TexasCHLforum.com

Charles L. Cotton wrote:
Again, this simply won't happen. The only way to get open-carry passed would be to modify the current CHL statute to delete the requirement to conceal; rename the licence, and modify TPC §30.06 to remove references to concealment. Thus, "ghostbuster" signs won't impact people carrying openly since they will be doing so pursuant to their HCL (Handgun Carry License). Thus, businesses will have to use 30.06 signs to bar open-carry and in so doing, they will also bar concealed-carry.

Chas.

Well,you're the lawyer,and I'm not.....so I'll assume you know what you're talking about here. Any time there's a simple solution-politics make it difficult and getting lawyers,legislature,and the public to all agree on a simple solution is the root of that problem. While we don't agree 100% on the OC topic-I understand your position,and respect it.
JL

drw wrote:

Charles L. Cotton wrote:To me the question comes down to this, "are you willing to risk a drastic increase in 30.06 signs that will impact 280,000 CHLs to obtain open-carry that will be exercised by a relative handful of CHLs?" My answer is "no."

Why must open carry impact CHL holders? If the businesses want to stop open carry, then it seems to me the solution is simple: create a new 30.XX sign that they can post, that only applies to open carry. Then concealed carry is left alone. They wouldn't think to bar concealed carry if there was a simple and convenient "no open carrying" sign they could post.

Just like I mentioned a few posts back. Leave the "Ghostbuster" signs alone as as a legal "stop sign" to people that choose to Open Carry. It's not like they can hide the fact that there's a gun on their hip.
JL

I think the biggest mentality here is that of some CHL holders feeling like they're part of some "elite" group of people,and that allowing OC by everybody would somehow invalidate the value of their CHL. Maybe it's a feeling of loss of the $200+ for the class and licensing when everybody else wouldn't have to pay.
IMO, CHL holders would be minimally affected by an OC law if the Texas legislature were to allow the simplistic "ghostbuster" or other "no guns allowed" signs to be the stopping point for OC like a 30.06 is the stopping point for a CHL holder. It'd be really simple to enforce that since people would be OPENLY carrying their firearms.
JL

anygunanywhere wrote:If open carry was an issue at all in the 44 states where it is legal then it would be made illegal faster than a democrat changing his position based on a poll in an election year.


Anygunanywhere

Well put and the hard,cold truth.
JL

BigBlueDodge wrote: What does Open Carry give me that Concealed Carry does not that REALISTICALLY makes me safer in a confrontation?

Second, for all of the people that say "I may/may not Open Carry, but I should at least have the choice". Let me ask you this. Do you think that Open Carry will increase the number of businesses that prohibit gun carry, or do you assume that it will stay the same as it is now?

To answer the first question.
It is a fact that it is MUCH easier and safer to draw from an openly carried holster than it is to draw from concealment. I'm not talking about one person that can draw their particular gun from concealment faster than I could from an openly carried holster-I'm talking about the same person...draw with the gun concealed,and then draw from an openly carried holster. The openly carried gun will be produced to a defensive ready much faster than from proper concealment.

The second question..
It is very possible that the number of businesses that prohibit firearms may rise,but that's where you teach them via their bottom line. No gun carry by law abiding citizens, no money. It's just that simple. Business follows the money-period. The biggest problem I see with that tactic.....nobody in this country sticks together on anything anymore.
JL

I'll start out by saying I'm all for OC. IMO-it should be up to the individual to choose whether they want to OC or CC. Whether I do it or not is irrelevant, whether YOU choose to do it or not is irrelevant. How many times have you been in public and seen a person in plain clothes with a properly holstered gun on their side? I do all the time,and up until recently-I assumed that the person was some type of LEO. Has it ever incited a riot, panic, or heightened sense of paranoia around myself or other in the vicinity? Nope. Never has, never will. The fact that the gun is properly holstered in a secure and safe manner goes a long way in the comfort level of the public,and in acceptance of any type of OC. People for the most part are ignorant, and assume that anybody with a properly holstered gun is some type of LEO, and there won't be the panic and hysteria that the liberals are trying to convince everybody of.
Would I OC? It would depend on the situation. Most of the time,no. But the convenience would be nice.
JL