Texas Surrounded!

[Conagher]

House Bill 3354 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 74-24 vote Tuesday. It now proceeds to the governor.

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12423748

[shootthesheet]

Here's a question I just thought of.

Let's say you went to visit one of these states that has reciprocity with Texas and it happened to be an open carry state. Does that mean that with your Texas CHL you could openly carry just like the people that hold CHL's from that state?

Also, do these states give you an option to conceal your handgun if you choose, or is it open carry or don't carry at all?

I am not a lawyer, but here's a layman's understanding of the answers to your questions.

If a state has an open carry law, you may carry openly there with or without a CHL from TX or any other state, subject to that state's restrictions on places where carry is not allowed.

Be careful where you go and try open carry. Some states, like Arizona and Virginia allow for open carry without any kind of license. Other states, like Indiana and Oklahoma, I believe, require a license to even open carry. I'm stating this from memory, but I know some states require a license even for open carry. Be careful and check the laws of the state you visit to make sure you are legal. Handgunlaw is the best source I can recommend.

Also, be careful in those states that allow licensed open carry. Texas issues a Concealed Hangun License, so to the best of my understanding, it would not be valid in a state that requires licensed open carry. You could open carry only in states where no license is required to open carry.

It is my understanding that in Indiana it depends on what a Non-Resident CCW is for. Since ours is "Concealed" and Indiana law is dependent on the name of the license, I don't know why, we would not be allowed to OC in Indiana on a CHL. I had a discussion on an Indiana gun board with a guy that was recommended by the folks there and he agreed that was the case. So if a TX CHL is going to Indiana don't assume OC is allowed. I have a PA license so I am good.

It is a shame that OK will probably have OC before TX. I am so tired of the fear-mongers bringing up the same false arguments against OC they did about CC and Austin cowering in the corner. As usual, Texas will have to be dragged into compliance with the Constitution just like it did over slavery and other civil rights issues. The issue was poorly handled in 2009 but I put the blame of that on those who claim to be Second Amendment supporters but then destroyed the movement over irrational fear as well as for a crippling need to hold on to a tradition wedged into our laws when Texas was controlled by northern powers. It is hard for a slave to leave the comfort of his masters house. But until we do we will not know freedom or fortune.