Texas Open Carry - Effective Jan 1

[paws]

We made several stops around town today and did not see one person open-carrying a handgun except a DPS officer, in full regalia, with his wife, - adopting a puppy !!

We know of at least 2 licensed people who were concealed-carrying, as usual....

HEB Grocery Store did indeed have a sign painted on their sliding door banning open-carry guns. We knew they had made the statement in the news and were looking for the sign - finally saw it as the sliding door closed. With so many people walking in and out, the door mostly stays open - slid into the wall - where the sign can't be seen ...hhhhmmm.

The local tv news did interview one young braggert "bubba" who declared that when something bad is happening, no one else will have a gun, he will use his, save the day, and be the hero.

Oh yeah.... we really needed that kind of publicity....

[Rod69]

Congrats on the open carry Texas! Love what your Governor said to the Constitution ignorer.

[Downtown Cowtown]

Congrats on the open carry Texas! Love what your Governor said to the Constitution ignorer.

Texas is the only state on open carry that requires the carrier to have a chl. That should go. Those that are carrying rifles into a place or on the street should go also, straight to jail, lets be reasonable. Thats unreasonable, MO

Or move to Chicago.

[Sully]

This should handle the threat

[Texan]

Several of us that ride together have been focused on seeing just how many people we see "open carry". Only the 5th day since the law went into effect and we (5 of us) haven't seen any civilian carrying openly yet. I'll never carry open but am all for the law to protect me when I accidentally expose my concealed carry with my shirt coming up or jacket coming open. Felony before...legal today.

NOW, was over in Okla over the holidays and went to a gun show at the fair grounds. Saw numerous open carry in and around the show, parking lot and such. But they have had the law for some time now.

8~\o

[clint44]

Texas is the only state on open carry that requires the carrier to have a chl. That should go. Those that are carrying rifles into a place or on the street should go also, straight to jail, lets be reasonable. Thats unreasonable, MO

Or move to Chicago.

So,if I'm walking down a country road with a rifle or shotgun slung over my shoulder,I should go to jail??

Oklahoma also requires a CHL to open carry.

[desertclassic]

I live just across the Texas State line in Las Cruces, NM. I see more people in NM open carry than I see in El Paso area. When NM went to the CC law, an open carry law was in effect and remained in effect. It goes something like this: You can open carry without a permit. Schools, medical facilities, federal and local courts, places that serve alcohol and all posted no weapons permitted. If you carry concealed, you must have a cc permit. If you don't have a cc and you cc and get caught it is a felony. The same rules apply to the areas that you cannot cc. There are a lot of old guys running around with a 1911, 45, cocked and locked on their sides. Our household choses to CC.

Jim

[Downtown Cowtown]

So,if I'm walking down a country road with a rifle or shotgun slung over my shoulder,I should go to jail??

Oklahoma also requires a CHL to open carry.

Only if ya live in whiskey tall falls, i lived there 3yrs and all should go to jail.

Course living there is close to being locked up, specially in the cool summers.

Shotgun broke open, rifle in a sling around the back. That poses a non violent view of the person an the gun, Thats in our best interest. MO

Its unreasonable for me to carry a ar15 into MC Donalds for a burger, if ****s that bad don't leave the house. My pard carries a fn7 like major nadal used, 30 shots of a mini 556 to me anyway. He carries an extra clip also.

The law dawgs judges always say what would a reasonable man do or say ? If its civil war by all means carry a rifle, if not carry the next best thang. Ive got a ffl should i carry a Thompson or a m60 ? Other than both being heavy probably not. A sidearm is for protection, thats in intended purpose, No ???

A long arm is a different story.

I think those that insist on carrying long arms in an unreasonable manner, really are gun haters and want the law revoked by exploiting the law, much like Muslims and other haters of this place exploit our system.

Public places not country roads, and even then a rifle or a shotgun should not be conspicuous if possible, so as not to alarm the populace, Thats the actions that will get guns put in a position to be confiscated, for the public good of course.

[clint44]

I feel sorry for you. Why do you hate freedom? Coming from a sh#thole like cowtown,why should I be surprised.

[clint44]

I live just across the Texas State line in Las Cruces, NM. I see more people in NM open carry than I see in El Paso area. When NM went to the CC law, an open carry law was in effect and remained in effect. It goes something like this: You can open carry without a permit. Schools, medical facilities, federal and local courts, places that serve alcohol and all posted no weapons permitted. If you carry concealed, you must have a cc permit. If you don't have a cc and you cc and get caught it is a felony. The same rules apply to the areas that you cannot cc. There are a lot of old guys running around with a 1911, 45, cocked and locked on their sides. Our household choses to CC.

Jim

How many days have you been in El Paso since open carry was legalized on January 1?

That's only five days,sir.

As of November 6, 2015, Alaska, Arizona,Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Vermont and Wyoming are constitutional carry states which do not require a permit for open or concealed carry for residents. Hopefully,Texas will join them in the near future.

[Downtown Cowtown]

I feel sorry for you. Why do you hate freedom? Coming from a sh#thole like cowtown,why should I be surprised.

With freedom comes responsibility, i don't hate that but i do hate that shi#thole whiskey tall falls. You wanna carry a long arm in MC Donalds or anywhere else be my guest, but don't point that in my direction, or a fn7 will be pointing back. Fair is fair

[clint44]

With freedom comes responsibility, i don't hate that but i do hate that shi#thole whiskey tall falls. You wanna carry a long arm in MC Donalds or anywhere else be my guest, but don't point that in my direction, or a fn7 will be pointing back. Fair is fair

I accept that responsibility and accept the fact that some people will abuse freedom,as well. That's the price we pay to enjoy freedom. This is not just for firearms but everything. The people who wish to take freedom away won't accept responsibility and would rather sacrifice freedom in exchange for controlling everyone else.

I don't point my firearms at anything I don't wish to shoot. You can count on that.

[Retired Army]

How much mental stability is reflected in a weapons back round check?

[BroadwayPowersports]

With freedom comes responsibility, i don't hate that but i do hate that shi#thole whiskey tall falls. You wanna carry a long arm in MC Donalds or anywhere else be my guest, but don't point that in my direction, or a fn7 will be pointing back. Fair is fair

That's one of my favorite handguns!

- - - Updated - - -

How much mental stability is reflected in a weapons back round check?

Unfortunately only those that have already been diagnosed. There's so many others that just haven't been diagnosed that can easily pass the check if they haven't commited a felony.

[clint44]

How much mental stability is reflected in a weapons back round check?

Take a few moments and listen to this. I think most people will be surprised.

http://louderwithcrowder.com/nra-fir.../#.Vo1vAvkrKUm

- - - Updated - - -

Unfortunately only those that have already been diagnosed. There's so many others that just haven't been diagnosed that can easily pass the check if they haven't committed a felony.

Unfortunately,that's not even the case. Spend a few moments and watch the video.

[ol' school]

Good video...

[paws]

This is a bit lengthy. The article below came from the Midland Reporter Telegram front page - dated today - 1/08/16.

We wonder if Wal-Mart has the legal right to put their employees in possible jeopardy in case someone gets ornery (either the alleged illegal gun-carrying person OR the employee) and the employee (or bystanders) get hurt.

Shouldn't this be a certified law officer's job?

Wal-Mart has to comply with the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission's rules. But maybe rather than put people at risk by stopping and asking them for their permit, maybe Wal-Mart should just put a sign out front to the general effect that if you are carrying a gun on your person, either legally or illegally, you will be asked to show your permit. That might keep unlicensed, carrying persons from entering the store, which is what they are trying to accomplish.

Maybe Wal-Mart will keep a facial recognition file on everyone they ask for the permit so that the security cameras will do the work instead of having to have a pistol patrol employee. That way Wal-Mart won't have to question that same legal, gun-carrying person again and again - every time they enter the store. Seems that law-abiding licensed persons would get tired of that pretty quickly.

And what did you say?...avoid all this drama and leave your guns in the car? And risk getting your car broken into and gun stolen (now the bad guy has the gun and he didn't even have to go through a background check to buy it), or yourself mugged and robbed on the Wal-Mart parking lot?

The answer of course would be to just leave the guns at home and once arrived at Wal-Mart, call Wal-Mart security on the phone and tell them one needs a secure escort to and from the car....
It's amazing how complicated law has made the world today.

Wal-Mart workers go on pistol patrol Retail outletsthat sell alcohol will check gun permits as open-carry law goes in effect By Lauren Etterand Shannon Pettypiece Bloomberg News
AUSTIN— Managers at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Texas have a new task to add to theirlist of duties: asking customers if they have a permit to carry a handgun.
To comply with state liquor rules, the world’s biggest retailersent a written notice last month to stores that sell alcohol, telling managersto ensure that customers who openly carry firearms under a new law havelicenses. Cashiers or door greeters who see someone with a gun aresupposed to alert the highest- ranking employee, who then must approach thecustomer and ask to see the paperwork.
“We do try to ensure that people have a licensed firearm,” saidWal-Mart spokesman Brian Nick. “We are giving direction to our store employeesto ask for a license as our management sees appropriate.”
The notice was sent out in anticipation of the Lone StarState’s open-carry law, which went into effect Jan. 1. It made Texas thenation’s most populous state to allow citizens with a permit to carry handgunsopenly in a holster.
The measure has put retailers in a quandary, forcing them totake sides in one of the nation’s most fraught debates. Gun-rights activistsare boycotting stores that forbid firearms, saying people shouldn’t be punishedfor exercising their rights. Gun-control advocates, meanwhile, are shunningstores that allow customers to bear arms, saying no one should have to shopwhere they feel unsafe.
Stuck in the middle are retailers loath to risk losing businessfrom either side. Dozens of stores and restaurants across Texas, including San Antonio-based H-E-B Grocery Co., one of the state’s largest food retailers,have banned openly carried guns. That’s incurred the ire of activists who havevowed to shop elsewhere. Others, such as Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., havechosen not to ban firearms carried legally, inviting the scorn of gun-controladvocates promising a boycott of their own.
Wal-Mart’s position is unusual because many of its stores sellbeer and wine. That’s put the company in the crosshairs of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which prohibitsunlicensed handguns in establishments that sell such products for off-premisesconsumption. An establishment can lose its liquor license if it “knowinglyallows” a person to bring an illegal firearm on the premises, said ChrisPorter, spokesman for the agency.
Previously, a shopper could have been walking the aisles with aconcealed weapon — legal in Texas for two decades — and store clerks wouldn’thave known. Under the new law, the only way to ensure compliance is to ask acustomer with a gun for a permit.
“Now that it’s open carry, that creates a new space that youhave to cover,” said George Kelemen, chief executive officer of the TexasRetailers Association. Stores like Wal-Mart want “to make absolutely sure thatthe message they convey is, ‘We welcome your patronage, but we sell alcohol,and we don’t want to risk losing the ability to do that.”’
Some companies are trying to walk a fine line by publiclyopposing guns in their Texas stores, while stopping short of postingstate-issued signs that serve as a legal notice that firearms are prohibited.
Coffee giant Starbucks Corp. has requested that customers whoaren’t law-enforcement personnel refrain from bringing firearms of anykind into stores, but it hasn’t issued a ban, according to spokeswoman JaimeRiley.
Target Corp. has also asked customers not to carry guns openly,even though it hasn’t displayed the signs prohibiting the practice, saidspokeswoman Molly Snyder.
That balancing act isn’t sitting well with gun-controladvocates. The Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America hasbegun targeting stores that have publicly opposed the open-carry law buthaven’t displayed the official signs prohibiting it. The group is affiliatedwith Every-town for Gun Safety, a group backed by former New York Mayor MichaelBloomberg that advocates for stricter laws. The ex-mayor is the founder andmajority owner of Bloomberg News parent company Bloomberg LP.
“The strongest statement businesses can make for theircustomers’ safety and care is getting that sign up,” said Alexandra Chasse, aspokeswoman for the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action.
Wal-Mart, which itself sells rifles and shotguns, says it’sasking customers to show a pistol permit only in Texas stores that sellalcohol. When it comes to allowing guns in stores nationwide, the company saysits policy is to follow all local, state and federal laws, said Nick.
Still, its stance has begun to trouble gun-rights activists asthey walk into their local Supercenter with pistols on their hips.
“I find it offensive,” said C.J. Grisham, president ofgun-rights group Open Carry Texas, who has heard from members who shop atWal-Mart that they have been asked for permits. “I don’t want to be treatedsuspect by a place that I’m shopping at.”
When 25-year-old Ashley Bravo de Rueda walked into a Wal-Martin Wichita Falls on Sunday night to buy pacifiers for her infant son and dogfood, she did so with her Bersa Thunder .380 pistol on her hip. Almostimmediately she was approached by an employee.
“She said, ‘Ma’am, you are more than welcome to carry a gunlike that, but I’m going to need to see your license,’” Bravo de Ruedarecalled.
Startled by the encounter, Bravo de Rueda nonetheless pulledout her permit and proceeded to shop.
“The whole time, I felt like I was looking over my shoulder,”she said. “To me, I’m lawfully carrying. I should not be stopped for somethingthat I am not doing wrong.”
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency

[Blueline]

How about just carrying your handgun concealed as your permit allows and avoid all the drama?

[pcombe]

How many days have you been in El Paso since open carry was legalized on January 1? That's only five days,sir.

As of November 6, 2015, Alaska, Arizona,Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Vermont and Wyoming are constitutional carry states which do not require a permit for open or concealed carry for residents. Hopefully,Texas will join them in the near future.

You don't see folks packing open in Wyoming but you better consider allot of people are and conduct yourself accordingly, the problem is meth and alcohol are rampant around here combined with a false sense of security from a gun.
I'm not saying guns are bad ok?

I have my share of them.

Last week we had a drunk couple that got into an argument and he called her names and she fetched the 9mm from under the mattress and shot him in the chest.
She's up for attempted murder and child endangerment and all types of cute shit!

Most folks here who are packing have nothing but a rudimentary training gained from shooting at cans and such. and have no sense about what a shooting situation actually is?

These people are scary and should never be allowed to own a fire arm because their lifestyle combined with no training make them as dangerous as any criminal.
They only have a gun out of paranoia and it gives them a false sense of security.
Do not get into an argument with anyone here, do not flip someone a bird in a traffic situation, If someone gets a little to close when your riding just pull the hell over and let them go their way without any reaction whatsoever.

if in involved in an accident keep yourself absolutely calm, I had two people hit my trike from behind last summer with me on it. One was a young woman with an older guy and I could see the bulge under his sweatshirt and his attitude was confrontational, He lost the bulge when the cops got there. The other was a woman in her 60's and her attitude was highly confrontational, These attitudes when they knew it was their fault were produced by people who are way to over confident in their supposed ability to force a situation to their liking.

These are things you have to look forward too when everyone may be packing, so prepare yourself to be forced to live a kinder more gentle existence and take abuse from people you normally would not take any shit from.
If you think you are defending yourself you better think twice before justifying a shooting because you will need solid proof.

The cops are paranoid and suspicious of everyone they pull over and you better make yourself a non-threat in one hell of a hurry. Stay on your bike and put your hands behind your head?

In short You need to sharpen your skills at judging people in every situation, What is their physical condition? ( drugs or alcohol?).

If their belligerence exceeds their physical ability's to back up their mouths there is a reason for it!
If someone provokes you consider they have a gunfighter illusion. Watch their hands, watch their eyes although some will take that as a challenge? If they are nasty little trolls (male or female regardless of age) there is a reason for it!
If a woman has a purse and an attitude you can just about bet there is holster inside the bag she holds, She is scared and has a victims illusion even though you mean her no harm, she has a gun for her personal protection. ( this is both good and bad) good because she may have the ability to protect herself, bad because she may not have a clear sense of what a shooting situation is? Just as the woman I first told you about.

I have found myself walking away from more than one belligerent little shit that I normally would backhanded because attitude is not a shooting situation.

If you have short temper don't carry a gun yourself it will only change your life for the worst. You are not a gunfighter any more than they are?
Get yourself some professional training if your going to pack a heater.

[pcombe]

You don't see folks packing open in Wyoming but you better consider allot of people are and conduct yourself accordingly, the problem is meth and alcohol are rampant around here combined with a false sense of security from a gun.
I'm not saying guns are bad ok?

Last week we had a drunk couple that got into an argument and he called her names and she fetched the 9mm from under the mattress and shot him in the chest.
She's up for attempted murder and child endangerment and all types of cute shit!

Most folks here who are packing have nothing but a rudimentary training gained from shooting at cans and such. and have no sense about what a shooting situation actually is?

These people are scary and should never be allowed to own a fire arm because their lifestyle combined with no training make them as dangerous as any criminal.
They only have a gun out of paranoia and it gives them a false sense of security.
Do not get into an argument with anyone here, do not flip someone a bird in a traffic situation, If someone gets a little to close when your riding just pull the hell over and let them go their way without any reaction whatsoever.

if in involved in an accident keep yourself absolutely calm, I had two people hit my trike from behind last summer with me on it. One was a young woman with an older guy and I could see the bulge under his sweatshirt and his attitude was confrontational, He lost the bulge when the cops got there. The other was a woman in her 60's and her attitude was highly confrontational, These attitudes when they knew it was their fault were produced by people who are way to over confident in their supposed ability to force a situation to their liking.

These are things you have to look forward too when everyone may be packing, so prepare yourself to be forced to live a kinder more gentle existence and take abuse from people you normally would not take any shit from.
If you think you are defending yourself you better think twice before justifying a shooting because you will need solid proof.

The cops are paranoid and suspicious of everyone they pull over and you better make yourself a non-threat in one hell of a hurry. Stay on your bike and put your hands behind your head?

In short You need to sharpen your skills at judging people in every situation, What is their physical condition? ( drugs or alcohol?).

If their belligerence exceeds their physical ability's to back up their mouths there is a reason for it!
If someone provokes you consider they have a gunfighter illusion. Watch their hands, watch their eyes although some will take that as a challenge? If they are nasty little trolls (male or female regardless of age) there is a reason for it!
If a woman has a purse and an attitude you can just about bet there is holster inside the bag she holds, She is scared and has a victims illusion even though you mean her no harm, she has a gun for her personal protection. ( this is both good and bad) good because she may have the ability to protect herself, bad because she may not have a clear sense of what a shooting situation is? Just as the woman I first told you about.

I have found myself walking away from more than one belligerent little shit that I normally would backhanded because attitude is not a shooting situation.

If you have short temper don't carry a gun yourself it will only change your life for the worst. You are not a gunfighter any more than they are?
Get yourself some professional training if your going to pack a heater.

I have found myself in a situation here in Wyoming where in a public place people are taking out their guns and showing them off to their buddies these are dangerous people!
Listening to their talk I get the impression they see themselves as the armed citizen that is going to come to rescue against the criminal and have the impression they have a hero complex?

I say they are dangerous because if a situation arises if they don't freeze they will yank their guns and just start pulling the trigger without a clear shot at their target, most bullets will miss! Perhaps harming bystanders or you?

IF YOU are calm and trained and have the ability to actually save the day, YOU will have to contend with other armed citizens who do not have your ability, training, or common sense.
Take cover yourself because you really cant control the situation, there are too many variables. It just may be that you will never get a shot yourself because exposing yourself will get you dead from someone else's panic.
Loose your illusions and remember you are only protecting yourself!

If you think im exaggerating think again!
This is what you have to look forward too when open and concealed carry without a permit entitles every idiot with a hero's' fantasy, a victims complex, and drug or alcohol induced paranoia to legally carry a gun in a society where everyone seems to be unstable to a certain degree?

Notice people in a public situation!
In a restaurant or convenience store, at a gas station, in a public park, at the post office, the bar, the gun store, the motorcycle shop. The amateur will periodically touch his gun to reassure himself all is well and his gun is in place where it should be. notice people wearing a large loose shirt in hot weather, look for a bulge where the normally wouldn't be one, these are amateurs and potentially dangerous.

Do not put yourself in a position to be harmed.