This is exactly why I have said before, and will continue to contend, that it is important for some of us who tend to be more level headed to at least occasionally OC in locations where it will not be viewed as extremism. And, when asked for ID by LE politely comply. If we allow the extremists in the pro 2A camp to be the face of the firearms community, we will lose in the court of public opinion.Charles L. Cotton wrote:Police officers and deputies have been sizing up people for a long time now and open-carry will not be any different. More people talked themselves into tickets than out of them and so too with trips to jail. LEO and public response to open-carry will change over time, but how it will change will depend upon how people carrying guns conduct themselves with LEOs and the public. Be a jerk and you'll be treated like a jerk by citizens with cell phones and responding LEOs. If, and that's a very big IF, over time people open-carrying conduct themselves responsibly and respectfully, then it will become a non-issue just as concealed-carry has been a non-issue for almost 20 years.
The biggest danger to successful implementation of open-carry is the predictable response by people who love to be on video preaching to a LEO or citizen about the meaning of the Constitution. People who scream at LEOs on video like Grisham and Watkins will make the evening news and anti-gunners will loudly proclaim "I told you so!" So will Chief Acevedo, MDA, Sen. Ellis and others. The general public will be swayed to some greater or lesser extent depending upon the frequency and severity of the incidents. The more that they are on TV or Facebook, the greater the level of LEO interaction in response to MWAG calls. This will fuel the egos and provide photo ops and a bully pulpit for those who care far more about being in the spotlight than in changing Texas gun laws to the benefit of Texans.
Handcuffs? Hour-long detentions? Running the serial number on your handgun? Really? Going into a new era where open-carry is legal with that attitude will go a long way toward making dire predictions come true. People spoiling for a fight can usually fine one. Most COPs are mirrors; be respectful to them and they will respond in kind.
Chas.
Once OC becomes law the vision the public needs to have of OCers is the well dressed individual sitting in the cafe or shopping at the grocery store not forcing his/her values on others and not flaunting themselves and what they are doing. Like it or not, the perception of OCers will be a reflection on all who chose to carry.
I refuse to let the likes of Watkins, Grisham, and the youtube addicts who park at an urban gas station so they can take a walk down a busy street until the police show up so they can tell the cops how much they know about the constitution represent me.