasons, we residents of the State of Texas affirm and assert that all citizens who may lawfully purchase a handgun be allowed to carry openly in public in the State of Texas except for those places prohibited by law. We also call for state preemption of all handgun laws concerning open carry in Texas.
Sincerely,

I'm sorry, the lies in the above are where?

 

[JKTex]

Well, I see some misleading and also weak and maybe even cheesy.

But the idea has value.

 

[midnightrider]

If open carry was legal, how does one distinguish between a lawful citizen carrying a side-arm openly and a BG doing the same?

I have no problem with CCW summer, winter, spring, or fall, so quit using those of us who CC as your poster child for Open Carry.

Sorry, but some of the reasoning in the petition just sounds moronic. Why not just say I have a right to carry period and not try to come up with excuses for needing to doing so.

 

[JKTex]

If open carry was legal, how does one distinguish between a lawful citizen carrying a side-arm openly and a BG doing the same?

I have no problem with CCW summer, winter, spring, or fall, so quit using those of us who CC as your poster child for Open Carry.

Sorry, but some of the reasoning in the petition just sounds moronic. Why not just say I have a right to carry period and not try to come up with excuses for needing to doing so.

The likely hood of a BG open carrying is small, but it's a good point. It could mean a lot of hassle.

And I see your point about the reasons and using CC as a "poster child" but I think a lot of the people behind and supporting it are CHL holders. I for one don't see many appropriate times to open carry, but I'd like that choice, and the elimination of the inconvenience of all the care it takes to properly conceal.

I actually went out to dinner the other night and tucked in my shirt. But I wore a jacket and had to wear it through dinner. In that case, it wasn't a big deal, but I would have preferred to take it off. And the fact is, I doubt anyone would have noticed anyway. But I would have liked to have not had to worry about the legal issues of taking my jacket off, although the social issues will never go away. People will be "alarmed".

 

[Fisherman777]

I read something in another thread about licensed open carry. I hate the idea of having to get a license for a right that we already have as citizens. One arguement for licensing is for the police to be able to tell the GB's from the BG's. Well, that's easy. The GB's haven't committed any crimes and are allowed to carry and it's the opposite for the BG's. Easy! Don't put the burden on us. Put it back on the criminals. They are the ones with a record. That will be their license to "Not" carry. I know. I hope someone gets my point through all my rambling.

I for one don't see many appropriate times to open carry, but I'd like that choice, and the elimination of the inconvenience of all the care it takes to properly conceal.

I actually went out to dinner the other night and tucked in my shirt. But I wore a jacket and had to wear it through dinner. In that case, it wasn't a big deal, but I would have preferred to take it off. And the fact is, I doubt anyone would have noticed anyway. But I would have liked to have not had to worry about the legal issues of taking my jacket off, although the social issues will never go away. People will be "alarmed".

I agree and this is why I want the option of open carry too. Sometimes it's more convienient when you can get away with it without alarming people.

I think the Open Carry org in addition to wanting to be able to open carry, wants to make a statement by open carrying in front of the masses. It's to expose them to the fact that we have the right and to get more on board. But while I agree with spreading knowledge, that statement should be made carefully so as not to make us look like characters from a cheap western. The knowledge that we want to spread should be the real reasons that we carry and that it will not turn society into the wild west with duels in the streets and shooting our neighbor over some stupid argument. How about "Responsible Open Carry dot org"?

Am I making any sense at all?

 

[JKTex]

I agree and this is why I want the option of open carry too. Sometimes it's more convienient when you can get away with it without alarming people.

I think the Open Carry org in addition to wanting to be able to open carry, wants to make a statement by open carrying in front of the masses. It's to expose them to the fact that we have the right and to get more on board. But while I agree with spreading knowledge, that statement should be made carefully so as not to make us look like characters from a cheap western. The knowledge that we want to spread should be the real reasons that we carry and that it will not turn society into the wild west with duels in the streets and shooting our neighbor over some stupid argument. How about "Responsible Open Carry dot org"?

Am I making any sense at all?

Whoa, whoa, whoa!!!!!! What planet did you just fly in from? No one is supposed to be logical and talking sensibly about addressing something in a productive and responsible manner on Internet forums.

I think if law makers that aren't already supportive of open carry heard what I believe to be the majority's wish, they'd understand and be more supportive. I'm sure there are some law makers that oppose or have no real opinion, that jump on the bandwagon and assume people want to and will be strapping on western rigs and walking down main street as one someone quoted by the media described it.

Geez, I'm not sure there's much more room for logic here....maybe we'll make room.

 

[txinvestigator]

To: Texas State Legislature and Texas Governor Rick Perry

We hold that all citizens who may lawfully purchase a handgun be allowed to carry openly in public in the State of Texas except for those places prohibited by law. We also call for state preemption of all handgun laws concerning open carry in Texas.

1. Every individual has the right and responsibility to defend their self against unjustified threats of death or serious bodily injury.

2. The Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.

3. Criminals are not deterred by rules, regulations, and laws forbidding the possession of weapons. A man bent on mass murder will not be stopped by a rule forbidding him to have a gun.

4. It is well known that the requirement to conceal a handgun for the purpose of protecting self, friends, and family can be difficult especially in Texas with our extreme heat since a person will usually have to wear a jacket to properly conceal a handgun and to avoid "printing."

5. The requirement to conceal a handgun can make it difficult to draw the weapon should the life of the carrier or the life of someone else be in danger.

6. A criminal will not open carry a weapon because he does not want to draw attention to himself. We believe that a citizen openly carrying a handgun lawfully will be a deterrent for crime.

7. Ten states including Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, and Wyoming all allow open carry of handguns without a license. Twelve states including Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, and Tennessee allow open carry of handguns with a license. In fact, Texas is one of only SIX states in the entire United States that completely bans open carry of handguns.

8. In these states, Open carry is very common and it does not alarm law enforcement or other citizens.

For the foregoing reasons, we residents of the State of Texas affirm and assert that all citizens who may lawfully purchase a handgun be allowed to carry openly in public in the State of Texas except for those places prohibited by law. We also call for state preemption of all handgun laws concerning open carry in Texas.
Sincerely,

I'm sorry, the lies in the above are where?

I'll show you one. #7 "Texas is one of only SIX states in the entire United States that completely bans open carry of handguns." Texas does not completely ban the open carry of handguns. In fact, only those carried under the CHL law and those carried under 46.02 in a vehicle have to be concealed. Of the other times when carry is not completely proscribed, ONE actually mandates open carry, and the other 3 or 4 the law is silent. Meaning open carry is legal.

Makes me doubt their "fscts" about other states, doesn't it you?

Lets look at a couple of other "facts"

"8. In these states, Open carry is very common and it does not alarm law enforcement or other citizens" Really? Then why do I keep reading about people "done wrong" by police taking some of these folks at gunpoint after some soccer mom was alarmed?

The rest of it is just jibberish. Criminals are not deterred by laws (#3), but they won't open carry so as not to draw attention (#6)? Wait, #8 says open carry does not draw attention? What?

I never have to wear jacket to carry a full sized 1911. In fact, I never worry about printing as it is not illegal. See #4

#1 and 2 were on the right track. #3 is about criminals and laws proscribing carry. What has that to do with open carry?

 

[midnightrider]

The likely hood of a BG open carrying is small, but it's a good point. It could mean a lot of hassle.

And I see your point about the reasons and using CC as a "poster child" but I think a lot of the people behind and supporting it are CHL holders. I for one don't see many appropriate times to open carry, but I'd like that choice, and the elimination of the inconvenience of all the care it takes to properly conceal.

I actually went out to dinner the other night and tucked in my shirt. But I wore a jacket and had to wear it through dinner. In that case, it wasn't a big deal, but I would have preferred to take it off. And the fact is, I doubt anyone would have noticed anyway. But I would have liked to have not had to worry about the legal issues of taking my jacket off, although the social issues will never go away. People will be "alarmed".

I would agree on the point of the hassle of CCW, if OC were ever passed I'd still CCW, but it would be nice to wear a OWB and take off the jacket sometime.

 

[Texas42]

I just think that it is silly to think that people wouldn't freak when they saw you carrying. The police would be called and they would arrest you and confiscate your weapon. The prosecutor would eventually give you back your weapon, seeing that you did nothing wrong. Probably charge you with something else, like exciting a panic whatever.

It has happened in other states that do have open carry. I don't have the article on hand, but I know I have read it.

The other point is that it paints a huge target on your back. The biggest advantage that we have as CHL's is that the criminals do not know who is packing.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Fisherman777]

I just think that it is silly to think that people wouldn't freak when they saw you carrying. The police would be called and they would arrest you and confiscate your weapon. The prosecutor would eventually give you back your weapon, seeing that you did nothing wrong. Probably charge you with something else, like exciting a panic whatever.

It has happened in other states that do have open carry. I don't have the article on hand, but I know I have read it.

The other point is that it paints a huge target on your back. The biggest advantage that we have as CHL's is that the criminals do not know who is packing.

Just my thoughts.

Sure some would freak out but I wouldn't open carry in a city of any size at all. There are some times and places that I could carry openly though and people wouldn't freak out and I don't even accidently want to be charged or accused with a crime when I haven't done anything wrong. Such as if my coat flys open and some fool sees it.

There's a reason that people freak out and don't know anything. People have been brainwashed and schools are purposely cranking out stupid graduates. It's so the population can be controlled and culled.

 

[JKTex]

The police would be called and they would arrest you and confiscate your weapon. The prosecutor would eventually give you back your weapon, seeing that you did nothing wrong. Probably charge you with something else, like exciting a panic whatever.

I was following you until that. If it's not illegal, there is nothing to arrest you for. If there is no arrest, there is no illegal confiscation, and no prosecution. If they charge you with something else, it'll have to be because there is probable cause to chante you with something.

Someone else's reaction to a legal act does not constitute an illegal act.

 

[idleprocess]

Someone else's reaction to a legal act does not constitute an illegal act.

No, but if the person doing the reporting is hysterical enough to file a "man with a gun report," then they might exaggerate their tale a bit more to include brandishing or other fictional sinister acts. The police will probably be obligated to respond, leading to a period of adjustment and numerous unpleasant encounters with the cops by those early adopters on the bleeding edge of open carry.

And if it remains as uncommon as it allegedly is in other states, it could be one of those rights that you can never really exercise without harassment (or the unacceptably high probability of it) by citizens or the police due to social norms.

 

[Renegade]

53,558 so far!

lets see these numbers go through the roof!!

What would that accomplish? Now if 53,558 people joined TSRA and sent 1 letter to their Senate rep, and 1 to their assembly rep, then this would be law by SuperBowl weekend.

But instead, people will waste their time signing silly, useless, on-line petitions and wonder why nothing chnaged, despite 87 trillion signatures.....

Sorry to rain on your petition with a dose of reality.

 

[M. Sage]

Online petitions don't do a whole lot. Instead of spending that time signing the petition, go write an email to your legislators. Copy and paste the email into a word processing app, print sign and mail to same legislators.

Much better use of your effort, guys.

 

[Shorts]

Online petitions don't do a whole lot. Instead of spending that time signing the petition, go write an email to your legislators. Copy and paste the email into a word processing app, print sign and mail to same legislators.

Much better use of your effort, guys.

Umhm. Good suggesstions. That's actually been done/ongoing as well (contacting Reps and Sen) on OCDO.

 

[JKTex]

No, but if the person doing the reporting is hysterical enough to file a "man with a gun report," then they might exaggerate their tale a bit more to include brandishing or other fictional sinister acts. The police will probably be obligated to respond, leading to a period of adjustment and numerous unpleasant encounters with the cops by those early adopters on the bleeding edge of open carry.

And if it remains as uncommon as it allegedly is in other states, it could be one of those rights that you can never really exercise without harassment (or the unacceptably high probability of it) by citizens or the police due to social norms.

It's all speculation and guessing but yes, I agree, there is that chance that someone would freak and go overboard and themselves be committing a crime. But the reasonable person will consider the odds. But again, (I'm arguing both sides with myself now ) I don't think we'd see a big influx of open carry. Still speculation on my part.

 

[M. Sage]

Umhm. Good suggesstions. That's actually been done/ongoing as well (contacting Reps and Sen) on OCDO.

It's also the gold standard on Calguns.net. They've actually done very well in fighting the BS over there.