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OPEN CARRY IN TEXAS

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  • SidewaysTA

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    Sep 5, 2011
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    CSTX
    Neither "printing" or even accidental exposure of a firearm were ever violations of section 42.01 of the Penal Code (Disorderly Conduct) prior to OC (1 Jan 2016).

    The wording has always been very clear..."(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: (8) displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm."

    Much like the myths surrounding OC (claiming it makes one "more of a target"), those who said the same about printing or accidental exposure could never provide one iota of hard evidence to where that was the case. No one was ever charged for either, despite claims that it could lead to an arrest.

    By the way, your "decided advantage of surprise" also translates to increased time in drawing your weapon. It takes extra steps and time in situations where fractions of a second could make a significant difference. I have seen many conceal carriers who couldn't bring their weapon on target within 1.5 seconds (Google "Tueller Drill" to see the significance of that time).

    Given the fact that the vast majority of conceal carriers have never actually trained by drawing their weapon and employing it on an advancing target leads to the their misconception that they would be able to do so under stressful situations.

    Standing at a range, taking your time to aim and shoot, then being impressed by the accuracy of it all does not translate to the same results one would have in a true self-defense situation.

    In fact, those who mock law enforcement for the high number of "misses" after a shootout only adds to the fact that most civilians have no concept of what stresses are in play for such a scenario.

    So this "decided advantage of surprise" is negated by the numerous other factors working against an inexperienced, poorly trained individual in most self-defense situations. There is no great advantage of conceal carry other than it was the only way licensed individuals could carry a handgun in public prior to OC.
    This! All this.

    If the bad guy is coming after you, the time it takes to un-conceal, draw and bring weapon to bear negates any perceived advantage the element of surprise gives you.

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    Lunyfringe

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    Sep 22, 2017
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    Canton, TX
    I believe it's going to vary by venue... I generally CC, but OC in my "neighborhood" (I live in Van Zandt county, not even in city limits) and there are 0 issues there... but OC to a liberal event (like a gun protest march) and you'll probably be hassled. There are a number of businesses that have 30.07 signs, but here in East Texas 30.06 signs are fairly rare (except schools & medical facilities)... I haven't open carried to First Monday trade days, but it's not prohibited there.
     

    oldag

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    If I was a bad guy in need of a gun, an open carrier would be my first and easiest target. Beats breaking in to a house


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    A criminal can be fairly certain if no one is home (not 100%). But he knows that that OC guy will resist, and the criminal may well not like the odds.
     

    oldag

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    I’d love to see any evidence that this, or anything remotely similar, has actually ever happened...?


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    I can only recall reading of one OC having his gun grabbed. Maybe a year or two ago. up north somewhere?

    Do not recall reading of any other occasions.
     

    leVieux

    TSRA/NRA Life Member
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    Once more, I pointedly did not ask about the "ADVISABILITY" of O C, which has been exhausted elsewhere. If you wish to discuss that; or, "O C vs) C C", please do it elsewhere. The request was to describe your OWN EXPERIENCES with legal O C in Texas. Thank you,

    leVieux
     

    diesel1959

    por vida
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    Houston & BFE
    shutterstock_143542708-750x550.jpg
     

    Fritz

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    Mar 14, 2018
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    Frisco, TX
    Neither "printing" or even accidental exposure of a firearm were ever violations of section 42.01 of the Penal Code (Disorderly Conduct) prior to OC (1 Jan 2016).

    The wording has always been very clear..."(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly: (8) displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm."

    Much like the myths surrounding OC (claiming it makes one "more of a target"), those who said the same about printing or accidental exposure could never provide one iota of hard evidence to where that was the case. No one was ever charged for either, despite claims that it could lead to an arrest.

    By the way, your "decided advantage of surprise" also translates to increased time in drawing your weapon. It takes extra steps and time in situations where fractions of a second could make a significant difference. I have seen many conceal carriers who couldn't bring their weapon on target within 1.5 seconds (Google "Tueller Drill" to see the significance of that time).

    Given the fact that the vast majority of conceal carriers have never actually trained by drawing their weapon and employing it on an advancing target leads to the their misconception that they would be able to do so under stressful situations.

    Standing at a range, taking your time to aim and shoot, then being impressed by the accuracy of it all does not translate to the same results one would have in a true self-defense situation.

    In fact, those who mock law enforcement for the high number of "misses" after a shootout only adds to the fact that most civilians have no concept of what stresses are in play for such a scenario.

    So this "decided advantage of surprise" is negated by the numerous other factors working against an inexperienced, poorly trained individual in most self-defense situations. There is no great advantage of conceal carry other than it was the only way licensed individuals could carry a handgun in public prior to OC.

    Serious question: have you ever been under fire from someone trying to kill you? If so, how did you react/respond?

    You’re absolutely right that under fire, even the most experienced range shooter will deplete his magazine before he hits his target no matter how good he thinks he is. That includes most LEO. Before you ask me the same question, I’m a former Marine with 3 combat tours and two Purple Hearts. I’ve made a lot of hits and I’ve taken a few.


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    Fritz

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    Mar 14, 2018
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    Frisco, TX
    Serious question: have you ever been under fire from someone trying to kill you? If so, how did you react/respond?

    You’re absolutely right that under fire, even the most experienced range shooter will deplete his magazine before he hits his target no matter how good he thinks he is. That includes most LEO. Before you ask me the same question, I’m a former Marine with 3 combat tours and two Purple Hearts. I’ve made a lot of hits and I’ve taken a few.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    I also meant to add that if you think you can draw from your OC holster in 1.5 secs when under fire when you’re not prepared (as most of is walking the mean streets of Texas) you’re sorely mistaken. You have virtually no more advantage than I would drawing CC.


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    sidebite252

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    Mar 26, 2013
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    Lake Texoma
    OMG! Wow this thread took a direction. Carry as you see fit. I do and I’m comfortable with how I carry. Move on peeps. These are hypothetical situations. No perfect carry method.
     

    easy rider

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    Jun 10, 2015
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    Odessa, Tx
    Once more, I pointedly did not ask about the "ADVISABILITY" of O C, which has been exhausted elsewhere. If you wish to discuss that; or, "O C vs) C C", please do it elsewhere. The request was to describe your OWN EXPERIENCES with legal O C in Texas. Thank you,

    leVieux
    Back on course, and I'm sorry that I added to the controversy, but as far as Odessa/Midland goes it's mainly a non issue open carrying, just many stores and restaurants have 30.07 signs.
     

    oljames3

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    Oct 6, 2014
    32
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    Elgin, Texas
    You could be totally right. I just tend to over-analyze everything until I find the decision that I'm comfortable with.

    OC is so new, I don't think the experiences that could happen, have happened. So the fact that I have not read about any OC guys have their guns taken after being shot in TX does not affect my decision. Its also possible it's happened but was not reported. The news pool on OC is pretty shallow.

    Just like prior to CC, we had no idea about how CC would affect life in general. I remember hearing about a guy who shot a bad guy who was robbing a lady in a parking lot at a mall within the first year of CC. That honestly never crossed my mind as something that could happen. Just because there is not a news item related to my position on OC doesn't mean it wont happen.

    BTW, I am in favor of OC, for those who are comfortable with it. I'm just not one who is.
    Texas has had Open Carry for over two years, now. Carrying openly may be relatively new here, but Texas is the 45th state to enact some form of open carry. Many other states have had Open Carry for a lot longer than we have. No issues in those states, either. We all have to decide which risks we are willing to manage. I prefer to base my self defense decisions on facts and evidence rather than guesses and baseless supposition. If issues existed, the anti-gunners would be broadcasting them furiously, as evidenced by their trumpeting even the smallest lapse by lawful carriers and playing up tragedies to push their agenda.

    I've carried openly in AZ, CO, KS, MO, NM, OK, and, of course, Texas. Before doing so, I've researched the local laws, news reports, and quizzed the locals on their forums. I have a relative in the El Paso County Sheriff Department (Colorado Springs, CO). I quizzed him at length when I first carried in CO. No issues.
     
    Last edited:

    oljames3

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    Oct 6, 2014
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    Elgin, Texas
    I believe it's going to vary by venue... I generally CC, but OC in my "neighborhood" (I live in Van Zandt county, not even in city limits) and there are 0 issues there... but OC to a liberal event (like a gun protest march) and you'll probably be hassled. There are a number of businesses that have 30.07 signs, but here in East Texas 30.06 signs are fairly rare (except schools & medical facilities)... I haven't open carried to First Monday trade days, but it's not prohibited there.
    Exactly this. We must each decide for ourselves how best to employ our self defense tools.

    It comes down to which risks we are willing to manage and which benefits matter most to us.

    I've done my due diligence, performed my risk analysis, considered the tactical implications, and weighed my abilities/limitations. For me, carrying openly works best and I have had zero issues in doing so in Texas for over two years and in other states for almost five years. For those rare instances in which carrying concealed is better for me, I conceal.

    So, do your own research and come to your own conclusions based on evidence rather than emotion.
     

    oljames3

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    Oct 6, 2014
    32
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    Elgin, Texas
    I can only recall reading of one OC having his gun grabbed. Maybe a year or two ago. up north somewhere?

    Do not recall reading of any other occasions.
    Oregon. This story is dated 2014. Dude broke ALL of Farnham's Rules of Stupid and won the Stupid Prize.
    http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2014/10/gresham_man_robbed_of_pistol_a.html

    Still no reports of anyone being "shot first."

    I carry my S&W M&P M2.0, 9mm, 5inch, openly in a Safariland ALS holster. I don't go to stupid places, with stupid people, at stupid times, to do stupid things. I've engaged law enforcement officers all over the Austin metroplex, including the Bastrop County DA, in pleasant conversion on many occasions. I've never been harassed or even asked for ID.
     

    NavyVet1959

    Curmudgeon Extraordinaire
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    Jun 14, 2014
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    Texas, ya'll
    Nice that OC is legal but I still don’t see the point. Just makes you a target for bad guys who want a free gun.

    The element of surprise and anonymity is powerful.

    There goes that old argument again, but the statistics just don't back it up. Let's look at it this way... How many cops are explicitly attacked for the sole purpose of stealing their gun from them? I just don't see it happening. In every case that I've heard about, when a criminal tries to take away the gun from a cop, it is because they are in a struggle with the cop because the cop was trying to arrest them.

    If you are going to OC (or CC, for that matter), you need to be aware of your surroundings.

    My experience has been that for the most part, people are just so involved in their own little world, that they don't notice if you are OCing.

    When the temperature is 100F and the humidity is 90+%, it really is nice not to have to add an extra layer as a cover garment. I still keep a vest in the car so that I can toss it on in case I have to go into a store with a 30.07 sign (or an not legally binding improper 30.06 or gun-buster sign).
     

    Shady

    The One And Only
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    Aug 24, 2013
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    Yep I see it on the news every day from all the states with OC of things like this happening.

    I guess you could also be smacked up side the head with a bad and when you hit the ground it knocks your cc gun out and the guy gets it too.


    How?? Walk up behind you a in WM with a bat in my buggy I picked up in sporting goods. Applied to the side of your head and I have a gun now. If you think that couldn't happen dream on.
     
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