TexasCHLforum.com

Well, I'm certainly not trying to dodge exercising our rights or trying to encourage Prejudice. I did not see how my post would sound that way, but if it did--that's not what I was trying to convey. I think we are exercising our rights with concealed carry and we are changing the prejudice against guns being carried among the public by citizens by leaps and bounds. Every CHL issued in Texas represents one more person who will support the right to bear arms and will help convert more people to the idea of responsible citizens carrying. I'm not holding myself up as some kind of expert. Just an average older person who remembers quite well the years before we had concealed carry in Texas and what it felt like to be a person unfamiliar with guns. A lot has changed already in a fairly short time. We have a tremendous warrior for the right to carry in Charles Cotten. I see no reason not to trust him to understand better than most how the political and social atmosphere in Texas is evolving regarding OC. He has worked tirelessly for us and sometimes it seems in spite of hecklers.

It is sad that we are becoming divided over this, but I do see a lot more hostility from some on the OC side. If they would just have a bit more patience with the slow grind of change. Put yourself in the place of a business owner. For now, he can have people who are pro carry and people who are anti come in to do business with him without incident. With open carry, he has to consider the reaction of his customers who don't want to be around visible guns. He has to consider the possible arguments and complaints. I agree a gun buster sign could be used to show open carry is not wanted and the 30.06 could be used to forbid both. Business owners can then just use the gun buster sign to let CHLs know they need to conceal before coming in. They still get to be armed, the antis still get their peace of mind. Win Win. But the all or nothing angry attitude of "I'll wear my gun anyplace I please whatever anyone feels" serves no one and least of all the OC supporters who are more reasonable.