Who is going to open carry?

[K.Mooneyham]

All of my sidearms have retention holsters. They are all OWB with thumb breaks also. Just my preference as is concealed carry. Going to be nice not to worry about printing or accidental exposure.

There is nothing in penal code about printing, so I won't speak to that. However, even though accidental exposure was supposed to be made "null and void" as a thing by the bill passed during the previous legislative session in 2013, there was still an idea out there that you could end up "taking the ride", even if you didn't end up charged. Now, no one could produce any evidence that had happened, or at least happened very often, but the feeling remained that it could happen, and no one wanted to be "the test case", as folks here like to say. Adding permitted OC removes that doubt unless someone carries into an area where it is specifically prohibited to OC, such as past a 30.07 sign, and that is the individual's responsibility. I know TAM has quite successfully carried concealed OWB for some time now, as he stated above, but many just never felt comfortable doing so. I think that will change, even if a lot of folks won't carry in a fully open manner all the time.

[Beiruty]

since September 1st 2013, there has been nothing called failure to conceal.

[DocV]

I have also purchased a thumb break leather holster on the off-chance I will open carry. My plan is to not dive into OC. I often wear a sport jacket and it is usually too cold for me not to wear a jacket in January anyway. I have also decided that my own gun-owner responsibility model is contrary to my OCing in certain locations: theaters; churches; places and events that attract lots of kids; MDA meetings; etc.

[VMI77]

All of my sidearms have retention holsters. They are all OWB with thumb breaks also. Just my preference as is concealed carry. Going to be nice not to worry about printing or accidental exposure.

There is nothing in penal code about printing, so I won't speak to that. However, even though accidental exposure was supposed to be made "null and void" as a thing by the bill passed during the previous legislative session in 2013, there was still an idea out there that you could end up "taking the ride", even if you didn't end up charged. Now, no one could produce any evidence that had happened, or at least happened very often, but the feeling remained that it could happen, and no one wanted to be "the test case", as folks here like to say. Adding permitted OC removes that doubt unless someone carries into an area where it is specifically prohibited to OC, such as past a 30.07 sign, and that is the individual's responsibility. I know TAM has quite successfully carried concealed OWB for some time now, as he stated above, but many just never felt comfortable doing so. I think that will change, even if a lot of folks won't carry in a fully open manner all the time.

I've carried concealed OWB for years 99% of the time, even at work where I come into the closest contact with people and I really don't want to be made (it's not going to get me into trouble...our company policy specifically allows CC, I just don't want it to be known that I'm carrying). Today I'm carrying a Colt Commander....but I've carried a Glock 17, CZ75, and a K-Frame revolver...all OWB...though lately I've more often been carrying a Sig P938 at work. I always carry a G17, G21, or 1911 on weekends. If anyone has ever noticed I've never noticed they noticed.

[WesTx]

Planning to start using OWB holsters all the time and continue to conceal. I know I could do this already but now I will not worry about it and be paranoid if my shirt is riding up. OWB is much more comfortable and easier to carry full size guns with out buying bigger pants. There might be certain areas that I leave it OC, well see.

[bnc]

Like many have said, I'm most likely to go OWB more often and in general allow a bit more printing. If I do OC, it will be probably only be when I'm in less populated areas or for short time periods (like at the gas station).

Even though I don't plan to be much of an OCer, I'm very happy that it will soon be legal. Passing OC and campus carry were both big wins.

[hovercat]

I will open carry.

[stingeragent]

Wow. Huge turn out on this topic. Thanks for all the opinions. I haven't carried much lately as I've put on some weight (whoops), and didn't wanna have to go buy a completely new wardrobe to make carrying semi comfortable. I generally have very good situational awareness as I was a forward observer in the army. I think the time I would be most concerned is waiting in lines to check out at crowded gas stations, walmart, etc, and some idiot trying to grab it off me. I find it all too common especially in gas stations that people in line behind you will literally get 8 inches behind you. Hard to keep track of what all those folks are doing behind you without facing them. I do live in a fairly small town ( less than 10K ) , so I may wait to see what others do. I have no clue how many folks here have a CHL, but I don't wanna end up being the 1 crazy guy in town that open carries.

[Pecos]

I'm not going to open carry. I feel it will draw unwanted attention. That's just me. I'm really happy that we have the choice though.
There may be a time & place I might open carry.

[denwego]

I plan on carrying openly every moment I can do so. It was my preferred method for many years in Colorado and Virginia, and getting to again here in a better state than those is the greatest Christmas present.

[GlassG19]

I've just picked up an OWB retention holster and will be testing the waters in January. HPD's second 'town hall' on open carry is this evening, just happens to be down the street from me - I'll be attending to get a first-person feel for the chief's tone and planned response. I followed the first one remotely; curious to see if there's any drift or evolution from the first event.

Just curious if you have any thoughts about the HPD's meeting last week? Your opinion? did you change your carrying after meeting? Did they say they're going to check everybody (LTC) whose OCing?

[oljames3]

I plan on carrying openly every moment I can do so. It was my preferred method for many years in Colorado and Virginia, and getting to again here in a better state than those is the greatest Christmas present.

[oljames3]

I've just picked up an OWB retention holster and will be testing the waters in January. HPD's second 'town hall' on open carry is this evening, just happens to be down the street from me - I'll be attending to get a first-person feel for the chief's tone and planned response. I followed the first one remotely; curious to see if there's any drift or evolution from the first event.

Just curious if you have any thoughts about the HPD's meeting last week? Your opinion? did you change your carrying after meeting? Did they say they're going to check everybody (LTC) whose OCing?

I watched both HPD forums, the Abilene forum, and attended my city's forum. I have not changed my plans. I've also graduated from my city's Citizen Police Academy. No I know the chiefs and they know me. I have met and discussed 1/1/16 with many of the officers.

After listening to the concerns of business owners in my city's forum, I am somewhat pessimistic concerning businesses in my city not posting 30.06/30.07. We'll see how it is 1/1/16 and how it progresses after.

I shall continue to carry openly where I can, conceal as the situation dictates, and disarm only if I must.

[SA-TX]

As "an ambassador for open carry" (for those that don't get the reference, review prior threads when I was advocating for TSRA on OpenCarry.org and to a lesser extent trying to explain the views expressed on OCDO here) you might think that I'll be open carrying at the earliest possible opportunity. That's not my intention and never was.

I said that OC was something that should be legal to give carriers options because our liberties shouldn't be restricted by the Legislature. Law abiding citizens ought to be able to decide for themselves given the situation.

What makes sense for me is to continue to carry concealed in the urban and suburban environments where I commonly find myself. There will probably be exceptions to the rule and I'll share those here as warranted.

Like many here, I'll be watching to see how OCers comport themselves and how they are received by our neighbors. I trust that most will be great representatives of liberty and LTCers. I also expect some press coverage (including some negative) early in the year but I predict it to quickly fade as OC is rarely a cause for concern and thus newsworthy.

THANK YOU to TSRA, Charles, and everyone who contributed to this great expansion of freedom. From reports during the legislative session, it was quite an effort. We all owe them a debt of gratitude and an obligation to exercise our new flexibility responsibly.

To those that are going to OC from moment 1, I support your ability to do so although it isn't the course for me. I do agree that exposing the population to "good guy" gun carriers has a salutary effect. Respectfully, I encourage everyone to be themselves and go about their life rather than engage in brash activism. I believe that TSRA and the Legislature passed OC in spite of the OCT antics not because of them.

If/when I open carry I will use my Springfield XD40 in a Serpa retention holster. As for LEOs asking for CHL/LTC, I will have no problem with this as long as it is done respectfully. Like Charles, I believe this is probably a violation of our rights and that will be adjudicated. Until then I want to be understanding that this is very new and time for adjustment is natural. If police are treating OCers as "felony stops" (hands up/on the ground, disarmed, cuffed) that is entirely different.

Blessings to all in this season,

SA-TX

[Rvrrat14]

I'm all for it for most all reasons previously stated.

I feel my OC will be limited to maybe trips from the ranch to town for ice, etc. when I'm already wearing my pistol belt. Mostly in the evening time.

I will continue to CC.

My only concern is the OC folks with the horizontal shoulder rigs, Miami Vice rigs. I was taught that you never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot. I realize it's holstered. I also realize if someone is doing it in CC fashion, I don't know about it anyway. But sitting at a restaraunt and looking down the barrel of a handgun in a should rig is unnerving.

Again, that's my opinion. I am glad the legislature passed the law and extended our 2nd Amendment rights. Carry On brothers!