I now regret that OC passed

[Right2Carry]

I don't have a dog in this fight. I will never OC. I think it's stupid to tip my hand to criminals. But I am old enough to sit back, read and think about things before responding. And here's what I see. Some people are reporting locations that have never had signs before now posting both 30.07 and 30.06. So now they can't carry where they used to be able to. The response of the OC crowd? Oh, they're probably false reports. Or oh, you're exaggerating. Or oh, chill out. It's no big deal. The exact same response we got before OC passed when people expressed concerns about heightened scrutiny of signs. IOW, it's the expression of a belief or position, not an expression of evidence.

It won't affect me much. I'm retired. I seldom go out, and when I do, I'm always carrying concealed. If some place has put up 30.06 signs now, I'll adjust and go somewhere else. What irks me is that people can protest loudly about how they support the 2nd Amendment, but when the rubber meets the road they never give a second's thought to how their actions impact the other ONE MILLION people who also carry. They're all about me, me, me. This business has no right to question me for carrying a gun, they say in a huff. Well, sorry, but you're ignorant. There's no other way to put it. You don't have a clue what you're talking about.

Just today I saw someone arguing that there's a difference between private clubs and public businesses, and public businesses have no right to question them about their LTC. No. You're ignorant. You don't understand the law.

At least for now, OC has made things much worse for gun owners, and they can thank the so-called activists, who chose public confrontation over the tried and true method of working within the legislature. Whether that will improve in the future remains to be seen. But the only victory activists can claim here is a hollow one. Now you can strut around with your gun on your hip in a rapidly decreasing number of places, and you took down the entire one million licensees with you. Congratulations on your "victory".

It's all a matter of perspective because it didn't make it worse for me at all. Again I have yet to see a business I frequent put up any new signs and most of them now allow open carry. I live in DFW Area and my life has not gotten worse for me at all with OC. Plenty of large chains are supporting the law in Texas as they all should be doing.

[rytchard]

As it has only been a few days, I have only noticed a few changes where I am at.

I have "not" opened" carried. Not saying that I never would, but I have always thought that what ever advantage I can have is good, and concealed carry works great for my mind set.

Notwithstanding, I live in Benbrook (SW Fort Worth) and work in Hudson Oaks (Parker County).

I "was" disappointed to see that the Movie Tavern on Hulen in Fort Worth and Rave Motion Pictures theater at the Ridgemar Mall had posted both 30.06 and 30.07. I used to frequent those. But there are plenty of movie theaters in the area. I will adapt.

At least to date, both areas, home and work have not posted "any" new signs.

I have seen a lot of posts about being asked for a CHL or LTC. Personally, I have no problem showing someone my license as I want to maintain that I am still a neighbor, and member of the two communities that I am active in. Sometimes what is law and what is "the right thing to do" differs in my opinion.

If I see a sign at a business that doesn't meet the requirements I will continue to carry concealed. But, if I see a genuine effort at a business to comply, I will avoid.

My point is this: We have rights, and are licensed to do things that 95% of the state's population are not. Some of the things that are covered in CHL classes were; de-escalation, and avoid confrontation. I understand the merit of those.

I am done rambling for now. As always, it is just me saying.

[Lynyrd]

What irks me is that people can protest loudly about how they support the 2nd Amendment, but when the rubber meets the road they never give a second's thought to how their actions impact the other ONE MILLION people who also carry. They're all about me, me, me. This business has no right to question me for carrying a gun, they say in a huff. Well, sorry, but you're ignorant. There's no other way to put it. You don't have a clue what you're talking about.

The ignorant have always been our enemies. I carried before CC became law in 95 under a defense able reason (not sure if that's the correct words) . We lost a lot of privileges then IMHO. We can lose more hard won victories if people don't think before they act. In every group there will be those who are selfish and do not think about ramifications. This is too important to fumble.

I appreciate your voice of reason and experience.

[Unocat]

A friend and I OC tonight in Austin and had really good interactions and responses.
First - BBQ place. Got a lot of smiles.

Second - cafe/pub (not 51%) - the owner was there and told us he had just given his entire staff training this afternoon and we had a great conversation. He said he knows there will be people who complain about guns present but he wants his place to remain completely apolitical and just conform to the law and allow people to exercise their rights. He said he won't post any signs. Probably the best I have heard coming from a property/business owner.

Third - Gas station to buy powerball. Clerk was all smiles, asked about what kind of gun it was (Ruger vaquero 357) asked how he could do it and we had a little educational talk about the process. Had a lot of looks from other customers but no one was in the least bit scared or put-off.

No regrets. Interactions like this will keep me open carrying and talking to others. I didn't intend to OC that much but it was such a positive experience.

[chuck j]

The deal is done , no turning back . Wouldn't make any difference if OC was repealed , the spotlight has been put on us and the public/business's will react . Wait and see what happens but in the meantime uphold the near perfect reputation we have earned . Open Carry Texas tactics to desensitize the public are stupid , everyone here saw how trying to cram carrying a gun down peoples throat worked out . Be a shining example to others that doubt . Much like being a Christian............by example and not threats and cheap talk .

I still have hope that OC will be accepted by the majority of Texans but I knew there would be a rough road to get there . Give it time , anything worth having takes time and effort .

[Les Miles]

I'm still glad OC passed. I've been carrying openly, concealed, almost concealed, partially open, mostly open, mostly concealed and every other way you can think of and it has been amazing. No worries about someone seeing the bottom of my holster. No more IWB. I just throw my Serpa on and carry a jacket in case I need to cover up. Stop complaining. These people posting signs up now never supported our right to keep and bear arms anyway.

[thatguyoverthere]

{snip}After 125 years of being told that OC is bad unless you work for the government (who never thought it was a bad idea for themselves) there is some growing pains. {snip}

This. ^^^^^^

When I ask myself why I sometimes open carry, my answer is: "because I CAN." Others may see that as foolish or unwise. But to me, that is a very important reason, if not the MOST important reason.

Whether you or I or anyone else actually wanted OC to pass or not, and whether we now regret it or not, it's here. It's a done deal now. So now, does it really achieve anything worthwhile for some to say "I told you so" and/or to bellyache about what's happening now?

Or would it do more good for our community for us to work together to start coming up with solutions for the new problems that we face today? Just like we worked together to resolve our problems in the past, and just like we will work together to resolve whatever new problems come up next year, or the year after, or the year after that?

[parabelum]

{snip}After 125 years of being told that OC is bad unless you work for the government (who never thought it was a bad idea for themselves) there is some growing pains. {snip}

This. ^^^^^^

When I ask myself why I sometimes open carry, my answer is: "because I CAN." Others may see that as foolish or unwise. But to me, that is a very important reason, if not the MOST important reason.

Whether you or I or anyone else actually wanted OC to pass or not, and whether we now regret it or not, it's here. It's a done deal now. So now, does it really achieve anything worthwhile for some to say "I told you so" and/or to bellyache about what's happening now?

Or would it do more good for our community for us to work together to start coming up with solutions for the new problems that we face today? Just like we worked together to resolve our problems in the past, and just like we will work together to resolve whatever new problems come up next year, or the year after, or the year after that?

[Scott Farkus]

Open Carry was an elephant that we had to get out of the room. I'm glad it's out, even if it knocks over a few lamps on the way. Next session we can focus on getting the off-limit places removed.

fwiw, I've only seen a handful of places that weren't 30.06 before post 30.06 along with 30.07. Nearly all the notices I'm getting for Austin are 30.07 only. I'd rather not see those, but you have to think that if a business went to the trouble of posting 30.07 and NOT 30.06, at least it can be assumed to be supportive of concealed carry. That's a good sign, I think.

I wonder if we would have had such a ruckus had the law taken effect immediately upon signature, or September 1. Seems like these extra few months gave the anti's (and the OCT types) too much time to get their ducks in a row.

Ah well, we'll see what happens. I think most of this will blow over in a few months.

[Unocat]

This. ^
When I ask myself why I sometimes open carry, my answer is: "because I CAN." Others may see that as foolish or unwise. But to me, that is a very important reason, if not the MOST important reason.

Whether you or I or anyone else actually wanted OC to pass or not, and whether we now regret it or not, it's here. It's a done deal now. So now, does it really achieve anything worthwhile for some to say "I told you so" and/or to bellyache about what's happening now?

Or would it do more good for our community for us to work together to start coming up with solutions for the new problems that we face today? Just like we worked together to resolve our problems in the past, and just like we will work together to resolve whatever new problems come up next year, or the year after, or the year after that?

Agree whole heartedly!
I did a tour in Afghanistan for our rights, freedoms, and to fight back against those that would take them away. I am very surprised at this forum in general, I am new, but I thought I was joining a place where people were interested in advancing our rights as enumerated in our countries founding. However I see a lot of CC only people griefing people who are interested in OC. It is always an interesting human dynamic, that not matter how much alike a group is they always find a way to divide over some issue. It saddens me.

[Charles L. Cotton]

As chuck j said, it's a done deal now and there's no going back. All we can do at this point is damage control, but there is a very small but very loud faction that has no interest in peace.

Chas.

[gljjt]

All of this was predictable.

It was more than predictable. It was predicted. And it came to pass.

I don't have regrets about passage, but I DO have major regrets about people who carry and don't care what damage they do to the reputations of all of us. THAT is a huge regret.

Pride goeth before the fall.

^^^^^ This

[TexasTornado]

I don't regret OC at all. As many others have stated, the majority of what I'm seeing go up is only 30.07 or adding 30.07 to a company that previously had 30.06 posted. I do however find the negativity of this thread interesting. It's not like Texas is breaking new ground here. It may be new to us, but this wagon has covered hundreds of thousands of square miles in 44 other states. So sit back relax and try to enjoy the ride while we catch up to the real pioneers of this thing.

[gljjt]

Other states don't have a problem and I have yet to see a new sign anywhere yet. I am starting to think there are a lot of false reports being generated by those with an agenda. Just my opinion. I still think it's much ado over nothing since it's only 5 days into it.

Other states don't have OCT, OCTC...

[mojo84]

Baldeagle, I think it is coming to light just how narcissistic and selfish our society has become. Its not just millennials. It's also so called adults that just care about themselves and have no regard for others and their rights.

Sad times for our country indeed.