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I know there has been quite the stir in CA regarding unloaded open carry but that got me thinking. What is the law in TX regarding UOC? Is there any difference from loaded OC? Just wondering.

Thanks

No difference to my knowledge -- both are illegal

I thought that might be the case. too bad

Never did understand the point of carrying an unloaded gun any how....

Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the concept of unloaded open carry? Personally, I support open carry, but I think it's a tactically poor decision when compared with concealed carry. As for the legality, I believe it's illegal no matter what.

timdsmith72 wrote:
Never did understand the point of carrying an unloaded gun any how....

A pocketful of rocks would serve about the same purpose as an unloaded gun and that's okay...isn't it?

The reason I ask is because if we were able to UOC then by doing so we could bring attention (in a positive way) to the issue. Even if I did, I would strap the small less threatening snubnose on my hip and keep the loaded semiauto under my shirt.

jecsd1 wrote:The reason I ask is because if we were able to UOC then by doing so we could bring attention (in a positive way) to the issue.

How so?

In no way am I about the shock tactics of massive OC demonstrations but I think if people were able to see a person practicing OC at the H.E.B. getting groceries or walking with their family in the park they would begin to see that said people were just "average Joe" and the false stigma attached to guns could begin to be erroded. I think, at least partially, that the opposition to OC is one that stems from an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude. People don't realize that 3 of every 100 Texans may be carrying a handgun because they are concealed so the connection is not made.

Am I alone on this or does this honestly make any sense?

timdsmith72 wrote:
Never did understand the point of carrying an unloaded gun any how....

It is much lighter to carry.

(if you haven't read the thread on this you may not get this)

pbwalker wrote:

jecsd1 wrote:The reason I ask is because if we were able to UOC then by doing so we could bring attention (in a positive way) to the issue.

How so?

It de-sensitizes the sheeple. Also, I want to touch on the idea that OC'ing makes yourself a target, In Ohio we have yet to see any places where a crime was committed and an OC'er was present and made a target. OC'ing actually deters crime. I won't disagree with the fact that carrying concealed gives you more of an edge against a BG.

Criminals don't mess with good guys that have guns, they want things to be as easy as possible.

That being said I won't bash anyone for wanting to UOC, but legally I think you may have some altercations. There are 2 ways of carrying as far as I know,Open and Concealed. You won't catch me UOC'ing, Especially since I have been in this state only a few weeks and have a very small understanding of Texas law.

Texas makes no legal distinction between loaded and unloaded firearms.

Its almost as if the legislature understands what they are for.

.30calSolution wrote:Also, I want to touch on the idea that OC'ing makes yourself a target, In Ohio we have yet to see any places where a crime was committed and an OC'er was present and made a target.

How common is OC in Ohio?

pbwalker wrote:

.30calSolution wrote:Also, I want to touch on the idea that OC'ing makes yourself a target, In Ohio we have yet to see any places where a crime was committed and an OC'er was present and made a target.

How common is OC in Ohio?

Pretty common!

Many Ohioans felt a right not exercised is a right lost. Just because we had a license to CC didn't mean we should have to cover it up and shut up and be ashamed of it. I OC'd daily, I would mow my lawn, buy a pack of smokes, pump my gas, shop for groceries and just about everything else. I just did everything I would normally do, except I was packing. In the many years I had OC'd it started many conversations, none of which ever turned ugly and many of which educated the public and got quite a few interested and eventually licensed to CC. Many CCers will carry IWB and leave their shirts tucked in behind the butt of their pistol, In Ohio we call that the "buckeye tuck".

BTW, no license is required in the State of Ohio to OC.

Unless the laws changed recently to allow open carry, when I lived there, I never saw ANYONE open carry.
This is from 1984 through about 1995.
So if it has been allowed, I dont know how prevalent it is (or maybe was?)