Texas gun law battle brewing over 'open carry' proposal

[Maikeru-sama]

Posted on Sunday, 11.30.08

Texas gun law battle brewing over 'open carry' proposal
By Anna M. Tinsley
Fort Worth Star-Telegam
They're setting their sights on Texas and coming out firing. More than a month before the legislative session starts Jan. 13, gun-rights supporters are asking state lawmakers to pass an "open carry" law to let Texans stop covering up the guns they carry and wear them openly.

They are putting their message on billboards, on banners on cabs and in radio ads, asking others to sign on to the cause.

"We are targeting Texas," said Mike Stollenwerk, co-founder of www.opencarry.org, a champion of the growing nationwide effort. "Texas is probably the most pro-gun state, but doesn’t have open-carry laws.

"As Texans realize how restrictive their rights are . . . there will be an awakening. Get ready for a showdown in Austin come January."

Texas is somewhat of an open-carry battleground because it is one of only six states where handguns cannot, in some form, legally be worn in plain view. Texas residents may carry concealed handguns if they have a permit.

link (http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/793968.html)

[Maikeru-sama]

"As Texans realize how restrictive their rights are . . . there will be an awakening. Get ready for a showdown in Austin come January."


:rolleyes:

[sacase]

VA has open carry I don't see why Texas don't.

[WoodysGirl]

I openly admit to being scared of guns. I wouldn't be a fan of something like this passing.

[Maikeru-sama]

Personally, I just think this will spur a proliferation of guns, legally and illegally.

As much as I am for Gun Control, I would think real hard about getting a gun if I constantly saw other citizens openly carrying their guns.

[sacase]

Personally, I just think this will spur a proliferation of guns, legally and illegally.

As much as I am for Gun Control, I would think real hard about getting a gun if I constantly saw other citizens openly carrying their guns.

You would be suprised how many people don't open carry. In the past 7 years I have lived in VA I have seen one person open carry. Its just a nice option to have.

[iceberg]

You would be suprised how many people don't open carry. In the past 7 years I have lived in VA I have seen one person open carry. Its just a nice option to have.

why???

[sacase]

why???

Why not?

[Bonecrusher#31]

You see people with "open" guns in Phoenix everyday....



Its no big deal with me because I have concealed weapon permit :D

[BrAinPaiNt]

Why not?

You were the one who said it was a nice option to have, explain why you feel this. I am sure it does not only include the answer why not because that does not sound like a nice option.:cool:

[sacase]

You were the one who said it was a nice option to have, explain why you feel this. I am sure it does not only include the answer why not because that does not sound like a nice option.:cool:

Perhaps the OP should explain why its not a nice option to have since they obviosuly disagreed. But I will humor you

Allows me to practice my 2nd amendment rights. If I want to carry one for protection I can. It gives me the option to defend myself without having to have a CCP. Honestly, would you prefer to see a gun someone was carrying or not?

People tend to calm down when they see you are armed. An armed society is a polite society.

[Maikeru-sama]

Perhaps the OP should explain why its not a nice option to have since they obviosuly disagreed. But I will humor you

Allows me to practice my 2nd amendment rights. If I want to carry one for protection I can. It gives me the option to defend myself without having to have a CCP. Honestly, would you prefer to see a gun someone was carrying or not?

People tend to calm down when they see you are armed. An armed society is a polite society.

I already did that.

And no, I don't want to see someone carrying a gun.

[iceberg]

Why not?

why is it a nice option? what good can come from living in tombstone and having open guns running around?

i don't see it, but i'm listening. "why not" isn't a very good reason.

[burmafrd]

Actually to me it would seem more logical to be allowed to openly carry vs concealed carry. If it is out in the open there are no surprises and no one can say they did not know. Maybe they were too stupid or unobservant to see but that would be THEIR problem.

[sacase]

I already did that.

And no, I don't want to see someone carrying a gun.

Sorry I meant Iceberg. What does it matter to you that I am carrying a gun? how does that affect you?

[iceberg]

Perhaps the OP should explain why its not a nice option to have since they obviosuly disagreed. But I will humor you

Allows me to practice my 2nd amendment rights. If I want to carry one for protection I can. It gives me the option to defend myself without having to have a CCP. Honestly, would you prefer to see a gun someone was carrying or not?

People tend to calm down when they see you are armed. An armed society is a polite society.

because i can't trust people behind the wheel of a car from not doing stupid things, yet i can trust anyone who can buy a gun to properly use it?

2nd amendment rights. heh, ok. when i hear this i hear copout and "me me me". maybe you can handle a gun. but that doesn't mean everyone can, or should. is the general welfare of the public more important than you feeling studly around town?

i hate guns for some very personal reasons. while i bought one a few years ago, it was for protection sure. but not to run around town and go "e ha". i still have not fired that gun and wonder if i should just sell it and lose the notion.

i'm all for people being able to have guns. but you have a gun to protect yourself you're expecting people to come after you. you'll be more paranoid. and when people start getting shot who are totally innocent, should the get the gun next and come back at you? i mean, they were innocent.

sorry. i see no reason in the world why we should allow anyone who can afford it and takes a class to walk down the street with a gun on their hip.

[iceberg]

Sorry I meant Iceberg. What does it matter to you that I am carrying a gun? how does that affect you?

ok, i like bazookas. can i carry one around now? it's a firearm of sorts.

my brother killed his best friend when i was 8 with a .22 in an accident at home. my other brother and i came home to the mess that night and had to stay at a neighbors for hours on end in tears not knowing what happened while ambulances and policecars were in front of our house.

the next day i walked into the room to see my mom on her hands and knees scrubbing blood out of the carpet. it took 15-20 years before i could ever talk to my brother about it. it's quite possibly the reason why i got the gun, to try and get over it, and never shot it, never found the need in the end.

so forgive me if some dude i have no idea who he is wearing a gun next to me in the elevator makes me nervous. while you can cite that my story is an extreme instance and i'd dare not argue, i'd argue back that the need to actually use a gun in public is just as much an extreme occurance.

so please, at least stop the flippant "why do you care?" crap. you simply don't know why the person next to you would care and you don't seem to give a damn as long as you can carry your gun, how others may feel about it.

all about you.

[burmafrd]

Frankly I would put a restriction ion it that you had to pass a state run training course before you can carry.
Iceberg says he has never fired his weapon = which is a BIG MISTAKE.
learn the quirks of an individual weapon not to mention being able to hit what you need to hit when it matters.

[sacase]

because i can't trust people behind the wheel of a car from not doing stupid things, yet i can trust anyone who can buy a gun to properly use it?

2nd amendment rights. heh, ok. when i hear this i hear copout and "me me me". maybe you can handle a gun. but that doesn't mean everyone can, or should. is the general welfare of the public more important than you feeling studly around town?

i hate guns for some very personal reasons. while i bought one a few years ago, it was for protection sure. but not to run around town and go "e ha". i still have not fired that gun and wonder if i should just sell it and lose the notion.

i'm all for people being able to have guns. but you have a gun to protect yourself you're expecting people to come after you. you'll be more paranoid. and when people start getting shot who are totally innocent, should the get the gun next and come back at you? i mean, they were innocent.

sorry. i see no reason in the world why we should allow anyone who can afford it and takes a class to walk down the street with a gun on their hip.

So basically what you are saying is F the constitution or that it should only matter in places that you think it should. the 2nd amendment is not a cop out, if we start thinking that, it won't be long before other amendments will be cop outs. What's next? free speech? freedom of the press?

When was the last time you have seen someone go "e ha" and start waving a gun around, especially in an open carry state? Its doesn't happen, you are making an arguement on a speculative event that doesn't even happen in open carry states.

I don't expect people to come after me at all. it would take a lot for me to pull one out and shoot someone. I would have to feel very threated for that to happen. If I draw my weapon on someone I am shooting them and I am not going to jail, so I will make sure I am in the right. I don't go looking for trouble and I don't think I am billy bad *** for carrying a gun. Its a lot of responsibility. I don't know to many gun owners who walk around town like they are billy bad ***, in fact I have never seen a legal gun owner do something like that.

Just like you see no reason for people to carry guns I see no reason for them not to be able to exercise their rights. I have never felt uncomfortable with people carrying guns.

As far as you, I would suggest you take it to the range and get familier with it or just sell it if you are not going to take the time to get familier and stay familier with the weapon, you will only end up hurting yourself or someone else if you are not familier with it.

Truth be told, Obama getting elected had a more profound effect on gun and ammo sales than passing an open carry law ever would.

[iceberg]

So basically what you are saying is F the constitution .

i'll stop reading now.

you win. you're not listening to me but congrats. you win.

[iceberg]

Frankly I would put a restriction ion it that you had to pass a state run training course before you can carry.
Iceberg says he has never fired his weapon = which is a BIG MISTAKE.
learn the quirks of an individual weapon not to mention being able to hit what you need to hit when it matters.

yes, and i'm really waiting for the most part for a friend of mine who helped me pick it out to go with me to a gun range and let me learn the proper way. since that doesn't seem to be high on the list of my priorities, maybe i should consider selling it. i've got enough swords and knives running around my house to scare anyone who'd break in. : )

know anyone looking for a springfield armory XD 9mm? >g<

[theogt]

I plan on wearing one of these.

http://www.westernemporium.com/store/media/001732_sm.jpg

[iceberg]

I plan on wearing one of these.

http://www.westernemporium.com/store/media/001732_sm.jpg

that does look better than my plastic holster for my 9mm. :)

[sacase]

ok, i like bazookas. can i carry one around now? it's a firearm of sorts.

my brother killed his best friend when i was 8 with a .22 in an accident at home. my other brother and i came home to the mess that night and had to stay at a neighbors for hours on end in tears not knowing what happened while ambulances and policecars were in front of our house.

the next day i walked into the room to see my mom on her hands and knees scrubbing blood out of the carpet. it took 15-20 years before i could ever talk to my brother about it. it's quite possibly the reason why i got the gun, to try and get over it, and never shot it, never found the need in the end.

so forgive me if some dude i have no idea who he is wearing a gun next to me in the elevator makes me nervous. while you can cite that my story is an extreme instance and i'd dare not argue, i'd argue back that the need to actually use a gun in public is just as much an extreme occurance.

so please, at least stop the flippant "why do you care?" crap. you simply don't know why the person next to you would care and you don't seem to give a damn as long as you can carry your gun, how others may feel about it.

all about you.

Sorry about your brother and his friend, its a shame it happend, but was it the guns fault or was it the person's fault? What' the difference between a gun killing someone and a car? I am not trying to make light of the situation because it obviously had a profound effect on you.

So would you be nervous standing next to someone who was a racist and made racial comments? What about a person who was a neo nazi and made those comments? Should their comments be outlawed, despite the second amendment?

[Maikeru-sama]

Sorry I meant Iceberg. What does it matter to you that I am carrying a gun? how does that affect you?

When I see someone wearing a gun, I typically get nervous and that goes for law enforcement officers as well.

Especially when I am going around town and see them wearing one while doing very mundane, day to day chores.

Like I stated, I believe once you allow open carry, you will see a proliferation of guns.

I am for gun control but even I would have to start considering a gun.

[sacase]

i'll stop reading now.

you win. you're not listening to me but congrats. you win.

No I hear you perfectly well, i was making a point just like you. Look at other states that have open carry laws. How many problems do you see with people open carrying?

You say all you hear is ME ME ME, well I hear the same thing from you. its all about you and what makes you comfortable.

[iceberg]

Sorry about your brother and his friend, its a shame it happend, but was it the guns fault or was it the person's fault? What' the difference between a gun killing someone and a car? I am not trying to make light of the situation because it obviously had a profound effect on you.

So would you be nervous standing next to someone who was a racist and made racial comments? What about a person who was a neo nazi and made those comments? Should their comments be outlawed, despite the second amendment?

i'm not blaming the gun *or* the person. i'm saying it was a tragic accident.

i'm saying, to date, you've still not given me a valid reason why anyone who goes through the process can carry a gun down the street.

in case someone makes racist comments? you'll take care of it?
in case someone is tearing up a luby's, you'll take care of it?
in case someone goes postal nearby you can rush to the rescue?

great. it's your right. but rights are given to us by our own government and society, we're not born into them. if society says "no we don't want this" then no, it's not your right. if the say they *do* want this, then fine - i'll just hate it. i don't agree with all the laws of our land but i do respect where theyr'e coming from and what they're trying to do.

and not long ago i had someone come after me because my friend is 1/5th black and he wanted me wrapped up in that game of hate against her. i just didn't play and he went away.

there are a lot of options for any given circumstance. all i've asked for is why you think you'd be safer with a gun and how the streets could be safer if anyone and everyone who took a course and bought a glock is packing openly also.

so far i don't buy into your answers. they're just... "it's my right!" and yes, i do feel that's a copout answer because you don't have anything else to offer. but i'm still listening.

and thank you for toning it down. i'll be glad to do the same because i do know this likely more personal for me than many others and i could be coming across in a way i don't intend.

[WoodysGirl]

I'm already a cautious individual by nature, but seeing guns out in the open would make me even more cautious. Like Mike, I feel the same way even when I see police officers.

I'm not a gun control advocate by a long shot. I also understand that for very responsible gun owners, it may not seem like a big deal. But honestly how could one know that the guy next to him is carrying his legally? They won't all look like bangers from the hood.

Add to it, you don't know when the next cuckoo bird decides to flip out and shoot up a bunch of folks.

[iceberg]

No I hear you perfectly well, i was making a point just like you. Look at other states that have open carry laws. How many problems do you see with people open carrying?

You say all you hear is ME ME ME, well I hear the same thing from you. its all about you and what makes you comfortable.

while you have a point, i'm not the one wanting to openly carry around a deadly weapon and put my trust in it's use to people i don't know. i don't want to get accidently shot, i don't want the expectant mother next to me to get accidently shot. i don't want the guy delivering pizza to the 8th floor to get shot.

i've not bothered to look at other states and make this issue a priority for me, no. i live in texas and if it comes to a vote i'll vote no.

[sacase]

When I see someone wearing a gun, I typically get nervous and that goes for law enforcement officers as well.

Especially when I am going around town and see them wearing one while doing very mundane, day to day chores.

Like I stated, I believe once you allow open carry, you will see a proliferation of guns.

I am for gun control but even I would have to start considering a gun.

Obama's election had more of an affect on the proliferation of guns than an open carry law will. Texas would not be the first state to have an open carry law, there are 11 states that have open carry laws, how many problems do you see in those states?

As far as an increase in violence, when the old west had open carry laws, violence was much lower than it is now. Violence in areas where guns are allowed is much lower than places they are banned. Look at what happened in Asutrailia when they banned guns.

[Bonecrusher#31]

I plan on wearing one of these.

http://www.westernemporium.com/store/media/001732_sm.jpg


:laugh2:

I saw a dude on cycle last week with one of those...