The Annoyed Man wrote:
Again, what happens in Alaska and Arizona is irrelevant because they have always had open carry. So there was no legal, legislative, or social inertia to overcome. They never had to reverse existing laws to gain OC.
I disagree. Alaska, Arizona and the many other States that allow OC can reasonably be pointed to as examples of what to expect from public "acceptance" of Open Carry. It's not always about "what you grew up with".
Texas at one time (though a short period) did have OC. That "right" was lost back in the 1870's if memory serves correctly. The PROPER way to think of efforts to see OC become law again is:
We are not seeking to introduce a NEW right, but to RESTORE and old one.
In that respect...it would be helpful to have the support of the NRA and the TSRA, both of whom remain timidly neutral on the subject.
I agree that Campus Carry and a Parking Lot Exception would be victories, but unlike you, I do think those would be huge victories.
Those would certainly be long overdue victories, since this will be the FOURTH attempt on at least one of those issues.
I won't hold my breath, but continue to hold out hope.
Why? Because if we can get those passed in 2011, then in 2013 or 2015, when the public has had time to realize that there was no explosion in violent gun-related bloodbaths, then passing OC becomes much more easy.
I don't follow the logic here. If Campus Carry becomes law....then a small (very small) percentage of the public will be allowed to carry ONE more place than before. How would this significantly increase the chance of having a "bloodbath" committed by a CHL?
If the Parking Lot Bill became Law, it only results in the weapon being in a locked vehicle. Again......no effect.
And neither of these cases has anything to do with OC (IMO), since we are only talking about a "mode of carry". Whether I carry my weapon concealed or openly...doesn't make me anymore a "threat" to the public (of which I am none).
Yes....there will be the occassional "Soccer Mom" type that will grab up her children and run screaming to her car, but it will subside.
Honestly, all this worry about OC and how the public (and businesses) will react is nonsense. Less than 2% of the population even have a CHL, of those....fewer carry (everyday,everywhere),
even fewer would elect to OC.
I submit that if Texas ever has OC....it would remain a relatively rare thing to see (after some initial application). It just doesn't make sense that the public (most whom would never notice)....are going to get the "Willies" over seeing someone OCing.
That's why I can't stand bomb-throwers. They will derail the whole process and we lose everything by their continuing to insist on making enemies in the legislative community, and they ultimately kill the the very goal they claim to support. There is much MUCH lack of wisdom in that approach.
Here we agree. Much harm can be done if things are not done "properly"
and with a level of respect.
Then again, sometimes the "legislature" need a fire lit under their butts to get things done.
