TexasCHLforum.com

para driver wrote:

PATHFINDER wrote:" - who is the cracker going to target???

that's a good question, and I can answer it, as I work in one of 'those' neighborhoods frequently..
they target other druggies for the most part... otherwise I'm just the freindly, non-threatening, computer
guy who drives a 15+ year old truck(who has a loaded 38 in his pocket).. IF I open carried in this area, it would SURELY draw much more attention than I want...

74novaman wrote:

Ravendove wrote:I appreciate the welcome. I'm currently living in Richardson and I like it very much.

It doesn't really come as a surprise to hear you say we had it easier. I would have figured Texas, of all places, would have allowed open carry from the beginning.

Thanks to the War Between the States. Even when we threw out the carpetbaggers and wrote a new constitution, apparently the politicians decided they liked some of the power that the Reconstruction era govt had enjoyed and kept the right to "regulate the wearing of arms".

Our 2A rights have been infringed upon for more than 150 years now. I hope it doesn't take as long to get it all back, but it is going to take some time and thoughtful planning, as opposed to a "gimme everything right now or I'll call you an anti" approach. Even some native born Texans have grown up used to the idea that we only have what gun rights the govt decides we get to. We have years of programming to overcome. But we'll get there.

clarionite wrote:
I support OC in principle, because I believe it's our right to do so. I like the idea though that if there is an OC law I have to be less concerned with accidentally revealing my carry weapon.

JKTex wrote:I'm trying to get past and out of the all the rhetoric and mess and focus on the bill since it's currently active. I may be missing something and if I am, please correct me. To me, right now, forget the LSCDL. The bill is Rep. Lavender's and he and all other Representatives serves their constituency which is the State of Texas, us.

If it looks like there is any chance at all that it may progress, we need to make sure they know how "we" feel and ask for the changes to be made, or withdraw it. There's no sense in letting it cause any damage, as slight as it may be if it runs out of time. After all, I'm sure most of us have watched our local news and seen it already being discussed. People are hearing about it and when/if it gains a higher profile, it do not need to cause any damage.

JKTex wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:Ah, there it is! Boy, they sure did a good job of sneaking that little sucker down at the bottom! Not that I'm implying a conspiracy! Clearly this is an act of reckless incompetence.

Is there any way we can call or contact our reps to remove the word "openly"?

Inexperience certainly plays a part.

You can always contact your reps and senators about anything. In this case, contact the rep that introduced it, as well as your rep so yours knows what's on your mind.

74novaman wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:I definitely see where the 30.06 signaled will be an issue. Think maybe we could call some reps and have em leave the 30.06 sign alone for CC and adopt a new sign for OC? Or is it a waste and might hinder what we got so we should just scrap the whole thing?

I don't know, but considering the unique status of a 30.06 sign in Texas, and that this will be affecting Texas, I think we can all agree that maybe Texans should be deciding how we want to push for OC and when?

Keith B wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:So you believe its a useless law?

I feel right to bare arms it is a constitutional right, but the open carry bill as written is not only useless, but a dangerous one. I feel it will lead to us losing places we enjoy concealed carry in today as I am sure there will be additional 30.06 signs posted. How many? Not sure, but any is too many.

Now, as for open carry as a whole, the problem we have in Texas is it has NEVER been legal, except under certain conditions (in home, your own property, target shooting, etc.) So, while it is not practiced heavily in other states where allowed, there would be those who would purposely open carry in Texas to exercise there newly regained right. And, they would end up carrying where it will raise alarm by some. In other states that never restricted it, it is not the 'new toy' available to play with, so you just don't see it regularly. I think this is partially due to many open carry in rural areas or remote country areas, so they aren't exposed to as many eyes.

So, IF it passed for licensed open carry, even with changes that would leave the 30.06 alone and apply that any no-guns sign was valid, then it might be better. We would still see those that go the extra mile to prohibit concealed carry also due to the media exposure and hype and the visual sightings of open carriers, but I believe it would be far less 30.06 additions to restrict concealed carry.

Keith B wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:Where in this bill does it say "licensed open carry"? All I've read is "carry a handgun".

It is totally clarified in section 40 quoted below at http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82 ... 02756I.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HB 2756 wrote: SECTION 40. The change in law made by this Act relating to
the authority of a license holder to openly carry a handgun applies
to the carrying of a handgun on or after the effective date of this
Act by any person who:
(1) holds a license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter
411, Government Code, regardless of whether the person's license
was issued before, on, or after the effective date of this Act; or
(2) applies for the issuance of a license under that
subchapter, regardless of whether the person applied for the
license before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 41. The changes in law made by this Act to Sections
30.05, 30.06, 46.03, 46.035, and 46.15, Penal Code, apply only to an
offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former
law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this
section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this
Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
SECTION 42. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

Keith B wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:Another question from a layman. Is oc a useless law? If every business throws up signs keeping firearms out what's the point? Is this why the NRA and TSRA wouldn't back a oc bill? I don't travel extensively travel outside Texas but why does so many other states have oc if you can't go anywhere? I mean, let's admit it, lots of people carry concealed with no license. Some are law abiding citizens(that think they can't qualify or feel they shouldn't need too), some aren't. If open carry was an option wouldn't more people apply for a carry license if its more visible and not a "concealed" right? The out of sight, out of mind right! Or is this not what we want? If more people apply and any initial shock wears off wouldn't many signs come down? Just asking.

Open carry is NOT as widely practiced in other states as many open carry advocates would like you to believe. I came from an open carry state where I lived for 38 years, and was a LEO part of that time. You may see it when someone is out target practicing, or on their farm property, but VERY rarely in towns of cities. As a matter for fact, many states allow the municipalities to prohibit open carry by local ordinance, so you can't tell where it is legal vs. not unless you research the city code.

I know of two instances where a 'Man with a gun' call was made to the 911 during my time as a LEO as I was the one responding. While both of my instances resulted in the individual being asked to leave the store, and they complied, it was still a call and police responded. Luckily the callers were calm and explained to the dispatcher that they were just walking around with the gun and not threatening anyone, but the store made it clear they wanted the individuals out of there and were afraid to approach the person themselves.

So, bottom line, the calls do happen and you don't see a lot of open carry in other states.

Purplehood wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:

Purplehood wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:I mean, let's admit it, lots of people carry concealed with no license.

You lost me right there, Sir. I certainly hope that that is not the case. It shouldn't be an issue in the first place, but for now, it is a violation of the law.

I humbly submit to you, Sir, people speed, record copy-righted movies that they let others borrow and rip tags off mattresses too. LOL
Do you really think no one carries that don't have a CHL? Yes, they are breaking to law in this case but not all are doing it with bad intent.

Lets stay on track. You said "lots of people", and that is what I would dispute and have seen no evidence to support that. Do I honestly think that folks carry without a license? Yes. But I doubt that "lots" of them do so.

Purplehood wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:I mean, let's admit it, lots of people carry concealed with no license.

You lost me right there, Sir. I certainly hope that that is not the case. It shouldn't be an issue in the first place, but for now, it is a violation of the law.

Keith B wrote:

johnferg69 wrote:Help me out here. Unlike most of you I'm not a member of the BAR so I have a question. I read what I think was the HB2756 bill. It was on the legis.state.tx.us website so it may not be the one everyone commiting on. It looks like they just took the CC law and marked out "concealed" so it would read "carry a handgun". How would this possibly ban conceal carry? If it possibly bans conceal carry because its not expressly written wouldn't it possible ban open carry too because open carry is not expressly written?

The problem is the way the bill is written, it would be for LICENSED open carry. Once the word got out that people are going to be able to carry handguns in plain view, then many locations will be looking for how to keep them from doing it. And, the 30.06 would be valid for both concealed and open carry, so when they post the sign, it will prohibit ANY carry in the location. So, as written the bill is not a good option for CHL'ers.