Open Carry...Lets talk.

[Judge]

http://www.kwtx.com/centraltexasvotes/l ... 70124.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


AUSTIN (April 28, 2011)--The Texas House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety wants to take “concealed” of the state’s concealed handgun licenses, voting 5-3 in favor of a bill that would remove the word concealed from the law that allows Texans to have a handgun license.

The so-called "open carry" law would allow license holders to carry their weapons in plain view wherever they would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun.

The rules for getting a permit to carry the gun would not change.

Texarkana state Rep. George Lavender authored the bill approved Wednesday.

During a committee hearing last week, advocates said the law would deter crime while opponents warned it would create a dangerous and intimidating climate in densely populated cities.

The bill goes to the full House for consideration.


Think it will go?

I sure do hope so.

Looks like they will just get rid of the "concealed" part.

Granfathered in?

[Beiruty]

Welcome, it's hot debated issue on this board. Most CHLer may not change habit and open carry unless in the wilderness or out of big cities. I do not mind when going to the range to oc, but I do not see myself walking into a bank or costco with that evil sidearms holstered to my strong side.

[redlin67]

Also welcome, this has been talked about and debated in many other post.

[Judge]

CHL holer here..been one for over 16 years....When it first got passed. I carry 80% of the time.

In my line of work...self employed...I sure would welcome it.

I don't see the heated sides of it here. We all want more gun rights. Everyone should have the freedom to choose. Concealed or open.

Pretty simple.

Shane

[McKnife]

I WANT OPEN CARRY! It's how it should be!

We need to condition the public to accept visible guns on hips as an EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE!!!

[steveincowtown]

An OC thread...man it has been almost 15 minutes since this came up.

j/k

OC with correct implementation that has zero impact on CHL'ers- Of Course.

Former VA boy, and I can tell you that I never found it to be a big deal. Will a rotten apple occasionally draw negative attention to themselves while OC'ing? Sure will? However, I have seen more people bring negative attention to themselves using the 1st Amendment then the Second...rights are rights.

[The Mad Moderate]

I WANT OPEN CARRY! It's how it should be!

We need to condition the public to accept visible guns on hips as an EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE!!!

I don't get the whole "people will be intimidated argument" it doesn't seem to hold water if you ask me. The only time I would ever have a problem with a gun in public is if I'm looking down the wrong end, other than that, carry on.

[terryg]

Here is one of the more recent threads in which the concerns with the existing bill are well expressed.

viewtopic.php?f=110&t=44594" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Judge]

The only way to look at it is....It's another right as gun owners, we are getting back.

If you choose to use that right then so be it, if not ,..then I support you as well.

Isn't living in America awesome.

[Keith B]

Since there is a large open carry thread already running (link listed above), please move discussion to that thread.