Texas Right To Open Carry!!!

[texas_rebel_1980]

IMO, open carry is a bad idea, i think it is a shoot me first sign. i don't believe we should have to obtain a license to exercise our right to bear arms and what i believe is a God given right to defend ourselves. criminals don't care if they have a license, why should we jump through hoops to be able to carry a handgun.

in saying that, i have however obtained my texas CHL because i am a law abiding citizen. i carry my gun wherever i am legally permitted but believe that we should be able to carry our guns anywhere, including bars. if you choose to carry a gun then you should be responsible enough to not drink at the same time. i carry on my person in my vehicle as well. before i had my chl i did carry a pistol between my seats. i knew that i may be arrested for it but the written law was on my side. i say for the time being it is easier to comply with the law, get your CHL, and follow the law.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Traveling with a handgun even before the change was legal even without a CHL. The change in the law just clarified "traveling" a little more though IMO the original wording of the law was pretty clear and never said anything about distance.

As for all the OC hate flying around who cares if someone OCs. If you are not comfortable carrying OC then by all means please don't. I wish Texas was an OC state but unfortunately it's not. I've been enjoying OC for a few years out here in NC I'll be moving back to Texas tomorrow and will miss being able to do so.

If you want to support OC in Texas take a look at Welcome to the new TXCDL they are working at getting law makers to start allowing OC in the state.

And also check out OpenCarry.org It's a good resource for open carry.

[1lowlife]

IamCPTSpalding, I understand your argument about your rights.
Your OP title states "Texas Right To Open Carry!!!".
Your post focuses on "your right to carry a weapon in your vehicle while traveling".
That is two different issues to me.
Traveling--What good is that "weapon in the vehicle" going to do you when you get to your destination?
CHL--Loaded concealed weapon in vehicle= legal
CHL--Carrying that loaded weapon when you get to your destination = legal.
Open Carry- You still couldn't "Open Carry" (if we had it) without a CHL.

I know I keep shoving "CHL" down your throat, but that seems like the answer to the problem for me.
Problem being "your right to carry a weapon in your vehicle while traveling".

Originally Posted by IamCPTSpalding

I carry in my vehicle, in Texas, because I consider going to the store "traveling" with the cost of gas at $4.00. The DA has to prove it anyway, and a Federal Court countersuit for malicious prosecution just might get the gun grabber fired, so bring it!!!.

Rights or not, I would rather pay $100 for the class, $50 for each of my two renewals, and $140 to the state for my CHL, and avoid all of the above.
I don't have time off from work available and $5k laying around just to defend myself for getting arrested for having a gun in the vehicle, whether I win the case or not.
Your CHL, although it wouldn't guarantee anything, should avoid that arrest.
That is depending on your actions and attitude if that situation would arise.
If you're an ass at this imaginary traffic stop, then don't be surprised if you get arrested.

Originally Posted by IamCPTSpalding

Not yet. But a CHL is not the issue IMO. The legislature is saying I am a criminal for "traveling" with a loaded weapon in my vehicle.
Personally, and you can run all the background check you want, I purchase weapons when I want because I am a good little citizen. Nothing to stop me because I play by the rules.

I know you don't think CHL is the issue.
But, if you want to play by the rules, then get your CHL.
Drive all through Texas and any other reciprocating state (Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and many others) and not have to worry about it.
You could even carry that pistol around with you.

Originally Posted by IanCTSpalding

Still don't believe a CHL in Houston is gonna work in 95 degree, 90 percent humidity without giving a print/flash in my shorts, but ricky the lowlife baggy pants doesn't worry.

That's not an issue IMHO.
I've been carrying in Dallas, maybe less humid but usually hotter, for over 10 years.
Unless you are one of those I gotta carry a 45ACP or nothing types, then there are plenty of options for summer carry.

Originally Posted by IamCPTSpalding

Back to you original, attention to myself? Who said I'm gonna brandish the thing and run around like a clown? That's the first thing that get's you arrested. Last time I fired a weapon at someone (while not employed by the USA), I was 13, and guess what, my parents home was never broke into again while they lived there for the next 22 years. I'm almost 40 now. So once, in 40 years of civilian life. Guns work. They get rid of the defective scum on the planet, and force most of that scum to leave the rest of us alone.

But I see the argument a comin.

Nice avatar!

Avatar..thank you.
You're in Houston, so you should understand this;
I feel if I were to open carry in parts of Dallas, that would put me more at risk for a problem than if I were to conceal and carry.
10 or 15 gang bangers with guns, that want to catch you off guard, just to jack with you.
But in your defense these guys may just jack with you whether your OCing or not.
But I tend to stay out of these areas.
I moved out of Dallas county last year just to distance my family from the woes of the big city.
I guess I would just rather not deal with the issues from others, stares, ignorance of the non-carrying community (unfortunately most of the population), and other problems of OC.
But I have no problem with any one else doing it.
If you feel comfortable with it (and if it was legal) do it.
I also look at it differently than you do.
I don't want my neighbors and others knowing I carry.
I don't want them knowing I have guns in my home.
For instance if you were to open carry;
What is going to stop someone from following you home (or running your plates on publicdata.com) and breaking into the house to steal your guns when they know no one is home?
Call me paranoid but out of sight--out of mind.

Originally Posted by texas_rebel_1980

IMO, open carry is a bad idea, i think it is a shoot me first sign. i don't believe we should have to obtain a license to exercise our right to bear arms and what i believe is a God given right to defend ourselves. criminals don't care if they have a license, why should we jump through hoops to be able to carry a handgun.

in saying that, i have however obtained my texas CHL because i am a law abiding citizen. i carry my gun wherever i am legally permitted but believe that we should be able to carry our guns anywhere, including bars. if you choose to carry a gun then you should be responsible enough to not drink at the same time. i carry on my person in my vehicle as well. before i had my chl i did carry a pistol between my seats. i knew that i may be arrested for it but the written law was on my side. i say for the time being it is easier to comply with the law, get your CHL, and follow the law.

That is pretty much how I feel about.

IamCPTSpalding, I'm not trying to pick a fight with you.
So please don't take my comment and opinions that way.
Looking forward to your comments........

[ForTehNguyen]

Originally Posted by UncleBuck

Exactly. Getting Texas CHL is brick simple..... that is if you qualify.

yea the hardest part is the 3 month wait because of application backlogs

[texas_rebel_1980]

preach on brother, i waited 92 days for mine, but wouldn't ever want to be without it now!

[TexicanKid]

Open Carry is a great idea, even for those of us with CHL. Today, in Texas, if a CHL holder fails to conceal his or her weapoin, then they can be charged with a crime. But "Open Carry" would give us one line of defense were the wind to blow our shirt up or the weapon to create a conspicuous bulge in our attire.

Plus, while Open Carry could cause some folks in urban settings to freak out, in rural areas it would be less so. A farmer, rancher, or small businessmen needs the freedom to carry a revolver on his belt, openly if he so wishes.

I support Open Carry.

[Brickboy240]

It is legal to carry a rifle, shotgun or pistol (loaded or not) in your car in Texas. Travelling or not. The revamped Castle Doctrine law got rid of the confusing "travelling" verbage on our old State Penal Code.

I carry a pistol in my vehicle all the time. Several cops know this and have never said a ting to me about it not being legal.

Yes, I too have my misgivings about open carry. I'd rather the crooks NOT know if I have a gun. Beleive me, they'll get to see it if they get too close! The few times I HAVE had to take my pistol out...the guy left faster than he arrived and I did not come even close to having to shoot or even aim at the guy. He saw the gun in my hand and took off.

I know...some think wearing a gun on your belt where everyone can see it, acts as a "do not disturb" sign, but it could also act as a "rob me..I am definately carrying something valuable and worth alot of money" sign. Think about it...some crook could see you carrying a nice pistol and rob you with his Davis or Hi-Point in order to relieve you of your nicer pistol. Its just something else that could possibly MAKE you a crime victim...like wearing a Rolex...you're just begging for something bad to happen by showing everyone something like that.

It has NOTHING to do with my wanting to restrict the gun rights of ANYONE. God knows I am a very pro-gun person. I just don't think open carry is a smart idea, but otherwise I am cool with almost all our Texas gun laws, including concealed carry.

So for all the John Wayne swaggering and machoism of having that cool pistola out in the open, I say you're just asking for trouble. Especially since most illegals and felons are not permitted to legally buy a handgun - you're just showing them that you have something they might want. Would you put a sign outside your home, noting that you have a hi-def tv, jewelry or other valuables inside? Hell no...so why advertise your sidearm?

So I am also calling BS on the value of open carry. The bad things outweight the good it might do.

I would also love to see the data on how many CHL holders that have actually been fined or hurt, otherwise because they were "printed" and found out. I hear stories and alot of "what if my shirt blows up in the wind" stuff but nothing concrete. Another overblown non-problem if you ask me. Would Open Carry solve these problems? Probably, but again, if there is not concrete data on this...it is not a problem.

- Brickboy240

[RobFMJ]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

I know...some think wearing a gun on your belt where everyone can see it, acts as a "do not disturb" sign, but it could also act as a "rob me..I am definately carrying something valuable and worth alot of money" sign. Think about it...some crook could see you carrying a nice pistol and rob you with his Davis or Hi-Point in order to relieve you of your nicer pistol. Its just something else that could possibly MAKE you a crime victim...like wearing a Rolex...you're just begging for something bad to happen by showing everyone something like that.

It has NOTHING to do with my wanting to restrict the gun rights of ANYONE. God knows I am a very pro-gun person. I just don't think open carry is a smart idea, but otherwise I am cool with almost all our Texas gun laws, including concealed carry.

So for all the John Wayne swaggering and machoism of having that cool pistola out in the open, I say you're just asking for trouble. Especially since most illegals and felons are not permitted to legally buy a handgun - you're just showing them that you have something they might want. Would you put a sign outside your home, noting that you have a hi-def tv, jewelry or other valuables inside? Hell no...so why advertise your sidearm?

Couldn't have said it better myself...

[ForTehNguyen]

if OC was legal in TX i still would carry concealed, thats just me

[Ride the Lightning]

And yet another vote for OC=shoot me first and steel my gun to commit other crimes.

The only real benefit I can see for open carry is that it would protect people if their gun accidentally became visible. From the cops I've talked to about that, most will just advise you that you are not concealled and call it a day. There are always jerks out there that want to cause you problems, but most cops around here recognize someone CC as an ally, not an enemy.