I think there are many states that have more restrictions on carrying than TX.Russell wrote: Anyway, are any other states other than Utah more lenient than Texas? Or do we really call it "The Great State of Texas" for a reason?
You have to look at the big picture. In RI, you can carry into bars or almost anywhere, but permits to carry are very difficult to get. The AG can deny your permit based on nothing more than his "discretion".
So is RI more "permissive" than TX or less? I would say TX is much more permissive. In fact, it's not even close.
Limiting discussion to just the "shall issue" states I think TX stacks up rather well. Sure, you see 30.06 signs here and there. But at least here the signs have to be in a standard form and be prominently posted. In many other states, any kind of sign will do.
Sure, some states allow open carry. Big deal. When you've read one story saying, "I OC'd today at Wal-mart, Taco Bell, and Home Depot. I got a couple of strange looks but no hassles.", you've read them all.
Another thing I've noticed living here the last (almost) 7 years is that an awful lot of Texans seem to like guns. It ain't like that in the Northeast, believe me!
But the big thing here, and what makes TX "great" IMO, is that Texans have a strong belief in individual rights, property rights, and especially the right to self defense. Even before the castle doctrine law, Texans acting in lawful self defense have tended to be treated well by the law, (civil and criminal), the police, and the society at large.
Look at what happened to that reporter that recently did the ambush interview on the guy in Dallas who had to shoot 2 BG's in the span of a few weeks. A couple of days after the interview the public outcry was so great that she ended up being canned.
Show me another state where something like that would happen, and that quickly.
To me, the bottom line is what happens if you have to use the gun. It doesn't do any good to be allowed to carry a gun into some particular place or other if the legal system is going to crucify you if you are forced to use it.
I think that in this respect, TX is by far the best state to live in. It really is "the great state of Texas".
I love it here.