Texas Right To Open Carry!!!

[IamCPTSpalding]

Originally Posted by 1lowlife

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........

1lowlife,


Let me start by saying I didn’t want to quote you because I will try to be brief. Also, I'm not sure I could figure out how to do the cool thing you did.

I know the best solution for the short term will be a CHL. I just wanted others to know that if you live here in Texas, there is at least a small petition circulating for your enjoyment. Sign it if it turns you on.

Like smoking, I quit after 26 years. I do not ask others to quit. Nor do I look at them with disdain or ask them to go outside. It is their personal right (It takes a man to quit smoking; It takes a Brave man to face Cancer). If I don't agree, I step back. Personally, I don't stand that close to people I don't know anyway. Now....


Sorry for the confusion on where I carry. I carry within the law now so as not to screw up my chance for the CHL at a later date. I was away for 17 years Soldiering with Uncle Sammy (8 active, 9 to get back home). Anyway, a lot has changed in Texas after I left. That is not the point.

I only mentioned my vehicle because my rotating shifts occur in night hours, I choose to roam where/when (no tresspass!!!) I want depending on what I want to purchase/where the best deal is, and after all, Texas is still a "free range" state. I just want my weapon with me just like my ID. I shouldn't have to "think" about personal protection, but society has made the choice for me.


To show my viewpoint of Castle Doctrine, I can point to overbearing individuals, but that goes with personal views from the LEO/prosecutor. I can't pick at all unless I worked there and knew of individual officers and how their day was going. So case is made/not made on "feelings" of officer. I should be ok, but no one is innocent (sarcasm). I worry about losing more of my rights, just as all of us should. So I have joined this forum, not to coerce, but to discuss other opinions.

Funny thing is my neighbor "Charlie" (named changed for witness protection J/K) is a CHL instructor. I have known the man for the past 2 years (been back in TX for 3) and still can't coordinate a time with him do to my schedule. So, I could change jobs, but I do like the bills it pays. I just put the money on the paperwork with TDPS. Now maybe I can get the class, and be approved before November.


I have never been an ass at a traffic stop. My father is retired HPD. 33 years. I learned early just what goes on in the LEO world. I have a different perspective on life and lessons learned. Five other members of my family work for HPD. My aunt 20 years, uncle, hell.... He is a lifer. Plus, being an ass at a traffic stop will ensure your fixit gets the ticket, a free air conditioned ride to the nearest detaining center, or worse (can you say heft hefty cinch sack). The Officers have a hard enough job without smart lippy thinking.


As I said, the heat and humidity is a B!t@H, but I will deal with it. The weapon I was thinking of open carry would be the new Ruger LCP. No big "Hog Leg". No John Wayne. No little man syndrome. Just a heater BARELY bigger than a cell phone, and faster than a helicopter ride to Herman Hospital. I have other weapons to choose from, I just chose not to let others know my inventory. It is not prudent, nor do most others list everything due to the fact we all like surprises.


I honestly value your comments and opinion. No fight, no offense taken or made. I grew up with the moral/ethical dilemma raging every day (you should hear the family reunions). I understand where to carry and where not to. I just want my rights back, just like I want my taxes to decrease, and OC hasn't been performed/discussed in Texas for a really long time (opinion....I'll look it up right after dinner.... I swear). You make valid points why you would prefer not to. I appreciate that.


Everyone, Thank Kermee for the AWESOME site! Your opinions matter and at least the discussion is up. America is Freedom, voice, assembly, sovereign citizenry, privacy, due process, and well... we learned of it in school.


1lowlife. Thanks. Hope you can understand why I put it up.

[IamCPTSpalding]

Originally Posted by TexicanKid

No, no, no. Not open carry to carry openly, but rather open carry to not be in violation of a crime if you fail to conceal properly during concealed carry.

The main benefit of Open Carry is to strike down another senseless gun law. The wise will choose properly when deciding whether to conceal or openly carry.

+1, a first amendment to the CHL prehaps. I have never been afraid of a pistol on someones hip, openly displayed. But the flash, well, it puts the bug in the back of the head. Anyway, I don't say sheeple anymore. I consider us Texans more like "polled" cattle. Well, some of us are at times. But at least give it a thought, it' better than being told after the fact.

[BoomerBSG]

Originally Posted by IamCPTSpalding

As long as the officer doesn't freak, collar you for being a gang banger, and the DA has a bad hair day/camera op. Nah, nothing to worry about.

hi guys.. looooong time no post for me.
i sold my XD's and was bitten by the 1911 bug.

i just wanted to comment on this remark.

in texas if your carrying in your vehicle and you dont have a CCL/CHL. you do not have to let the officer know you have a firearm in the car unless he asks.
they generally dont ask unless you've commited an offense worthy of them to ask you to get out of the car and/or give you a roadside sobriety test.

if the officer asks you if you have a weapon in the vehicle, you must then tell the officer your carrying concealed in the car.
i've talked to two different HPD's a sheriff and a constable.

i'll be taking my CHL next week though. up untill now i've been carrying in my vehicle, and i dont fear the police. i was carrying a print out of the bills changes for a while, but i seemed to have misplaced it.. just in case i get pulled over i can show that to a police officer who doesnt know about the changes...

cheers

[1lowlife]

Nice response IamCPTSpalding.
My responses to your responses, but probably not in order..
First of all, thank you for your service to the country.
I'm sure Houston has changed a lot since you were gone.
Unfortunately Katrina had much to do with that.

Congrats on quitting smoking, I never smoke did but I'm sure it was tough.
Besides, $5 a pack now, who can afford that?

I too usually work afternoon and evenings, getting off in the early hours.
Which is what helped with my decision to get me CHL some 10 or 12 years ago.
Although I really didn't start to carry regularly till about 4 years ago.

You have a very calm demeanor and fairness in your posting.
A good way of getting your point across without being rude or condescending.
A wonderful trait to have on this forum...

I guess my biggest confusion was open carry and vehicle carrying.
Then I just went on a rant.

You have more connections to LEO than I ever will...I hope.
There several coworkers of mine that would rather argue with the cops than just take their (deserved) citation and deal with it appropriately.

I guess I'm really not someone that likes confrontation so getting a CHL would prevent the issues of gun in the car issues.
I won't drag it all out again, you know what I mean.

No offense meant about the 45acp or nothing, but you know the type.
I love my 45, but I rarely carry it.
For summer carry it is either the Ruger LCP or the S&W 642.
I have several posts about either posted.
The LCP is certainly easier to conceal because it is thinner.
My only LCP advice is to get accustomed to using the first finger pad of your index finger on the trigger.
I found this was the best way to shoot this little gun.
But I've had no problems or malfunctions in 150 rounds.

AS far as the OC part, I have no objection to anyone wanting to do it in Texas.
I just know that it isn't something I would do.
I support anyone that wants to though..

You're an asset to the forum and a great Texan.
I look forward to your posts in the future...........
Get that CHL when you have time...
It has almost become second nature to leave the house and grab a pistol to take with me.

[Brickboy240]

Really, I don't care if this passes or not.

I guess my view is that if this passes and you want to open carry - go ahead..I don't have a problem with it. However, I personally don't think its a good idea (for me) and I won't be doing it. I won't sign a petition or call my representative on this either...but if it passes and you want to do it...go right ahead.

- brickboy240

[IamCPTSpalding]

Originally Posted by 1lowlife

Nice response IamCPTSpalding.
My responses to your responses, but probably not in order..

1LowLife,

Seriously, I didn't consider it a rant. Thanks for the kind words. I like this forum for the reasoning, sometimes heated, and funny diatribe that can hopefully get all of us (gun owners and enthusiast) back out into the light. None of us really want trouble, we go out of our way to avoid it, but we also have taken the responsibility to defend ourselves and loved ones. This is a huge task, and I support every one of you, even if you chose not to carry -ever- it is your right to chose.

So seriously, thanks. I look forward to seing you around.

By the way, you got mad skills on the net foo!!! I love how your able to do that stuff. I'll probably never figure it out, but I'm gonna try.

Cya.

Ps. I have been looking for the history of OC in Texas.... but my brain is just too little to find it.

[1lowlife]

This forum may or may not have any info on the Texas OC issue.
TexasCHLforum.com • Index page
But it does center around Texas CHL.
There is a lot of other info on it as well.

Welcome to TexasShooting.com

[Bill in San Jose]

Originally Posted by IamCPTSpalding

Also, in Texas, unlike Commiefornia, I have no duty to back away and let John Q. Criminal just take my property, life, or Liberty.

Friend, I would never compare your rights to carry and mine in the same breath. We've lost many firearm ownership rights here in CA, which is obsence.

But your statement is a misconception, and wrong. Even CA residents are surprised to learn that there is no 'back-down' law on the books in CA.

See this link, it's on pages 26-27.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/Cfl2007.pdf

Some counties allow a person to easily obtain a CCW, others (like mine) are impossible. Comes down to most of CA is rural, agricultural and pretty conservative if measured on a # of counties or square mile basis, but the big coastal cities have the population and political pull.

God bless Texas.

[IamCPTSpalding]

I feel for you Bill. I lived there for a while (like 9 years in a coma), and because I lived in the sticks, the SHERIFF denied my CHL because he could see no need. Funny, I worked in the city, had to go to town to get groceries, had wild dogs in the yard daily, had a dope head dealer living 2 houses down (which the sheriff office did nothing about)..... but I know I would have been sued if I used anything more than a bb gun to scare an intruder.... I digress.

Anyway, beautiful state, just not a place for anyone with the idea of freedom.

But Bill, thanks for the contribution, and your time, as this is the only way to express ourselves (and be heard) without being called a "gun nut".