HB195 v. HB??/SB??: Are storm clouds gathering?

[Charles L. Cotton]

As I've said, something tells me two more open-carry bills are going to be filed; one in the House and one in the Senate. Like licensed open-carry bills already filed, these also will be licensed open-carry. Rep. Stickland has filed HB195 that would remove the requirement to obtain a CHL to carry openly or concealed. HB195 certainly faces an uphill battle.

Radical open-carry supporters will obviously promote HB195, as will I, but with amendments to remove off-limits areas for CHLs. However, my concern is that radical open-carry supporters will not be content with supporting and promoting HB195 and that they will viciously attack NRA/TSRA open-carry bills and their authors, co-authors and supporters. They have vowed to do precisely this. As I've said before, OCT and OCTC don't have any political clout nor can they impact any elections. However, they have proven themselves to be masters at getting negative, counterproductive publicity and if they lash out at pro-gun people they falsely label as anti-gun simply because they support NRA/TSRA open-carry bills, then the political stench they create could doom passage of any form of open-carry. I don't doubt that this is what the leaders prefer, i.e. their way or no way, but I'm equally convinced that all but a small handful of zealots want to see some form of open-carry pass in 2015.

Anyone who wants to see open-carry pass needs to 1) keep emotions in check; 2) support HB195 and the NRA/TSRA bills; 3) communicate their bill preference to their elected officials (when calls-to-action are issued); be willing to vigorously support the NRA/TSRA bills; and 5) be very respectful to all elected officials. This will fall on some deaf ears, but hopefully most people will be heed this warning and avoid what would be a very damaging unlicensed v. licensed war.

Chas.

[anygunanywhere]

[RoyGBiv]

Is there someone at TSRA/NRA/etc. specifically charged with reaching out to OCT/OCTC/Etc and has that dialogue been started?

We know that past OCTC tactics have been hurtful, so sitting on our laurels fully EXPECTING OCTC to shoot us in the foot is not a constructive tactic.

Picking the right (read "credible" in the eyes of OCT and OCTC) person to liaise with the OC folks is an important decision.... Hopefully it being handled as such?

What can I do to help?

[G.A. Heath]

Is there someone at TSRA/NRA/etc. specifically charged with reaching out to OCT/OCTC/Etc and has that dialogue been started?

We know that past OCTC tactics have been hurtful, so sitting on our laurels fully EXPECTING OCTC to shoot us in the foot is not a constructive tactic.

Picking the right (read "credible" in the eyes of OCT and OCTC) person to liaise with the OC folks is an important decision.... Hopefully it being handled as such?

What can I do to help?

There has been communication between OCT and TSRA. I know that for a fact. The problem is ... I better stop there before I violate forum rules by typing what I am thinking. I have personal issues with CJ Grisham in his capacity as president of OCT.

[paperchunker]

As I've said, something tells me two more open-carry bills are going to be filed; one in the House and one in the Senate. Like licensed open-carry bills already filed, these also will be licensed open-carry. Rep. Stickland has filed HB195 that would remove the requirement to obtain a CHL to carry openly or concealed. HB195 certainly faces an uphill battle.

Radical open-carry supporters will obviously promote HB195, as will I, but with amendments to remove off-limits areas for CHLs. However, my concern is that radical open-carry supporters will not be content with supporting and promoting HB195 and that they will viciously attack NRA/TSRA open-carry bills and their authors, co-authors and supporters. They have vowed to do precisely this. As I've said before, OCT and OCTC don't have any political clout nor can they impact any elections. However, they have proven themselves to be masters at getting negative, counterproductive publicity and if they lash out at pro-gun people they falsely label as anti-gun simply because they support NRA/TSRA open-carry bills, then the political stench they create could doom passage of any form of open-carry. I don't doubt that this is what the leaders prefer, i.e. their way or no way, but I'm equally convinced that all but a small handful of zealots want to see some form of open-carry pass in 2015.

Anyone who wants to see open-carry pass needs to 1) keep emotions in check; 2) support HB195 and the NRA/TSRA bills; 3) communicate their bill preference to their elected officials (when calls-to-action are issued); be willing to vigorously support the NRA/TSRA bills; and 5) be very respectful to all elected officials. This will fall on some deaf ears, but hopefully most people will be heed this warning and avoid what would be a very damaging unlicensed v. licensed war.

Chas.

Jonathon Stickland is my State Rep. I have had discussions with him on this subject. He is as pro 2nd Amendment as they come. I am sure you will find him agreeable to passing the best bill possible.

[Jumping Frog]

Grisham gave an interview on KTRH talk radio Houston this morning.

My mother told me if I do not have anything nice to say ...

[RoyGBiv]

Is there someone at TSRA/NRA/etc. specifically charged with reaching out to OCT/OCTC/Etc and has that dialogue been started?

We know that past OCTC tactics have been hurtful, so sitting on our laurels fully EXPECTING OCTC to shoot us in the foot is not a constructive tactic.

Picking the right (read "credible" in the eyes of OCT and OCTC) person to liaise with the OC folks is an important decision.... Hopefully it being handled as such?

What can I do to help?

There has been communication between OCT and TSRA. I know that for a fact. The problem is ... I better stop there before I violate forum rules by typing what I am thinking. I have personal issues with CJ Grisham in his capacity as president of OCT.

So the potential for foot-shooting is real... If I was king, I'd have an engagement plan for OCTC and the like, as well as a dis-engagement plan for when/if they prove themselves more of a liability than an ally.

Given the bona fides of the folks involved on "our" side, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a strategy already in place, but, it would be reassuring to hear confirmation.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Is there someone at TSRA/NRA/etc. specifically charged with reaching out to OCT/OCTC/Etc and has that dialogue been started?

No, nor will there ever be such a person.

We know that past OCTC tactics have been hurtful, so sitting on our laurels fully EXPECTING OCTC to shoot us in the foot is not a constructive tactic.

Neither is talking to OCT or OCTC. There's nothing new to say, nothing that hasn't already been said both directly and indirectly.

Picking the right (read "credible" in the eyes of OCT and OCTC) person to liaise with the OC folks is an important decision.... Hopefully it being handled as such?

C.J. Grisham runs the show and only his opinions matter.

What can I do to help?

Pray.

Chas.

[G.A. Heath]

I have had time to cool down a bit, so let me explain the problem, then again Charles already did with that very last sentence. If you want to hear Charles, Alice Tripp, and CJ Grisham then feel free to listen to http://GunRightsInTexas.com/010/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (The podcast has since been rebranded from the name used in it).

Compare what CJ says there to the rhetoric he is spewing forth now.

[locke_n_load]

As I've said, something tells me two more open-carry bills are going to be filed; one in the House and one in the Senate. Like licensed open-carry bills already filed, these also will be licensed open-carry. Rep. Stickland has filed HB195 that would remove the requirement to obtain a CHL to carry openly or concealed. HB195 certainly faces an uphill battle.

Radical open-carry supporters will obviously promote HB195, as will I, but with amendments to remove off-limits areas for CHLs. However, my concern is that radical open-carry supporters will not be content with supporting and promoting HB195 and that they will viciously attack NRA/TSRA open-carry bills and their authors, co-authors and supporters. They have vowed to do precisely this. As I've said before, OCT and OCTC don't have any political clout nor can they impact any elections. However, they have proven themselves to be masters at getting negative, counterproductive publicity and if they lash out at pro-gun people they falsely label as anti-gun simply because they support NRA/TSRA open-carry bills, then the political stench they create could doom passage of any form of open-carry. I don't doubt that this is what the leaders prefer, i.e. their way or no way, but I'm equally convinced that all but a small handful of zealots want to see some form of open-carry pass in 2015.

Anyone who wants to see open-carry pass needs to 1) keep emotions in check; 2) support HB195 and the NRA/TSRA bills; 3) communicate their bill preference to their elected officials (when calls-to-action are issued); be willing to vigorously support the NRA/TSRA bills; and 5) be very respectful to all elected officials. This will fall on some deaf ears, but hopefully most people will be heed this warning and avoid what would be a very damaging unlicensed v. licensed war.

Chas.

Any idea when those bills will be filed Charles? It will be great to see all the bills out in the open so we can compare, ask for revisions on the ones closest to our goals, then voice our support for 2, possibly 3 bills when the time gets close to put our weight behind.
I don't want to see the pro 2A crowd continue to be fragmented so that we don't get anything passed. There are so many good people here, we just all need to push in the same direction.

[Rrash]

I really do like Jonathan Stickland. I wish I could vote for him. He responded with honest answers (no obvious cut & pasted or pre-fabricated responses) in the last session. It leads me to believe he is really there as a dedicated public servant.

[Cedar Park Dad]

As I've said, something tells me two more open-carry bills are going to be filed; one in the House and one in the Senate. Like licensed open-carry bills already filed, these also will be licensed open-carry. Rep. Stickland has filed HB195 that would remove the requirement to obtain a CHL to carry openly or concealed. HB195 certainly faces an uphill battle.

Radical open-carry supporters will obviously promote HB195, as will I, but with amendments to remove off-limits areas for CHLs. However, my concern is that radical open-carry supporters will not be content with supporting and promoting HB195 and that they will viciously attack NRA/TSRA open-carry bills and their authors, co-authors and supporters. They have vowed to do precisely this. As I've said before, OCT and OCTC don't have any political clout nor can they impact any elections. However, they have proven themselves to be masters at getting negative, counterproductive publicity and if they lash out at pro-gun people they falsely label as anti-gun simply because they support NRA/TSRA open-carry bills, then the political stench they create could doom passage of any form of open-carry. I don't doubt that this is what the leaders prefer, i.e. their way or no way, but I'm equally convinced that all but a small handful of zealots want to see some form of open-carry pass in 2015.

Anyone who wants to see open-carry pass needs to 1) keep emotions in check; 2) support HB195 and the NRA/TSRA bills; 3) communicate their bill preference to their elected officials (when calls-to-action are issued); be willing to vigorously support the NRA/TSRA bills; and 5) be very respectful to all elected officials. This will fall on some deaf ears, but hopefully most people will be heed this warning and avoid what would be a very damaging unlicensed v. licensed war.

Chas.

Chas will any of these include a provision whereby OC is limited via a 30.06 sign? I hope not as that would be a monumentally bad idea if passed.

[txcharvel]

Charles, I believe you've written this elsewhere, but can you give some insight into how supporting open carry in Texas this session will not result in the infringement on our already restricted concealed carry rights? I'm pretty sure we all agree that the antics of OCT have unwittingly made a lot of businesses decide to post their stores under 30.06.

I support open carry, but I would rather see the restrictions on concealed carry rolled back vs. getting open carry on the books. Having open and concealed carry with restrictions is less appealing when compared with the possibility of concealed carry and no/or fewer restrictions. Campus carry, I believe, is a bigger deal than open carry. Just my two cents of course.

Thanks

[Cedar Park Dad]

Charles, I believe you've written this elsewhere, but can you give some insight into how supporting open carry in Texas this session will not result in the infringement on our already restricted concealed carry rights? I'm pretty sure we all agree that the antics of OCT have unwittingly made a lot of businesses decide to post their stores under 30.06.

I support open carry, but I would rather see the restrictions on concealed carry rolled back vs. getting open carry on the books. Having open and concealed carry with restrictions is less appealing when compared with the possibility of concealed carry and no/or fewer restrictions. Campus carry, I believe, is a bigger deal than open carry. Just my two cents of course.

Thanks

Agreed.

[RoyGBiv]

Charles, I believe you've written this elsewhere, but can you give some insight into how supporting open carry in Texas this session will not result in the infringement on our already restricted concealed carry rights? I'm pretty sure we all agree that the antics of OCT have unwittingly made a lot of businesses decide to post their stores under 30.06.

I support open carry, but I would rather see the restrictions on concealed carry rolled back vs. getting open carry on the books. Having open and concealed carry with restrictions is less appealing when compared with the possibility of concealed carry and no/or fewer restrictions. Campus carry, I believe, is a bigger deal than open carry. Just my two cents of course.

Thanks

Agreed.

If I had to choose between HB 3218 (2013) and OC, I'd choose 3218.
Hopefully we can get both (and campus carry) in 2015.