Agreed, a direct, one-for-one, comparison would be disingenuous. That was not my intent.cyphertext wrote:You really can't compare TX to NM, AZ, or even OK... AZ and NM have had open carry for a long time, OK is much more recent, but none of these states had a movement like OCT running around with long guns stirring folks up. And even in NM when I lived there 15 years ago, OC in the urban areas was not the social norm and you would be asked to leave businesses if you were carrying openly.
Rather, I was attempting to convey my faith in the majority of my fellow Texans to adjust to open carry at least as well has have the Okies.
NM gun laws have changed significantly since 2000. For instance,
"As of July 1, 2010, 30-7-3 NMSA a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun in New Mexico is allowed to legally carry into a licensed liquor establishment that DOES NOT sell alcohol for consumption on the premise. Further a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun in New Mexico is allowed to carry into a restaurant licensed to sell only beer and wine that derives no less than sixty percent of its annual gross receipts from the sale of food for consumption on the premises, unless the restaurant has a sign posted, in a conspicuous location at each public entrance, prohibiting the carrying of firearms, or the person is verbally instructed by the owner or manager that the carrying of a firearm is not permitted in the restaurant" (Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_New_Mexico" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, 2015).
In 2013 and 2014, I visited northeastern NM. I shopped in stores, bought gas, ate (in restaurants and fast food) while carrying openly without incident. I'll do it again next week, but to the south. My route will be from Lubbock through Alamogordo and Las Cruces, NM, to Tucson, AZ. Obviously, this is anecdotal and not statistically significant. I am not trying to make a point or modify anyone's behaviour. I am simply relating my experience and hope. YMMV