Yes, there are things we can learn from this, and we have...SA-TX wrote:How do we get beyond the past? Unquestionably the approach taken didn't work. Can't we learn from that and move forward in a positive way? Are we really taking the view that because mistakes were made last session that should be the end of it? Texans have lacked this particular type of freedom for over 120 years. Heck, we lacked most legal handgun carry for over 110. I'm still amazed and astonished at this.stevie_d_64 wrote:The amazing thing is that this discussion has gone on for 5 pages...Which tells me people are still scratching their heaqds and wondering why this issue has not been resolved (in our favor)...
Regardless of the very knowledgable and technical pros and cons of this issue, I have been one that would still like to see it resolved and Texans having the choice to exercise their right without scrutiny or critisism...
What started out last time with a good effort was torpedoed by proponents that were impatient and immature in my opinion, and that pretty much killed the effort, and it is unlikely to be carried again anytime soon...
So what do we do now???
Carry concealed!!!
I'm good with that...
That having been said, I'm a practical guy. I definitely fall into the camp that thinks baby steps in the right direction are valuable. Is there ANY change to current law that even moves us toward OC that the readership here would support in large numbers?
Removing firearms from being mentioned in the Disorderly Conduct statute, for example (SRothstein explained in another post how even openly carrying on your own property, because it could be a 'public place' though privately owned, might give rise to the charge & the prosecution would try to show that your actions were 'calculated to alarm' the public)?
OC on private property with permission?
I ask the question with complete sincerity: is there ANYTHING that this important group of active gun carriers can agree on that move the ball forward even a little? To continue with the football analogy, we are looking for first downs at this point, not touchdowns.
SA-TX
No, any changes to the law could jeopardize (put at risk) some aspects of carrying at all, in any fashion in this state...
Our group of active gun carriers have been going at this issue for years, and there are two distinct camps...Both make valid arguments for and against the issue, and there are good reasons on both sides to support their opinions...The problem is we are probably not going to get this approved (legislatively) anytime soon...So for the time being lets formulate some good relations with our elected officials, be compliant with the existing law(s), and work to promote the expansion of those laws, in how you say, "baby steps, first downs"... (I like that)