Texas open carry

[wiredgeorge]

Texas will become an open carry state when the newly passed law legalizing open carry takes effect in January. How many folks in other states already open carry while out on the road? How many Texans are considering it?

 

[2006gold]

Going to continue carrying concealed, myself. While it could be argued that the obvious display of weapons may prevent some knucklehead from starting some nonsense, it also could make the armed individual the first target. I'd rather keep them guessing.

 

[Sloride]

I will still just use my ankle holster and will slip "Shorty" my 357 S&W Body Guard in the front pocket of my jeans if I am concerned

I don't object to open carry, but it's just not my style

 

[BOXX3R]

I don't live in a state where it is legal to open carry, and even if I did and could, I am not a fan and would not choose to open carry. Like 2006gold said, carrying and displaying a firearm openly could make you a prime TARGET.

IF....I felt the need to carry a firearm on my person, and I do not, I would want to carry it out of sight.

 

[Keystone]

In MN the choice is ours. I choose to carry concealed. But I like the option of open if the situation is needed.

 

[wiredgeorge]

I have owned a 45 Colt replica made by Sauer and Sons of Germany (pre Sig Sauer) and have a western holster and it has always been a fantasy of mine to wear it into Walmart. Since Texans are not used to seeing a weapon, much less a real cowboy gun, it would be fun to see the reaction. Can't imagine riding while open carrying but it would make it easier to present the weapon, if needed.

Have a nice US Mil thigh holster (I always carry a M1911A1) and it is made for the 1911. Would be easy to draw seated. An ankle holster for me would be stupid. No point putting the pistol where I can't reach it hehe.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

No point putting the pistol where I can't reach it hehe.

I resemble that remark.

 

[BOXX3R]

Out of curiosity, have any of you actually ever had a situation where you had to bear, brandish or discharge your firearm while out in public?

 

[peteg59]

My current state is an "open carry" state, however a person wearing a sidearm in public is basically never seen.
Seems like it would be an oddity nowadays, & could potentially endanger the person carrying openly UNLESS they are specifically trained in weapon retention techniques.
Just too many crazies running around that might try to try to grab a gun from someone being displayed out in the open, on the streets.
If one needs or wants to carry a firearm, concealed is the best way in my opinion.

 

[desertclassic]

NM is an open carry state. I have a CC permit which is the best for me. Jim

 

[Lil T]

open carry Louisiana

Louisiana is an open carry state and recognizes CC permits from other states. As I took the CC permit training last month I learned some interesting things regarding carrying pistols across state lines. In Louisiana, if you cross state lines with pistol, you can be arrested whether it's open or concealed and in LA a motorcycle is not considered an extension of the home. So concealing it and getting caught on a motorcycle, you can be arrested... But if you get a concealed carry permit, no matter where you have your gun, you are legal unless you carry it in the forbidden zones or circumstances.

So, I got the CCP to be free from hassle when I ride. The instructor did point out a case in Louisiana where a man went into a Walmart and forgot he still had is gun and it was concealed but a lady in Walmart saw him and called the police "saying there was a male in the store with a concealed gun." when the swat team and every law enforcement agency in area took him down while he was in line at cash register, they didn't arrest him for the concealed carry; rather they arrested him for Disturbing the Peace. he fought the charge all the way up in judicial system and LOST. Moral of the story is be prepared for legal battles so use and carry your CC gun wisely. It all depends on who and where you are.:Joker3:

 

[DblTrbl]

as stated above, even if you are permitted to carry, if someone feels threatened (even if you never drew your weapon) you can face charges in a court of law and it could be very costly.
I think that open carry opens up too many avenues against the legal carrier of a gun. IMO, Best to keep it out of sight.

 

[2006gold]

Out of curiosity, have any of you actually ever had a situation where you had to bear, brandish or discharge your firearm while out in public?

Not yet and hope I never need to.

 

[ol' school]

PA is an open carry state also, but you rarely see anyone doing it. I have a CC permit and prefer that. As stated previously, OC raised too many eyebrows in today's world.

 

[RedOregon]

Just FYI, it's not making us an "open carry state" as in anyone who wants to can carry... it just means that if you already have a Concealed Handgun License, you can carry open *if you choose to*. To me, it just eliminates the concern about my shirt blowing up and exposing my concealed weapon. Right now, that could theoretically be a problem; as of Jan 1, it won't matter.

 

[wiredgeorge]

Just FYI, it's not making us an "open carry state" as in anyone who wants to can carry... it just means that if you already have a Concealed Handgun License, you can carry open *if you choose to*. To me, it just eliminates the concern about my shirt blowing up and exposing my concealed weapon. Right now, that could theoretically be a problem; as of Jan 1, it won't matter.

Red, at the last legislative session the law regarding an accidentally exposed concealed handgun was changed a bit. In the past, if you were printing or your shirt came up and a fellow citizen saw the weapon and felt threatened, you could be arrested for a charge of BRANDISHING. Our wise legislators realized that if someone saw your concealed weapon you were not threatening them and this is no longer considered brandishing or a crime. You actually have to threaten someone with the pistol (don't have to actually pull it I think) to be considered brandishing today.

When riding, it is often difficult to keep a loose tee shirt from riding up so I am grateful that the law has been modified in favor of common sense.

 

[CrystalPistol]

I was born and lived first 5 years in Del Rio, Tx. .... I was too young to care about carrying real guns .... but I openly carried my pop gun. :laugh:

We then moved to Virginia in June 1959, it's been an open carry state my entire life. No one gives it much thought, you seldom see anyone not LEO open carrying but it does happen and I've never yet seen open carry cause a problem. Likewise, when I was a Trooper those 31+ years, I encountered a few open carrying ..... never a problem. I was "open carrying" my own self often enough.

I carry concealed these days mostly, but sometimes it's probably discernable to an observer. Unless it is in hand and being pointed threateningly, it has never been "brandishing".

 

[fastfreddy2015]

Yes we in Houston,tx will have that option of open carry come January. I have a cc licence but do not intend to carry openly. I will continue to carry concealed. To many nut cases out there already, why give them an opportunity hurt someone. I just can't see going back to the 1800's wild wild west. But I won't say Never either.