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steveincowtown wrote: What is the need for free speech? People say some pretty shocking things, should we regulate that as well?

Also if the challenge is to show statistical evidence that open carry deters crime, I would put the same challenge to you about concealed carry.

I think rights outweigh feelings, and that I can prove. IMHO, this bill stinks; but let's not lose sight of our rights.

Free speech is regulated to some extent and in some circumstances. If you're not aware of that you should be.

What rights do you want restored? You want to open carry a gun, go ahead, get a long gun and do it, it is perfectly within your rights to do so.

If you don't already open carry a long gun, why don't you? I will go ahead and answer that for you. You don't want the attention you would draw when going to the local store, movie theater, restaurant or whereever. You don't want the results of what would happen after the man with gun call when into the local PD.

If you simply want your rights to be able to openly carry a handgun restored, well, it has been well over 100 years since Texans have had that right. Doing it this particular legislative session isn't going to make a big deal in the scope of things. Thinking that a law on the books that will allow for open carry will magically make things right is very narrow minded. As many have pointed out, it may very well result in limiting everyones right to carry a handgun whether or openly or concealed.

I fail to see how CA gun laws are better than TX laws.

Open carry really isn't open carry in CA. Not being able to carry a loaded gun anyplace you can't legally discharge it isn't open carry in my book. The bottom is a link to CA laws and all the restrictions that they place on firearms. I will take Texas laws over that nonsense any day. Notice it says loaded firearm, not just handgun. If you want to argue about which is better CA or TX, please include where you can carry loaded long guns in Texas when you're making the comparison.

5. LOADED FIREARMS
Loaded Firearms in a Public Place
It is unlawful to carry a loaded firearm on one’s person or in a vehicle while in any public
place, on any public street, or in any place where it is unlawful to discharge a firearm.
(Penal Code § 12031(a)(1).)

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/forms/pdf/cfl.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mr. Cotton,

Thank you for your long explaination. I agree that the current bill Lavender has introduced could very well limit CHL holders rights instead of expand them.

I never heard it during Lavenders campaign, but I am told from others that this was something he promised he would do if elected. Being that he, and the people who report he campaigned on this are from my town, I have no reason to think they are telling anything but the truth.

Is he doing it because he promised it during the campaign, or is he doing it because he truely believes in open carry, I don't know.

Would it have been better for a newly elected State Rep to get support from as many pro gun camps as possible before introducing legislation? Well any answer besided yes to that question would make me question one's true goals for gun owners, especially people who make the decision to carry daily whereever it is legal.

Again, thank you for your very informative post, and this forum.