OpenCarry.org organizing demonstration
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:49 pm
Only two days after the deadline for filing bills, a poster on OpenCarry.org is trying to organize a demonstration carrying long guns "around Dallas or Fort Worth." He goes on to say "[t]his needs to happen at least every other month from now until the next legislation begins." The thread quickly became one of carrying pre-1899 handguns rather than long guns. http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum51/23112.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I understand the frustration at not having a bill they wanted filed, but what on earth is this going to accomplish? How does this benefit passage of open-carry in 2011? It doesn't! It's more in-your-face tactics and it will not be well-received by the public, the media, law enforcement or the Legislature. At least SA-TX is trying to convince people to work with the police first, rather than have them get "mob-with-guns" calls (not man-with-a-gun). If they're going to do something counterproductive, then at least his suggestion may reduce the damage.
This would not be the first time a demonstration was held in which guns were an integral part. During the Republican National Convention in Houston several years ago, Quanell X had his New Black Panthers march to the George R. Brown Convention Center holding rifles and shotguns, being very careful not to point them at anyone. The legislative response was to amend the State's preemption statute to allow cities to ban firearms from parades and political gatherings. (CHLs are exempt and can carry.) So a bunch of guys walking around with AR-15s and “riotguns” certainly got the attention they wanted, including a lot of media coverage. In return, the citizens of Texas got a new restrictive gun law.
I understand that some people believe a pre-1899 gun is not a "firearm" for purposes of TPC §46.02. By extension of that logic, it also is not a "handgun" for purposes of TPC §46.035(a) "intentional failure to conceal" by a CHL. Whether this theory is supported by case law I do not know, nor do I care frankly. What does concern me is the response this type of demonstration may receive. If open-carry supporters couldn't even get a bill filed, why in the world would they expect this type of demonstration to be well-received by our elected officials in Austin? Just as the long gun demonstration by Quanell X and his New Black Panthers brought us a new restrictive gun law, an open-carry demonstration using pre-1899 handguns may well see a repeal of TPC §46.01(3) that exempts certain pre-1899 guns and replicas from the definition of "firearm." That is a far more likely response to an ill-advised open-carry demonstration than passage of an open-carry bill. Like it or not, agree with it or not, fair or not, this is precisely the type of media coverage that will get all open-carry supporters labeled as "nut jobs" with general non-carrying public and the Legislature, because of the actions of a few.
This is yet another attempt to force upon the public and the legislature that which OpenCarry.org has not been able to accomplish through the political process. This is a very poor start for 2011 and it is not a method that will attract support for this issue by the TSRA or NRA. Neither organization will allow its good reputation, and therefore its effectiveness, be diminished by attaching its name to an issue that others have made a pariah in Austin.
TSRA/NRA and OpenCarry.org represent polar opposites not only in terms of their legislative methods, but also in terms of effectiveness. Texas open-carry supporters should compare the legislative records of TSRA/NRA to that of OpenCarry.org, and choose the model they wish to follow for 2011. Then form your own Texas-based, Texas-only organization, roll up your sleeves and do this the right way, the Texas way. If you put this group together and if it has absolutely no connection to OpenCarry.org, then I'll meet with your leaders and offer suggestions. Or you can strap on your 1873 Colt, walk around Dallas, go to jail, and kill open-carry for 2011 and beyond.
Chas.
I understand the frustration at not having a bill they wanted filed, but what on earth is this going to accomplish? How does this benefit passage of open-carry in 2011? It doesn't! It's more in-your-face tactics and it will not be well-received by the public, the media, law enforcement or the Legislature. At least SA-TX is trying to convince people to work with the police first, rather than have them get "mob-with-guns" calls (not man-with-a-gun). If they're going to do something counterproductive, then at least his suggestion may reduce the damage.
This would not be the first time a demonstration was held in which guns were an integral part. During the Republican National Convention in Houston several years ago, Quanell X had his New Black Panthers march to the George R. Brown Convention Center holding rifles and shotguns, being very careful not to point them at anyone. The legislative response was to amend the State's preemption statute to allow cities to ban firearms from parades and political gatherings. (CHLs are exempt and can carry.) So a bunch of guys walking around with AR-15s and “riotguns” certainly got the attention they wanted, including a lot of media coverage. In return, the citizens of Texas got a new restrictive gun law.
I understand that some people believe a pre-1899 gun is not a "firearm" for purposes of TPC §46.02. By extension of that logic, it also is not a "handgun" for purposes of TPC §46.035(a) "intentional failure to conceal" by a CHL. Whether this theory is supported by case law I do not know, nor do I care frankly. What does concern me is the response this type of demonstration may receive. If open-carry supporters couldn't even get a bill filed, why in the world would they expect this type of demonstration to be well-received by our elected officials in Austin? Just as the long gun demonstration by Quanell X and his New Black Panthers brought us a new restrictive gun law, an open-carry demonstration using pre-1899 handguns may well see a repeal of TPC §46.01(3) that exempts certain pre-1899 guns and replicas from the definition of "firearm." That is a far more likely response to an ill-advised open-carry demonstration than passage of an open-carry bill. Like it or not, agree with it or not, fair or not, this is precisely the type of media coverage that will get all open-carry supporters labeled as "nut jobs" with general non-carrying public and the Legislature, because of the actions of a few.
This is yet another attempt to force upon the public and the legislature that which OpenCarry.org has not been able to accomplish through the political process. This is a very poor start for 2011 and it is not a method that will attract support for this issue by the TSRA or NRA. Neither organization will allow its good reputation, and therefore its effectiveness, be diminished by attaching its name to an issue that others have made a pariah in Austin.
TSRA/NRA and OpenCarry.org represent polar opposites not only in terms of their legislative methods, but also in terms of effectiveness. Texas open-carry supporters should compare the legislative records of TSRA/NRA to that of OpenCarry.org, and choose the model they wish to follow for 2011. Then form your own Texas-based, Texas-only organization, roll up your sleeves and do this the right way, the Texas way. If you put this group together and if it has absolutely no connection to OpenCarry.org, then I'll meet with your leaders and offer suggestions. Or you can strap on your 1873 Colt, walk around Dallas, go to jail, and kill open-carry for 2011 and beyond.
Chas.
