How to "desensitize" a town for Open Carry?

[Moby]

Jan 1 2016 Texans will be able to openly carry sidearms.
However in some towns local LE will have a problem with this as change never comes easy.

Wearing a firearm can get you arrested for other charges (or have in some towns)

So I'm thinking of ways to "desensitize" the local community establishments so that a MWAG call isn't made every time a legal CHL holder follows the law.

Any thoughts?

[The Wall]

Go have a sit down with local LE folks and discuss what your and their concerns are. See if there's anything you can do to help. Educating the public would be very important. There are many folks that don't even know the OC laws are going to change. Those are the ones that will be making that MWAG calls. Also cooperate 100% if stopped and questioned by LEO.

[mr1337]

1. Open Carry
2. Show people that good people carry guns. Be friendly.
3. Positive interactions with LEO
4. Respect property owners' rights and leave without a fuss if asked to.
5. Maybe have a card or pamphlet to hand someone when they ask you about open carry that briefly explains open/concealed carry laws. Don't just be out in public OC'ing for the sole purpose of distributing these, however.

[Deltaboy]

We need a Open carry card made up and shared so we can print it and carry it along with us. Including the Law on it.

[Vol Texan]

1. Open Carry
2. Show people that good people carry guns. Be friendly.
3. Positive interactions with LEO
4. Respect property owners' rights and leave without a fuss if asked to.
5. Maybe have a card or pamphlet to hand someone when they ask you about open carry that briefly explains open/concealed carry laws. Don't just be out in public OC'ing for the sole purpose of distributing these, however.
7. Try to look like (and be) good ambassador for the 2nd Amendment. Dress well when you open carry. No, I'm not saying wear a tux, but make sure your general appearance is welcoming. Clean cut, sharp lines, etc. go a lot further than cargo shorts and flip flops paired with an Affliction tshirt.

I liked your list, but I felt compelled to add one more for you.

[Moby]

I agree with all of the above.

i am normally VERY anti "CHL Badge". We've all seen them offered on the internet.

I wonder how well these would be accepted if they were mounted on your OWB Holster.
Now I'm just thinking out loud here so please be constructive.
The first thing someone is going to notice is a holstered firearm.
What if they saw a CHL Badge attached?

What do you think? Good or Bad?
I am asking all of this because in AZ OC is no big deal.
In other states where it's allowed you can still catch heat from LEO's.
My thoughts here (and the goal may not be obtainable) is to make Texans feel comfortable.

The new LTC "Licensed to Carry"might be a "anxiety reliever"
Just thinking.

[anygunanywhere]

CHL badge?

Uh, no.

[Beiruty]

Just organize an OC party with Local LE PD and invite local media if any. Dress well behave well and enjoy your time.

[The Wall]

How about wearing a T-shirt that says "ISIS don't mess with Texas." Or "Texas Homeland Security" or "I've got your Six"

Just kidding of course.

Just thinking I feel better knowing there are honest, non criminal folks out and about carrying guns. People need to understand that aspect of LHC. To serve and protect doesn't only apply to law enforcement officers.
My opinion and thoughts for the day.

[Dave2]

People need to understand that aspect of LHC.

Large Hadron Collider? Sorry, I don't de-acronym well without coffee.

[oohrah]

In most small towns I've visited, there is one local watering hole where the police, deputies, and DPS congregate for lunch, more OC in one place than anyone usually sees.

I would frequent that place and become a familiar face, and also befriend a LEO to talk about OC. When the time comes, and you OC into the place, no one will look up.

[Abraham]

Just say 'NO' to the CHL badge idea.

I don't ever want to be seen as a Barney Fife type...or be ridiculed/glared at by LEO's.

Did I mention: Just say 'NO' to the CHL badge idea.

[TexasCajun]

Go have a sit down with local LE folks and discuss what your and their concerns are. See if there's anything you can do to help. Educating the public would be very important. There are many folks that don't even know the OC laws are going to change. Those are the ones that will be making that MWAG calls. Also cooperate 100% if stopped and questioned by LEO.

For smaller towns this isn't a bad idea. For oc in larger cities, we'll prohibit have to wait until it becomes a non issue.

[Moby]

I had another idea about "desensitizing" the locals to open carry.

I'm thinking of finding others that want to open carry and getting a restaurant to approve of a few of us having lunch there once a week. Maybe more than one. This way non carriers would see citizens carrying and not being a threat.

[Abraham]

My opinion: I don't think it's necessary to desensitize a town for O.C.

After a short bit of time passes, LEO's throughout the state will be up to speed about O.C. being legal.

I don't think it necessary to show non-gun folk how we gun folk are not to be feared either. Crusading isn't my cup of tea. Again, that's my opinion.

Our non-threatening actions over time will speak loudly enough to convince the antis or the undecideds that we are not criminals. We're not pseudo law enforcement either.

One of the many reasons for not O.C.ing for me is the non-gun folk might suggest you defend them as if you are an LEO. "Hey man, you gotta gun and this guy is threatening me, help, help"! Or, any number of different scenarios come to mind when others want YOU to step up to the plate for THEIR reasons...

I don't want to be put in that situation.