Poll: Do you support open-carry in Texas?

[PappaGun]

I think it's a bit hypocritical to be a supporter of concealed-carry and against open-carry.

I don't see it that way, if you accept hypocrisy as saying one thing and doing another.
If OC was legal, I would not do it as I don't believe it's a good idea. That's where I draw MY line.
I only speak for myself. The law draws lines for everything we do. That's what law is.
The point at which carrying a weapon (CC or OC) is legal is, IMHO, debatable and negotiable and up for discussion.
This is a great country where your right to bear arms can not be infringed upon. With all rights come limitations. OC is a limitation I can live with.

[bkjunk]

I voted no, only because I am worried that there would be allot more 30.06 signs popping up. Of course I am not sure if 30.06 would apply to open carry, but wouldn't there be an equivalent? While they are putting that one up, might as well put up the 30.06 one as well.

[jimlongley]

I voted the 3rd option, Licensed or unlicensed open carry.
".......................keep and BEAR arms, shall not be infringed."
I bought and read "The Founders' Second Amendment". The government is INFRINGING way too much on a 'God given' right.
We aren't talking about a 'government given' privilege.
Yes, I probably should have chosen the unlicensed option for my vote.
I would not open carry. I don't beleive I should have to have a license to carry concealed.
Legislation will not prevent bad behavior! I think bad behavior should be swiftly and surely punished.
We should not have people on the streets with a criminal record of more than 2 or 3 at most violations.
I'll stop now, OE

[TexasComputerDude]

I wouldn't mind requiring open carriers to have a valid drivers license

but thats prob. unconstitutional.

So support, no license.

[Furyataurus]

So long as I get to "Open carry" I don't mind being "licensed" if it only requires an NICS check. Anything more would be too burdensome IMO.

[.45mac.40]

I support CHL (( I'm of the school .... If you have a LICENSE.. it should be good to conceal, in all locations and establishments ....PERIOD ! ))
I would also support LICENSED OC. (( Even though I'd be concerned about another person, seeing and trying to grab your pistol ! As for others - outta' sight, outta' mind !!))
Lets use all the money collected, for funding the abused, gun related crimes against others !
Mac

[srothstein]

I voted yes, I support both licensed and unlicensed carry. I did not tie it to any other areas that might be tactically better to fix first because the question was if I support it, not if I think it should be the next item worked on. There are other things we need to work on first, IMO, but I do support this.

I also did not consider what possible responses would be, such as more 30.06 signs. Again, the questions is if I support this and not the tactics on how to get it. I understand (well, I think I do) that Charles was checking on this for putting it into the future schedule for TSRA to work on but I trust the TSRA to pick the battles they can win when they think they can win them. I do agree with the TSRA administration that our best strategy is the small steps each session and I trust they will remember to put this on the schedule onc ethey know people do want it. I also trust themt o put it on at the right time.

I prefer unlicensed carry because I do believe in the right to keep and bear arms. Yes, there are people I do not want to see carrying but I am sure there are people who would prefer not to see me carrying. The only way I can protect my rights is to protect everyone else's. So, I have to support open carry because I think the founding fathers were serious when they wrote the right SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

[blue]

With the way Texas CHL's are being treated now- EXCESSIVE Delays, Expenses, etc., EVEN after YEARS of Excellent records as a group. I cannot see making other citizens go thru what we have to, so based on what we have now- I vote UNlicensed OC.

blue

[flintknapper]

I voted yes, I support both licensed and unlicensed carry. I did not tie it to any other areas that might be tactically better to fix first because the question was if I support it, not if I think it should be the next item worked on. There are other things we need to work on first, IMO, but I do support this.

I also did not consider what possible responses would be, such as more 30.06 signs. Again, the questions is if I support this and not the tactics on how to get it. I understand (well, I think I do) that Charles was checking on this for putting it into the future schedule for TSRA to work on but I trust the TSRA to pick the battles they can win when they think they can win them. I do agree with the TSRA administration that our best strategy is the small steps each session and I trust they will remember to put this on the schedule onc ethey know people do want it. I also trust themt o put it on at the right time.

I prefer unlicensed carry because I do believe in the right to keep and bear arms. Yes, there are people I do not want to see carrying but I am sure there are people who would prefer not to see me carrying. The only way I can protect my rights is to protect everyone else's. So, I have to support open carry because I think the founding fathers were serious when they wrote the right SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

Well said!

[Locksmith]

I am for legal open carry both licensed or not, primarily because: I believe you should not need anyone's permission to carry a weapon to protect yourself, in the way you see fit, according to your current surroundings or threat levels. If the only way is licensed then I would be satisfied with that to start with. My other problem with a license is: Government is ever changing, always new people coming in with different view points, once there is a license, people can and will impose more and more rules that must be followed or met to continue to "Legally Protect Yourself". Think about that statement for a second... How would you feel if one day you were told for whatever reason they dreamed up that year, that it is now illegal to protect yourself? Some people will say "that will never happen". But what if an election comes and goes and we are left with a majority of pro gun control elected officials? What if many voters who voted for them didn't know they were against guns? Or worse yet didn't care! Sound familiar? I think the best thing we can "shoot for" :) in the coming years, is a Texas Constitutional Amendment that guarantees law abiding Texans the right to carry a "Weapon" openly or concealed without a license, unless you are a felon, or diagnosed by his/her own doctor to be incapable of safely owning a weapon, until he/she can demonstrate otherwise.

Having said that, I would in most cases still carry concealed for the element of surprise, but I would feel much better knowing that if I wanted to open carry, I could and would not be breaking the law.

[AEA]

Timely poll and I like the options that you put.

I'm for open carry however I'm conflicted on whether it should be licensed or unlicensed. Ultimately I voted for licensed.

Me too.

[Morgan]

Based upon my discussions with gun owners overall, it is my opinion that support for any form of open-carry represents less than 50%. I'd like to see how this compares to our "family."

Chas.

interesting so far. The practical side of me thinks licenses are fine. The philosophical side of me thinks that it's in the constitution... So I voted either, because either is an expansion of our current rights.

[stevie_d_64]

I don't believe licensing is the answer, purely from my idealistic perspective that any right which requires licensing by the state is no longer a right. At the same time, I do acknowledge the existing reality of the system as much as I might dislike it.

That said, I would absolutely support someone's right to open-carry should they so choose; as for me, I likely wouldn't open-carry because I prefer going about my day not standing out in a crowd - I like being the invisible man both by virtue of training as well as inclination.

Bingo!

I've always said I would like the option, the choice (I know that sounds very liberal, "hinkey", from a certain point of view), and there is a time and place for everything as far as I am concerned...

I agree with Andy that I would not make it an everyday thing either...

[Liberty]

I voted for licensed and unlicensed carry. We should be allowed to carry anyway we wish as long as it is properly holstered, without licensing. I can only think of one circumstance where I would open carry. That is while I'm an aprtment dweller and moving my car gun back and forth to my apartment.

All this being said , there are 2 bills out their now that could save lives, the Parking lot bill and the campus bill. Sometimes ya gotta have your prioritys.