Open-Carry Poll

[Doug.38PR]

Texas population: Approx. 22,000,000
Number over 21: Approx. 14,000,000
Number of CHL's: 258,165

Ratio of eligible population to CHL's: 54 to 1.
Ratio of total population to CHL's: 85 to 1.

We're grossly outnumbered and a minuscule number of us, relatively speaking, open-carrying aren't going to force a huge majority to accept anything. What we'll do is wake a sleeping giant.

Remember folks, this is a hypothetical question asking you to presume open-carry would result in widespread posting of 30.06 signs. The goal is to see how many people would be willing to sacrifice our ability to carry in vast numbers of businesses that currently don't post 30.06 signs.

Chas.

When it comes right down to assuming such a thing would happen if we did have open carry, it is a tough personal choice. But in principle, I would have to say yes I would vote for it.

It is still a step in the right direction.


Lets take your figures, it does seem that we CHLers make up a small minority in Texas, but compare that to other open carry states. Are the similar? Do people in open carry states react by putting up signs all over saying "no guns"?

If carrying a handgun openly or concealed were recognized as a right of all without getting state permission (a license), do you think those figures would be so small? Do you think people would not get used to the idea of a man wearing a gun concealed or open in time?

[Tote 9]

Remember folks, this is a hypothetical question asking you to presume open-carry would result in widespread posting of 30.06 signs. The goal is to see how many people would be willing to sacrifice our ability to carry in vast numbers of businesses that currently don't post 30.06 signs.

Chas.

In answer to your question above I say No! I would not want to be limited
anymore than I allready am in places I cannot carry. because more 30-06
signs were posted. It wouldn't be worth it.

[TX Rancher]

Remember folks, this is a hypothetical question asking you to presume open-carry would result in widespread posting of 30.06 signs. The goal is to see how many people would be willing to sacrifice our ability to carry in vast numbers of businesses that currently don't post 30.06 signs.

Chas.

Under those conditions, no I wouldn't want it. But as others have stated, I don't think the backlash would be that strong. I actually doubt there would be much of a backlash at all. But hey, wouldn't be the first time I had no idea what I was talking about

[Liberty]

I agree with KW5KW, I'd much rather see the printing/accidental exposer
laws gone than have open carry.

To answer Charles question "yes" I think the cost would be to high if indeed that was the out come.

I don't believe there are any printing/accidental exposer laws on the books. There are laws about intentionally displaying your hand gun.

[shootthesheet]

My concern is that we are holding ourselves back. Why would we not work to push for the total restoration of our Second Amendment rights to include open carry for all lawful citizens? Are we so convinced that this or that may happen that we are holding back insuring the preservation of our rights for future generations? Will our progeny be able to enjoy even the few rights and privileges we enjoy now because we do not put unfounded concerns away?

It has been my experience that people in Texas give a new idea a chance to succeed or fail. They see LEOs in and out of uniform carrying holstered handguns almost daily. They are exposed to guns and know many Texans have both handguns and long guns. Most would not "freak out" at the sight of a non-LEO carrying a holstered handgun. They won't see it that often if at all because most will choose not to carry that way. Also, they will not react because they will assume the person is a LEO. Those that do can be educated and we are the people to do that. Just like CHL it would be those who practice OC to educate and alleviate the concerns. I don't think OC should be at all linked or limited to those with CHL licenses. Any people who can legally own can legally carry. I don't know why such concern has risen and been accepted among us and our supporters about people seeing the free exercise of civil rights. It is no more wrong than speaking our minds or going to the church of our preference. Open carry is our right under the U.S. Constitution and should be under the Texas Constitution without restriction from the State. This is about an option for those who may choose to exercise their rights. This is not about opinion or keeping the carrying of firearms the privilege of a few who are licensed by the State to do so. We are not elitists as CHL holders or LEOs or whoever that deserve this right more than the poor single mother trying to protect her family away from their home or car. We are not more worthy than the elderly couple out shopping because we took a course from the State.

After Texans get civil and criminal protections for a justified use of force we should push for OC. It happening in 2007 is unlikely. However, it can happen in 2009 if we take advantage of the friendly climate in Austin. This is a situation that is not guaranteed to last long.

[Glockamolie]

I don't want to open a can of worms, but I'm not for open carry at all. Here's just one reason: Did anyone see the recent "Hot Pursuit" on CourtTV, where a guy in Ohio got a felony stop performed on him, because someone saw a pistol on his hip? They go on to say he was carrying legally. Do you think any of those would end in arrest anyway? I do. How about someone knowing you're carrying, and inventing a story to get you in trouble? I think it should remain concealed, and I like the law as-is, with a few exceptions.

[flintknapper]

I don't want to open a can of worms, but I'm not for open carry at all. Here's just one reason: Did anyone see the recent "Hot Pursuit" on CourtTV, where a guy in Ohio got a felony stop performed on him, because someone saw a pistol on his hip? They go on to say he was carrying legally. Do you think any of those would end in arrest anyway? I do. How about someone knowing you're carrying, and inventing a story to get you in trouble? I think it should remain concealed, and I like the law as-is, with a few exceptions.

Brandon,

If we have open carry "added", then it remains your option to carry concealed. Many of us would continue to carry in that mode, but I can think of times when open carry would be convenient. Additionally, there are 20+ states that already have open carry and we just don't see major problems being reported.

As to what is "possible", well........anything! Heck, its not neccessary to even have your weapon on you to be stopped. All it takes is an "over concerned" citizen to make a complaint (based on fact or not), I would hope the Police would be quick to correct the compaintant in these circumstances.

If anything, when it became commonplace to see law abiding citizens with firearms, then John Q. Public would quickly forget about it.

Frankly, I'm more than just a little tired of having the perception of guns= Bad, Scary, Evil, Could go off any second, etc... but I grew up in a time when no one thought anything of couple of teen aged boys walking right through downtown with their .22's on their way to the river to plink.

I say, lets show America that there are more respectful, law abiding, trustworthy, people out there that own (and carry) firearms than BG's.

What should anyone have to fear about that?

[Tote 9]

Flintknapper, where could I get the info. on states that have open carry? I didn't know there was so many.

[nuparadigm]

I moved here (we used to call Texas "Back East") from an open carry State (Arizona) in 1991. There may be some now, but I cannot recall any "no weapons/guns" signs either in Yuma County or in Maricopa County. Numerous people carried openly; it was generally the criminal element that carried concealed. As far as citizen backlash goes, I never observed any.

[flintknapper]

Flintknapper, where could I get the info. on states that have open carry? I didn't know there was so many.

Here is a map and a site with additional information:

http://opencarry.org/

[Tote 9]

Thanks Flint, just what I was looking for.

[flintknapper]

Open Carry Forum for those interested: http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/

[Trope]

This is a very loaded question (no pun intended). I don't really agree with the premise, that open carry will lead to a bunch of 30.06 signs. I'm not sure how you'd know that.

I understand that open carry is a complex issue, and this was probably an attempt to focus on one aspect of it. I just want to keep in mind that there's a lot more to it than just this premise.

[Charles L. Cotton]

This is a very loaded question (no pun intended). I don't really agree with the premise, that open carry will lead to a bunch of 30.06 signs. I'm not sure how you'd know that.

I understand that open carry is a complex issue, and this was probably an attempt to focus on one aspect of it. I just want to keep in mind that there's a lot more to it than just this premise.

I don't think it's a loaded question, because it is a purely hypothetical question that asks you to presume the result of open-carry would be widespread posting of 30.06 signs. I acknowledge many people do not believe this would happen.

My goal, which isn't working, is to get a feel for the number of people here that would support open-carry even if it would result in many businesses becoming off-limits to CHL's. What I trying to learn is how many people would say “it’s worth it� if a year after open-carry were to pass, we saw a huge jump of businesses posting 30.06 signs. There are plenty of arguments on both sides as to what, if anything, would be the backlash against open-carry, but that was not the purpose of this question.

Chas.

[Lonnie Wilson]

This is a very loaded question (no pun intended). I don't really agree with the premise, that open carry will lead to a bunch of 30.06 signs. I'm not sure how you'd know that.

I understand that open carry is a complex issue, and this was probably an attempt to focus on one aspect of it. I just want to keep in mind that there's a lot more to it than just this premise.

Again, this leads to some very interesting situations.

I've spoken to a lot of people across the country while open carrying. When I tell them that open carry is only illegal in 6 states, and I rattle them off, they are absolutely shocked that Texas of all places DOES NOT allow open carry at all, and some of the folk here in Washington State that I've spoken to actually moved here from Texas.

The only reason open carry is illegal in Texas is due to political bargaining.