Open Carry Texas holds demonstration in Longview

[jmra]

To give credit to where it is due. The OCT armed demo and distribution of copy of the constitution is working in bring attention and awareness to the OC issue. Also, all the demo so far is conducted on public area street and parks and Local PD is notified when needed. The event is noting but have courteous and positive attitude. As 2ndA supporters, if we can't support those events, or we can not live with those events, then surely something is wrong in our position.

The fact is they are not changing anyone's mind about OC. If anything the attention that they draw will result in unwanted calls to politicians by the antis making it even more difficult to get legislation passed. Not so sure why we can't learn from past mistakes.

[WildBill]

To give credit to where it is due. The OCT armed demo and distribution of copy of the constitution is working in bring attention and awareness to the OC issue. Also, all the demo so far is conducted on public area street and parks and Local PD is notified when needed. The event is noting but have courteous and positive attitude. As 2ndA supporters, if we can't support those events, or we can not live with those events, then surely something is wrong in our position.

The fact is they are not changing anyone's mind about OC. If anything the attention that they draw will result in unwanted calls to politicians by the antis making it even more difficult to get legislation passed. Not so sure why we can't learn from past mistakes.

The fact is that they are changing some people's minds - they are turning some people away from supporting open carry.

Beiruty - don't misinterpret my statement. I believe this is the reality of the situation. I do support open carry in Texas.

[Cedar Park Dad]

OC and CHL communities should drop their differences and build a strategy to further our 2ndA right. All other blame mud slinging is destructive. Only constrctive and positive attitude is the winning approach.

Or just rid of the all or nothing in your face OCer group who'd rather bring us all down then make incremental gains and protect the interests of other gun owners.

Again, just because we all own guns DOES NOT BY ANY STRETCH mean our interests are aligned. Indeed, the in your face crowd has definitely set back the rights of not only OCers, but all gun owners with their antics.

[mamabearCali]

I will say as an OC-er of a handgun, legally in my state, I have found the terms used here to be less than helpful. The disparaging terms do not help.

OC-ers want many of the things all 2nd amendment supporters want. We have much more in common than not. If you brand them as nuts and crazies, remember there are people who brand anyone who carries a gun and is not a LEO as a nut and a crazy, and they are not those people.

A baptist and a catholic may disagree on much, but if they come together on what they agree on they can accomplish much. If they call each other names, they will all go down together.

Your analogy couldn't be more off base. I believe you are far away enough from Texas that you aren't getting the whole picture of what we are dealing with. The vast majority of people on this forum support the passage of an OC bill that does not affect our current CC laws.

The "nuts" and "crazy" people we are talking about are not people who are legitimately concerned about the 2A amendment. It is people who walk thru Walmart with an AR and a film crew knowing that people are going to freak out and that they are going to be asked to leave the property by either the store management or local police. These people's sole objective is 15 minutes of fame from a YouTube video. These people are putting the hard work of people truly concerned about the 2A at great risk.

The "in your face" tactics have not been effective in getting legislation passed here before and it will not be effective in the future.

We can spin this thing however we want but it all boils down to this: Given the backlash that these OC demonstrations are causing on this forum, just think how much they are causing among the general public who elect politicians. Do you think that is helpful or productive? I don't.

You are correct in that I am not there. So perhaps my view of OC and OC rallies is different. I am not there. I am not seeing what is happening there.

Carrying a rifle into Walmart is ridiculous, of course. Doing so to with the intent to cause panic even more so. However, I must say, that some people thing that carrying any weapon into Walmart is ridiculous. I am not one of those people.

Now while even and OC advocate such as myself sees how a rifle really can cause panic, I do not see why a planned, publicized rally does the same. I do not put the two in the same catagory. One no ones knows what is going on neither the public nor the local LEO, but a rally everyone knows what is going on and what point they are trying to make.

Perhaps that could be a middle ground between the two. Perhaps a chat between the OCers and the CHLers could find middle ground there. They agree that by and large they will stop carrying rifles in Walmart, and y'all agree to support them in their rallies. Anyway, as an outsider to the situation it is a suggestion.

[Keith B]

Now while even and OC advocate such as myself sees how a rifle really can cause panic, I do not see why a planned, publicized rally does the same.

The problem is that open carry advocates are carrying either rifles or maybe replica antique pistols because you cannot legally open carry a modern handgun in Texas, They try to claim that seeing people open carry a rifle is desensitizing the public to open carry of a handgun. It doesn't do anything of the sort. All people see is a bunch of people standing around with AR's and other types of rifles.

IMO if they want advertise what they are promoting is to maybe carry an empty holster, but publicly hand out a well produced flyer or brochure explaining open carry of a handgun and the 2nd Amendment. This will at least be a more benign view of the participants and will present a more peaceful and civilized front for those who are shocked at seeing the evil black rifle's on these people.

[Oldgringo]

To give credit to where it is due. The OCT armed demo and distribution of copy of the constitution is working in bring attention and awareness to the OC issue. Also, all the demo so far is conducted on public area street and parks and Local PD is notified when needed. The event is noting but have courteous and positive attitude. As 2ndA supporters, if we can't support those events, or we can not live with those events, then surely something is wrong in our position.

The fact is they are not changing anyone's mind about OC. If anything the attention that they draw will result in unwanted calls to politicians by the antis making it even more difficult to get legislation passed. Not so sure why we can't learn from past mistakes.

It's all all in the presentation. Parading about dressed as "Duck Dynasty" rejects with long arms over one's shoulder is no way to, "win friends and influence people" to the cause of OC in Texas - in this day and time.

[Beiruty]

OCT experience in TN. However, no one noticed or even bothered to say "Hello, what are you carrying?"

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[Keith B]

OCT experience in TN. However, no one noticed or even bothered to say "Hello, what are you carrying?"

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And as he says, he is in a legal open carry state where it is OK to carry a HANDGUN, but if he had been carrying an AK-47 and trying to draw attention to himself, like these demonstrators are, it might be different. And, it is.

[cb1000rider]

And as he says, he is in a legal open carry state where it is OK to carry a HANDGUN, but if he had been carrying an AK-47 and trying to draw attention to himself, like these demonstrators are, it might be different. And, it is.

I can cite issues in OC states where merely exercising the right to OC a handgun (as allowed by law) often results in police detention and sometimes in arrest. OC will not solve the problem. To me, I support it because I'd like to conceal carry OWB and I don't feel comfortable doing that under current legislation.

Allowing OC won't change the public's tolerance for open carry of a firearm (without a badge). And it's not going to do anything for LEOs who think that we shouldn't be able to exercise that right.

I've personally got zero problem with exercising the 2nd amendment and constitutionally protected free speech via an Open Carry demonstration, as long as that demonstration follows the rules for typical political demonstrations and they notify the PD in advance that there of the intent. I don't consider this an "in-your-face tactic" - it's a political demonstration, that's all. It's exercising the free speech that we're all proud of in this country... And agree with or disagree with the message, most of us can support that we live in a country where we can have those differences.

I think the youtube videos work. I know of several circumstances they've resulted in "policy clarifications". They also show people the reality of the attitude towards firearms in public in Texas. They also have made me painfully aware of what might happen if I walk out my front door with a hunting rifle and I'm seen by the wrong passer-by.

I do have issues with carrying an AR into Starbucks unannounced. And I don't like what Grisham did - but by all accounts what he was doing was legal... However, a jury couldn't decide and I think that's a very dangerous indicator.

[G.A. Heath]

Grisham was convicted of interfering with an officer, not for open carrying. The OCing of the rifle led to the encounter that led to the conviction.

Next session in the legislature we will be fighting at least on bill to ban long gun OC, how do I know this? Our opponents are telegraphing this as well as the fact they will try to push a universal background check bill, so that they know anyone with a gun has had a background check...

TSRA has limited political capital, and a sizable portion will be used this time to kill anti-gun bills that are introduced in response to OC. On top of that legislators are asking that the long gun OC stop, and if it doesn't it hurts our efforts and devalues political capital of ALL progun groups/efforts.

[cb1000rider]

TSRA has limited political capital, and a sizable portion will be used this time to kill anti-gun bills that are introduced in response to OC. On top of that legislators are asking that the long gun OC stop, and if it doesn't it hurts our efforts and devalues political capital of ALL progun groups/efforts.

That is something that makes sense to me.. Strategically. I'm glad someone explained it.

Clarify: They're asking for all long gun open carry to stop, even public demonstrations that have a political basis and comply with local rules + notify law enforcement?

[G.A. Heath]

I don't know exactly what the legislators/candidates are asking for, I know only what Alice and Charles said which they are asking Alice to call for a stop to the long gun OC events. You can hear that in the audio link I provided above. I suspect that well planned and well organized event that is coordinated with law enforcement similar to the Alamo event would not be seen as negative. The problem with such an event it now lacks the unique flavor and the novelty has been devalued by the more common distributed marches/events.

[tommyg]

Open carry is a mistake it will stir up the anti gun crowd
A BG will go for the open carriers first
Open carry will result in more "gun free" areas
Keep your guns hidden
concentrate on getting rid of slaughter I mean gun free zones

[G.A. Heath]

Open carry is a mistake it will stir up the anti gun crowd

Owning firearms, Concealed Carry, Gun Shows, Gun Manufacturers, self defense, ect. all stir up the anti gun crowd.

A BG will go for the open carriers first

Where has this happened in the other states? Additionally it will give me more time to react to the threat while they are dealing with an OCer.

Open carry will result in more "gun free" areas

Perhaps, but as long as we leave 30.06 alone it shouldn't affect concealed carry much.

Keep your guns hidden

That should be a personal choice.

concentrate on getting rid of slaughter I mean gun free zones

Lets concentrate on improving our firearms rights on all fronts.

[TexasGal]

If gun owners are perceiving the tactics of the OC demonstrations unfavorably, imagine how the gun-ignorant in our state are. Recently a friend who is neutral on guns told me she would vote in a heartbeat for a politician who will outlaw these "hillbillies" (her words) from carrying an AR publicly. I for one am sick of seeing them on the news myself. If a law is passed that stops OC of long guns, it will be on the heads of those who used this freedom so rudely it forced lawmakers to put a stop to it. If your teammate keeps running up the score for the other side, do you still see him as a person you want on your team? Is it betraying your team to ask him to please just stop doing it? Then failing that, to flat out demand he knock it off and sit on the bench? The idea we must all remain silent for fear the public will see us as divided just makes the public believe we are all approving of this behavior. We can agree with open carry and disagree with tactics that give a terrible impression of us all.