The Texas Open Carry bill has been filed

[Machx2]

This is an interesting read. Makes alot of good points.

http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/08/martin-albright/lets-talk-about-open-carry/

[ceyko]

Now I'm just arguing for the sake of arguing.

OC is not a social norm and it’s not going to become one. And open advocacy of OC runs a real risk of dragging all gun owners down into the pit of some serious, no BS gun control. Call me crazy, but for the dubious pleasure (and questionable tactical advantages) of walking down the streets with a pistol on your hip, it just ain’t worth it.

What about all these states that allow it?

Open carry states:

Alabama
Alaska
Montana
Idaho
Wyoming
Nevada
Arizona
New Mexico
South Dakota
Vermont
Kentucky
Virginia

Open carry–with restrictions (eg. permit requirements):
Utah
North Dakota
Minnesota
Iowa
Tennessee
Mississippi
Georgia
Indiana
Maryland
New Jersey
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Massachusetts

...it's not like people are running for the hills. This is a copy/paste list so no real research on my part so excuse if there are any problems.

I get what you're saying, but surely there would be mass hysteria in these states otherwise right?

It keeps being brought up, but we have locations doing it already. It's seems similar to saying we should make cars go faster then 50, they may break and lose parts. When clearly we see everyday that is not the case.

If I were you though, I'd be a bit nervous though. How the hell are you supposed to tell lawful from unlawful carrying?

[Aceman85turbo]

How the hell are you supposed to tell lawful from unlawful carrying?

and while doing this how do protect everyone from becoming a target.

[GhostTX]

For the record, there is a case in CA (of all places) where individuals were OC'ing in a restaurant, some thugs saw that and went to rob another place. When they were caught, they said they didn't want to rob the place with the guns.

[Machx2]

Now I'm just arguing for the sake of arguing.



What about all these states that allow it?

Open carry states:

Alabama
Alaska
Montana
Idaho
Wyoming
Nevada
Arizona
New Mexico
South Dakota
Vermont
Kentucky
Virginia

Open carry–with restrictions (eg. permit requirements):
Utah
North Dakota
Minnesota
Iowa
Tennessee
Mississippi
Georgia
Indiana
Maryland
New Jersey
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Massachusetts

...it's not like people are running for the hills. This is a copy/paste list so no real research on my part so excuse if there are any problems.

I get what you're saying, but surely there would be mass hysteria in these states otherwise right?

It keeps being brought up, but we have locations doing it already. It's seems similar to saying we should make cars go faster then 50, they may break and lose parts. When clearly we see everyday that is not the case.

If I were you though, I'd be a bit nervous though. How the hell are you supposed to tell lawful from unlawful carrying?

Seeing a gun makes anyone nervous when you are on the street. Even if it is lawfully. If I search a car and find a gun (not in plain view) my stomach turns a little. I don't know why, they didn't pull it on me. But it is the thought of it. and to the post below, so a crime still took place? They just rerouted their target. I believe store owners should be able to carry openly inside their bussiness. That makes perfect sense to me. Do I think guns on hips are going to prevent more crimes from happening? No, like I said they do them right infront of the police car.

[Machx2]

I am not against the bill completely. I believe some training should be added to it is all. I realize almost all people carrying legally are law abiding citizens.

[ceyko]

I am not against the bill completely. I believe some training should be added to it is all. I realize almost all people carrying legally are law abiding citizens.

Yup, I think a lot of people can support the training side of it. However, from my perspective I have to support one extreme to get something in the middle.

I just wonder how it is all handled in these other states though since I do understand your concerns - as a cop. I suspect if I chose to open carry, I may have to expect some level of increased curiosity from law enforcement.

As mentioned though, I think a lot of people will probably still just conceal carry. Just nice to have the option. We consistently see people (with or without badge showing sometimes I swear) open carry and there is no major problem. Especially if you go to the butch shop in Plano around lunch.

[bubbaearl]

there should be no laws that infringe on my right to own and carry any weapon i choose. stupid damn gun laws mean nothing to the criminal that will commit a crime . but how many times has one gone nuts and killed co workers and such where folks aren't armed ? one person armed could take the sob out and end it. you cant wait on the popo to get there to save you. you need to defend yourself and be responsible for your own life.

[ceyko]

there should be no laws that infringe on my right to own and carry any weapon i choose. stupid damn gun laws mean nothing to the criminal that will commit a crime . but how many times has one gone nuts and killed co workers and such where folks aren't armed ? one person armed could take the sob out and end it. you cant wait on the popo to get there to save you. you need to defend yourself and be responsible for your own life.

A lot of work places forbid guns anyway, and it's law you must abide by your employer's rules.

[Machx2]

A lot of work places forbid guns anyway, and it's law you must abide by your employer's rules.

Yea I agree. I don't think I have worked a normal job that actually let me even carry concealed.

[mikec]

... I realize almost all people carrying legally are law abiding citizens.

How do you legally carry if you're not law abiding?

[Moose242]

there should be no laws that infringe on my right to own and carry any weapon i choose. stupid damn gun laws mean nothing to the criminal that will commit a crime . but how many times has one gone nuts and killed co workers and such where folks aren't armed ? one person armed could take the sob out and end it. you cant wait on the popo to get there to save you. you need to defend yourself and be responsible for your own life.

I find it hilarious that someone named "bubbaearl" would post this. Deliciously stereotypical.

[Cannonball996]

I see gun ownership as a right, one that is guaranteed by the constitution, citizens (not including those who have been disenfranchised due to a felony conviction) should not be required to pay money for classes or for licenses in order to exercise their right.

[Machx2]

How do you legally carry if you're not law abiding?

Easy.... Just because someone has a chl doesn't mean they obey all laws. Make sense? In the state of Texas from 96-99, 864 arrests were made against texas chl holders for violent crimes and 2,337 arrests were made against chl holders for non violent crimes. So those chl holders were not law abiding citizens.... Make sense?

http://concealedguns.procon.org/sourcefiles/sturdevant.pdf

[Machx2]

I see gun ownership as a right, one that is guaranteed by the constitution, citizens (not including those who have been disenfranchised due to a felony conviction) should not be required to pay money for classes or for licenses in order to exercise their right.

So you think anyone should be able to carry and should not have to go through background checks and shouldn't have to go through a safety course? Please... Do you ever think? Just wondering