There is a petition circulating for the passage of a open carry law in Texas. we are only one of six states that do not allow for open carry. I have a CHl but sometimes find that it is hard to conceal a firearm especially in the Texas heat. I dont know that i would carry in the open,but i think that should be an option. If you would likr to read the article about this petition go to:http://smokeonthewater.typepad.com/smokeonthewater/2007/05/open_carry.html

yep...It's hard to hide my Forty Five ...

Agreed, I have already signed the petition way back when and have contributed to the fund which is providing us with the exposure on billboards along I-35 and on top of Taxi's in Austin.

Show'em if you got'em!

signed it

I don't oppose a persons right to carry a gun, I want to buy a pistol when I get out of school, but Im interested to know why people would want to cary it openly instead of concealed.

Good question. Why would I want to carry my "heater" out in the open? Do I want to be first target? Am I making a statement or what?

Yes I do legally carry, but y'all won't know it until it's time for you to know it.

well said Oldgringo

I have a CCL and carry most of the time. However, I'm against open carry because of the many jerks and dumbasses with CCL's who will abuse it and make people think we're a bunch of idiots. Just go through the list of people you know who have a CCL and ask yourself if they should be allowed to carry in the open. Some of the ones I know would be wearing a Roy Rogers double rig or a tactical strap down. It's a bad idea.

I can see why a civilized society would expect it's citizens to walk around openly armed; an armed society is a polite one. Also gives criminals something to think about besides crime. Unfortunately, we're no longer a civilized society ... it's a very good idea, and have faith in the 90%+ of responsible people who wouldn't do stupid things with something like this.

It's the 10% that make me wonder how something like this could be reintroduced to America.

Can you cite me any examples in the other 40+ other states that allow open carry a situation where an individual was targeted 1st because they were open carrying? Like the blood in the streets, shoot outs at every traffic light and OK corral stories that precluded CHL laws this argument of being the 1st target should be relegated to false urban legend status.

I have never been to another state and seen a civilian carrying an unconcealed weapon. What states have an open carry law?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it. I'm just curious to see evidence of this in other states.

It would be easier for me to lists the states that outright ban any kind of open carry. Texas is one of only six states that either do not allow or highly restrict the open carrying of handguns in public. The others are New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida and South Carolina, as well as Washington, D.C..

Are people in those states not as proud of their weapons or are there restrictions that keep the majority of people from carrying openly?

Perhaps you would prefer to ask some of the people who commonly take advantage of open carry in their respective states. Here's a website (discussion forum much like this) where the groups who do gather to discuss open carrying.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that open carry is a more honest way to live...besides I am not the least bit interested in any gun small enough to conceal. (G)

Big Dale

Thanks for the info. I just wasn't aware. I've spent some time in many of those states(NM,CO,WY,etc) and have never seen people openly brandishing handguns and so was not aware that they had open carry laws.

No problem, I don't believe you would see much of a difference here in Texas if it was made legal to do so either. There might be some people who might from time to time (I admit it, I might depending on the circumstances), but for the most part I don't think it would be a huge issue.

I mainly support it because I believe as law abiding citizens it should be our right to choose whether we carry our firearms open or concealed regardless of peoples opinions. Majority opinion doesn' trump a right nor should it be reason to dissuade a person from exercising his/her right. Sort of like the old saying "I disagree with what you say, but I will fight for your right to say it". IMHO one of the major problems with America today is that many people no longer subscribe to this philosophy. I saw an example of it right here in this thread where someone fears that because some people might not carry to the standards of their opinions (cowboy rig, tactical drop down holster, etc..) that noone should be allowed to do it. I myself think that if someone chose to do so they would most definitely look silly but last time I checked there was no law against looking silly and it should be their right to look silly if they so choose.

Firstly, there are 50 states and Washington D.C. ain't one of them.
Secondly, the CHL reciciprocity map doesn't indicate open carry in all but six (6) other states - quite the contrary.
Thirdly, there may be too many licensed wackos running around with guns these days without letting unlicensed and unqualified wackos play Wyatt Earp in the streets. Granted, there is no substantive evidence to date that licensed CHL's have caused bedlam nor is there any evidence that open carry people are targets. Perhaps, that is because there is basically no open carry in urban areas?

May I assume, Sir, that you have a duly issued CHL from the state of Texas? If so, why would you want, you or anyone else, to display your weapon? What's the point?

BTW, open carry is okay for me because I ain't no wacko. I do; however, support coal fired and nuclear power plants.

If you let every CHL holder carry openly I bet you would be surprised at the number of people you saw sporting a pistol. If I was a criminal and walked into a store, and saw anyone carrying a gun I would think twice about what I was doing. You can argue that anyone seen carrying would be shot first, but if there is one, I`m sure there are others nearby who are carrying as well.
The State of Texas doesn`t hand these things out to just anyone like you might think. You have to be squeaky clean to have a CHL. Not only have a clean criminal background, but be paid up on all taxes and many other requirements.

This is why I/We carry...http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/2747430/Re_Gun_controll#Post2747430

I challenge anybody to produce proof of any kind that 42 states allow open carry. In fact, there are not even 42 states that allow CC. If I'm wrong, I'll certainly admit it, but I gotta' have proof of this one. It's absurd.

Click on the states on the map provided in the link below for any information you would like pertaining to open or concealed carry

http://opencarry.org/opencarry.html


BTW- You are wrong. 48 States have concealed carry in the form of either "Shall Issue" or "May Issue" permits. Illinois and Wisconsin are the only 2 states that do not allow for a concealed weapons permit whatsoever. You can read more about that here:

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

I am well aware of how many states there are and if you look at the map I provided you will see there are 6 states which do not allow any kind of open carry (they are marked in red) and 1 District of Columbia. I understand your concern regarding wackos carrying firearms. Do you really think lack of a license or training is currently stopping any of them from carrying concealed if they so choose? The right to keep and bear arms is just that, a right. Can I see your license to practice free speech? The 2nd Amendment etches in stone our RIGHT to keep and bear arms. That right shall not be infringed upon.

When we talk about permits and concessions I just don't get it. We don't do that for any other Constitutional right. Why do we so easily concede on this one?

People that might be afraid of one of us carrying a firearm on our person in the open have a right to their fear, however unfounded it may be, but we cannot allow that to diminish our right to carry them.

Anti-gun movements have been very effective at creating a stigma regarding firearms in society. We only reinforce this stigma when we compromise.

In fact, the beginning of compromise in this area is the quickest way to losing the very reason our Founding Fathers gave us this right.....to preserve our Liberty and to make certain our Government always remains a Government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

As for your question yes I have maintained a valid Texas CHL for well over 6 years now. My experience in carrying daily has taught me that there are occassionally situations where I might prefer to open carry. As a law abiding citizen I would like to be able to exercise that option and it should be my choice to do so if I so choose. Just the same as it is your choice to carry concealed if you so choose. I respect your right to do so, however, when you don't respect mine or others to make our own decisions regarding such you aren't much better than the people who would prefer we ban guns altogether IMO.