TexasCHLforum.com

gkgray wrote:This may be unpopular but has anyone everthought that maybe Open Carry Texas is a ruse and they are working hand in hand with Moms Demand Action and Bloomberg?

Has crossed my mind, especially when you see how some of these guys carry their rifles (remember the Chipotle guys) and how they are just daring somebody to say something.

Thoughts?

you know i don't want to sound like some kind of conspiracy theorist, but the thought has crossed my mind as well. I don't think they are anti though, just ignorant. But with the amount of corruption that is our government, not much would shock me. I've also considered the idea that there's a link between law enforcement getting military equipment and the fact that surely Obama knows that if he gets his way and decides to really come after our guns, he knows he'll have a heck of a fight. Might be a little out there, and I'm not saying i believe that's what's going on, just saying nothing would really shock me at this point.

I won't be worried about Target announcement until they post 30.06. Then they'll see how much it cost them to shut up Shannon watts and the like.

sugar land dave wrote: Civilians with firearms are portrayed on television and in the movies with a largely negative connotation that will always be slanting public opinion.

Agreed. But it's not just TV and movies. It's media as a whole. What's one of the reasons we are having to work so hard to protect our 2nd amendment right? Because of mass shootings that have captured every media outlets attention. Featuring what? The same thing these OC activists such as the Chipotle patrons are portraying to the public. To anyone in that restaurant at the time of this display they did not see whatever it was these men were trying to display. They saw strange men with large guns. Of course they were alarmed and as much as I hate it and wouldn't do it myself, I can't blame the restaurant for its decision. If they do decide to post 30.06 I have considered writing a respectful letter asking them to reconsider. Well it get anywhere? Probably not. But they need to see we aren't all in your face activists. Most of us just want the freedom to protect ourselves and our families within their doors.

Why would anyone think a big display like that would calm anyone's fears about guns whether OC or CC? I am a proud gun owner/concealed carrier but that'd scare the mess out of even me!
Like I've said before, I think we should have the right to OC, but in my opinion, let the anti's believe that the people around them aren't carrying. Out of sight out of mind. And just cause you're carrying openly and don't shoot them, don't assume it will change their minds and realize it's the shooter committing the crime not the gun. They'll just think the gun's well trained, not you.

This is an entirely different issue. I doubt people fear that a homosexual person will use their homosexuality against others to cause bodily injury. Even anyone who is adamantly against that.

I think we should be able to open carry because I believe is our right. Would I do it? No. I agree with what others have said before me. I have several friends that aren't antigun but the idea of someone carrying a gun next to them at the store, even church freaks them out. It doesn't have to be someone who hates guns to request a business owner to post a 30.06 sign. It can and most likely will be someone who's just uncomfortable with guns which goes for most women I know who aren't a gun nut like me. They have no experience or training and assume to some degree that the way they would handle a gun is the way we would handle a gun. They have no idea how much training or education on laws and safety we have undergone.
So when too many people start complaining and profits start dropping, the business owner will have to choose between standing up for the 2nd amendment or feeding his family. I'd imagine larger businesses will jump more easily to post in the name of political correctness.
Aside from the risk I feel open carry would put the person open carrying at, this is the greatest area I feel that would affect the majority of carriers whether concealed or open.