Open Carry in Texas

[haskovez]

There was a nice writeup about Open Carry in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram:

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/22/2209564/gun-rights-advocates-pushing-for.html

I think we need to really push this.  I know a lot of people don't like Open Carry, and personally I don't think I would Open Carry as I do feel it is a tactical advantage.  But if Open Carry is legal if one were to print accidentally when carrying concealed you wouldn't be committing a crime.

[SirBrass]

Not to mention that why should your legal status go from legal carry to illegal carry just b/c you failed to let your shirt hang over your firearm?

That's why AZ passed constitutional concealed carry.  If it was legal for us to OC without a license, then why should it be illegal to conceal without a license.

Same argument for TX:  if you can carry concealed with a license, why is it then illegal for a permit-holder to OC?  All that has changed is the shirt.

[Aaron L]

I agree 100% that we should have open carry here in Texas and that we should push hard to get it. Whether or not one chooses to use it is up the the individual, but we should have the option to if we so choose. Not only that, like you guys said, the issue of printing should not be an issue of whether or not you're breaking the law. I wear three shirts (an Under Armor undershirt tucked in, a t-shirt and a button down shirt) just to conceal so I don't print and you know how freakin hot it gets here in Texas even without the humidity. Throw in the humidity factor and its quite unbearable. Granted I could stand to lose a few pounds and I'm working on that, but it sure would be nice to not have to layer up like that and sweat like the pig that knows he's dinner just to protect myself. At least with open carry I could use an OWB holster and throw a button down shirt over it and leave it unbuttoned thus being semi-open carrying.

Another thing I feel very strongly about and I feel we should push for is SB 730 (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB730)which relates to an employee's transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee's employer. An employee should not have to choose between their job or their safety. Their employer is not going to assume responsibility if their employee is attacked going to or from work so why should they have the right to tell them they cannot keep their firearm in their vehicle. Hell you can even have a firearm in your vehicle in a school parking lot in Texas. Anyway, SB 730 has passed the first 4 stages (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB730) and is waiting to be voted on by the House then on to Governor Perry for his signature (hopefully).

I think we should push hard for both Open Carry and SB 730 here in Texas. It only makes sense. Of course I would love to see Constitutional Carry here if we could get that. Maybe we should push for that also and hopefully get it or have a better chance for Open Carry.

Okay, I'm done with my rant for now, carry on. (steps down from the podium)

Aaron

[SirBrass]

That employer parking lot thing sounds ALOT like a bill we (AZ) just got passed last year.

[Aaron L]

Several places passed a bill like that here recently and I do believe you are correct that AZ was one of them. To me it's a no-brainer. Here in Texas your vehicle is an extension of your home, it shouldn't even be an issue. Whats next, your employer can fire you for having a firearm in your home? That's ridiculous!

[SirBrass]

That's exactly what some tried to do in banning firearms from federally-funded public housing.

ANd I KNOW AZ passed the employer parking lot law, as there was resistance from the business communities, etc. that didn't like the idea one bit.  Well, tough for them I suppose.  Bad enough most employers won't let their employees defend themselves at the workplace thanks to their fear of liability.