TexasCHLforum.com

Tactics

My frustration is showing a bit. Open carry has political and 2A issues. Many folks insist on bring up the issue of "tactics" but unless Open Carry becomes legal it's sort of like discussing the best way to carry into a Texas courtroom.


Mensa
I am a member because I read about it, in Readers Digest, when I was 13. At the time, I was too young to take their tests, so I decided to wait a year. 30 years passed and I finally found the time to take the test. (You must score in the top 2% of an IQ test to become a member.) When you pass, it means you're really good at taking tests.
I am a Consultant. I think my Mensa membership may move my Resume to the pile that gets interviewed. It might even help me with the rate.

Sometimes it seems that the general population views gun owners as "ignorant, inbreed, imbeciles". I mention my membership in Mensa just to confuse them. Maybe, I can convince them that their views are wrong.

On the other hand, I am not impressed with my Mensa membership. By definition, one in fifty folks are qualified for membership. I don't hang with Mensans too often, UNLESS, I meet them at the gun range

EricS76 wrote:

tomneal wrote:EricS76
Tom
You're correct, it is none of my business. That's why I said those are reasons I oppose open carry, not reasons why I oppose open carry for YOU. I like having the advantage of not "showing my hand" to potential bad guys.

I guess my English is not so good.
When I read your original comments, I got the impression that you oppose open carry for anyone. Now, if I am reading your new comments correctly, it appears that you oppose open carry for everyone but me.


What I am really concerned about is Pro-Gun folks falling for some "Goldilocks" view of firearms rights. Like: NO ONE should be allowed to Open Carry because it's "bad tactics". I have to call bogus on the implication that there is Never Any situation where "Open Carry" would be "Good Tactics". As a mater of fact, I have to call bogus on the whole notion that tactics should enter into any discussion of the law. Heck, our political leaders can't even get "common sense" into the law.

Again, I have to state that Charles has a point. Open carry could lead to more 30.06 signs and it could invigorate the Anti-firearm rights folks.

However, "Tactics" is a discussion for when every option of carry is available. Then you can discuss which ones are best for which situations.


See you at the range
NRA Life, TSRA Life, USPSA Life, Mensa Annual
Tom Neal

EricS76

I oppose open carry for a few reasons. 1. You lose the advantage of everybody else, good and bad, not knowing you have a weapon. 2. There is the possibility of making yourself a target (shoot the guy with the gun first kind of BG thinking).

No offense, but on items 1 & 2
It's none of your business.

I am an informed adult and am in better position to decide when and where I will open carry. I could come up with dozens of scenarios where I (and many others on this board) would open carry (if it was legal).

The arguments you have used against open carry could be used against carrying in a fanny pack, wearing a "Shoot me first" / "Photo-Journalist" vest, or wearing an untucked and/or unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt.


Stirring up the anti's and possibly getting more 30.06 signs posted is a legitimate concern for everyone that is Pro-CHL. This is a case where folks walking around in open carry could damage your rights.

check out:

http://www.opencarry.org/

Charles has just presented the best argument against Open Carry that I have ever heard and the only one that I consider valid.

I have a Texas CHL because I wanted to carry a handgun while traveling. Yes, I know Texas law says you can carry while traveling BUT...
I wanted very clear laws to be on my side so, I got my CHL.

Over time, I have found having a handgun with me, all the time, is comforting.


I often carry a handgun openly. At IPSC matches, on my on property, and when I am deer hunting with a handgun. (For 5 years, the lease had a county road dividing it in half. If I crossed the road...)


When I carry openly, the laws aren't as clearly on my side. A LEO could hassle me because I have a CHL and my handgun isn't concealed. I don't think it would stand up in court BUT, the charges would cost me money.


I would prefer that the Texas Legislature allow me to decide wheither to carry openly or concealed.


While I wouldn't carry openly in a crowded store, I might carry openly
- at the ATM
- in an nearly empty store
- at the highway rest stop
- while driving
- other places where risks were higher and crowds were smaller.


I am informed enough to make that decision on my on.


My ultimate goal is "Alaska Carry".
Pack-em-if-you-got-em.
Get a license if you want to pack out-of-state, or avoid the instant check system.


Open carry for CHL holders is just a step along the way.

I too am pro-choice.

Most of the time, I wouldn't consider open carry but, there have been occasions where I carried openly and thought it was the best plan.

I wish the legislature would let me decide.

Over the years, I have had several conversations with a very pro-CHL lawyer. The reason he gave for keeping the Texas CHL as a Concealed Carry License, was that Open carry would motivate the anti-guners.