Hypothetical (for now) Question

[A.Texas.Yankee]

Open carry probably acts as a deterrent many more times than it makes one a target.

^ this. Especial if there is more than one open carrying. If there were a dozen people open carrying at the movie theater, what do you think would have happened?

Thoughts to written word from my EVO LTE

 

[matefrio]

By the time we "need" the right back to open carry we won't have a congress in session that'll pass it.

 

[Sugar Land]

It would be nice to move out of my IWB. I could use the extra inches.

 

[TheDan]

I would probably mostly conceal, but sometimes open carry, too. Probably just depend on my mood. I can definitely see myself quasi-concealing in the summer. Wearing straw fedora, shorts, undershirt, and an open button down over that; mostly covering the gun with to occasional breeze exposing it. That paints a darn comfortable picture in my mind

 

[GPtwins]

I have not seen any bill introduced yet regarding open carry. I am ambiguous about open carry but the idea is growing on me. I think my preferred method would be to still conceal but there are certain instances where I might feel more comfortable O/C.

 

[Old Timer]

Open Carry

I support open carry, concealed carry. Any way you want to carry. But I, personally, like and will continue to carry concealed. It may just be a habit after 45 years in my case, but I am quite comfortable with whatever you want to do.

 

[r-gray]

If this has been covered before forgive me and a moderator can delete the thread.

If Texas lawmakers pass open carry (and I believe they are due to consider it again this session) would you open carry or continue to carry concealed? I have mixed feelings. On one hand, most of the time I wouldn't care to advertise that I am carrying. However, I could see open carry being more comfortable and offering more options, i. e. OWB vs. IWB etc. Also, when carrying concealed, no more worries about printing or being "made."

I'm interested in hearing others opinions and thoughts.

I haven't started carrying, I'm still researching IWB holsters - I've got a full-sized heavy gun and it's going to be difficult. The OWB's seem like they'd print too much - and if not, you'd still need a very long shirt to cover up the barrel/holster. I'd hate to always wear a very long shirt.

Also, if a bad buy robs a 7-11, for instance, you'd think he'd shoot the open-carry people first, then head to the counter.

Also, someone could spot you walking in the park and hit you on the head from behind in order to get your gun. "free gun here!"

But I certainly do believe I should have the right to open-carry. If I have the right to bear arms, why not have the right to carry it conveniently instead of buried in my clothes?! The bad guy gets to draw first, so I should at least have the option to carry OWB and openly if I choose to.

 

[Chupacabra Hunter]

conceal carry... but i do like the option to open carry....

 

[tussery]

I would like the option to open carry and if I did I would definitely invest in a real holster as far as retention is concerned.

 

[BG1960]

Me, I am not concerned about someone shooting me first or tryin' to take my gun away. The turds I have run across are lookin' for one thing : easy pickings. Gettin' into a shootout or tryin' to disarm someone is just not in their playbook. I am sure there are exceptions to the rule, but not enough for me to live in fear of it.

 

[F14Scott]

With business attire, open carry would be nice because it would allow OWB under an open Blazer. Currently, I would like this "semi-concealed" option for comfort and accessibility, but cannot since an OWB gun at 3:30, covered by an unbuttoned sport jacket, is not reliably concealed (due to the jacket flapping open unpredictably . As it stands, I have to IWB with the dress shirt concealing, which makes for a painfully slow and snaggy draw.

 

[GPtwins]

I carry my snubby in a pancake holster under a blazer all the time. if it is windy then I button the jacket up.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

If this passed I'd have to get some decent looking OWB holsters and not the trashy home made kydex stuff I've been using - LOL

Works, but it ain't pretty.

 

[Curt 58]

I would probably do both. Personally I would have to get used to carrying in plain sight but I think having people see just how many loaded and ready firearms they are around every day could go a long ways towards breaking the stigma some have that a gun is gonna jump out of a holster and shoot somebody.

Many only know what they see on ABC or CNN and think the average CHL holder looks something like Bill Murray from caddy shack. If we want people to see that guns are safe we have to start by letting them see guns and that that so called "gun nuts" are not really nuts.

Open carry probably acts as a deterrent many more times than it makes one a target.

I used to think I would not open carry. Matter of fact, I was pretty adamant about it. But lately, I have decided I would. I doubt I would strap on a Desert Eagle, but I would like to carry my Colt Defender in plain sight.

Situation dependent of course I would love to be able to open carry but would probably continue to carry concealed the majority of the time.

All good comments!
And if you've never been in an Open Carry Environment let me tell you it's rather un nerving at first.

Here's the story
Three years ago some 5 friends and I were in Montana and Wyoming riding our Dual Sport Motorcycles. Two of us were from Texas and had our CHL's and of course were packing concealed.
We stopped in a little town called Eureka for lunch. As we entered I notice a few younger guys , say mid 30's, dining and one nearest me had a 45 on his hip!
I thought Hmmm! Cops But after we were seated I noticed he and his friends, also Open Carrying, looked more like Ranchers than Cops And that got me to looking around the Restaurant at other Diners, and I noticed a lot of other people were also Open Carrying! Heck even some women in Blue Jeans were sporting holsters and firearms!

As I sat there drinking my tea and waiting for my food a sense of well being and comfort came over me. The thought crossed my mind that a person would have to be down right crazy and extremely stupid to come into that Restaurant and try to hold it up! (I was sitting in my ususal watchdog position, as was my habit, where I could see the cash register and the front door.)

I mean, clearly the Bad Guys would have been outgunned from the beginning After our lunch I felt good and loved the environment so much that it completely changed my mind about Open Carry and now I'm thinking it needs to happen here in Texas.

I may not carry Open everyday, but I assure you I would from time to time just because I could. And I'd sure get comfortable with seeing others armed real easy! It's not as scary as people want you to believe!
Being "Pro Gun", it made me a believer it is the right thing to do!

I honestly believe that Criminals would find their working environment getting a lot less safe!
And Armed Society is a Polite Society! It was that day for sure!

 

[TreyG-20]

I'm for it. I'm a skinny guy and finding a good holster to conceal has been quite a mission. Also a costly one. While I prefer not be exposed, during the heat of the summer when wearing shorts and a T-shirt open carrying would be more comfortable and manageable. I have a pocket .380 for those times but would prefer carrying my Glock all the time.

 

[n2pistols]

Great point.

 

[majormadmax]

Curt, that's a great story and I am sure it would eventually be the same in Texas if we ever got the chance.

It's sad to admit that the great state of Texas is one of just six states that do not to allow some form of open carry. That lumps us in with Illinois, New York, Arkansas, South Carolina and Florida. Oklahoma just enacted OC on 1 November 2012, and here we sit still having to conceal.

I don't buy the "it'll make me more of a target" argument as that has yet to be the case in any of the states that allow it.

Late last year, Rep. George Lavender claimed he would propose it during the 2013 Texas legislature. Lavender unsuccessfully pushed an open-carry bill in the 2011 legislative session, but the measure never gained momentum. It failed to attract a Senate sponsor and died in committee. The Texas State Rifle Association supports OC, but says concealed carry on college campuses is more of a priority with them! I'm sorry, but I think they should focus on an effort that would expand the rights of gun-carrying citizens across the state instead of an issue that affects a much smaller percentage of college students.

The Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, a union that represents 18,500 peace officers, was initially split in 1995 when concealed carry was introduced; but that organization now says that the system to train and regulate license holders, in place now for more than 15 years, is working well. They do not necessarily support or are against OC, only that if passed police agencies will need new training programs to guide an officer’s conduct when he or she encounters someone wearing a pistol. Based on conversations I've had with law enforcement officers, I don't think that will be an issue as long as the gun-holder acts appropriately when encountered. Those who would carry, as well as the public in general, would have to be "trained" on the unique aspects OC'ing brings; but for the most part I think it would be a quick learning curve and wouldn't take long for everyone to understand and accept the concept.

I am sure there will still be the occasional call to the police about someone OC'ing, but if allowed by law then a police response would not be necessary unless there are indications of some sort of other illegal activity. I bet there will still be those "select few" who get upset when their local law enforcement agency tells them it is all perfectly legal, but I am pretty certain the law will contain provisions such as what currently exist for concealed carry (30.06) to allow them to advertise OC is not allowed on their property.

With recent events, it would be nice if Texas would show the nation what responsible firearm regulations really looks like; but so far I don't see any great momentum to get OC proposed and passed by the current legislature. Hopefully a bill will be proposed soon, but at this time unfortunately none has.

Cheers! M2

 

[majormadmax]

By the way, here is the excellent response by current Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Senate author of Texas 1995 concealed handgun law, to a Dallas Morning News editorial against open carry...

I respectfully question why we should place much credence in what the DMN editorial board says today on this subject. In 1995 the DMN was among those daily newspapers that essentially predicted return of the wild wild west, blood in the streets, and shootouts at every 4 way stop if the CHL law passed, and as you now concede none of that happened. Dozens of states allow open carry by those without a CHL, and there's no problem. Texas open carry would be only for those with a CHL! If it works elsewhere, won't it work in Texas? Are we uniquely prone to violence or lawlessness? I think not. Open carry may not make things safer, but it wouldn't make things less safe either. It would be reassuring to see a citizen with a handgun and therefore know that by definition they're not a criminal and have had a recent background check!

And another response from a Seattle resident...

I adamantly disagree. I live in Seattle and carry in the open in downtown Seattle on a regular basis as well as many other cities and towns in the liberal bastion of Western Washington. Never have people run in fear or are intimidated by the mere presence of my firearm. They simply see a well behaved man going about his business with a properly holstered firearm. Criminals will avoid me, law abiding citizens have nothing to fear and they know it. With the Texas heat, carrying in the open with a t-shirt will be liberating for thousands of law abiding gun owners who must wear extra clothing to conceal their firearm. Your fears are unfounded, carry on Texas...carry on!

Actually, most of the responses to that editorial are pro-OC!

Cheers! M2

 

[n2pistols]

I will continue to carry concealed regardless if open carry is approved. But I have no problem with open carry.

 

[effnoldguy]

With business attire, open carry would be nice because it would allow OWB under an open Blazer. Currently, I would like this "semi-concealed" option for comfort and accessibility, but cannot since an OWB gun at 3:30, covered by an unbuttoned sport jacket, is not reliably concealed (due to the jacket flapping open unpredictably . As it stands, I have to IWB with the dress shirt concealing, which makes for a painfully slow and snaggy draw.

What you described is concealed carry and is already allowed in Texas.