TexasCHLforum.com

RottenApple wrote:

smtimelevi wrote:There are already many instances where open carry in Texas is legal.

Ok. I'll bite. Other than 1) on your own property or property you control, 2) as a CSO or PPO in the performance of or on your way to/from duty, and 3) long guns (and I assume we are talking about handguns here), where can you open carry in Texas?

Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:

(1) is in the actual discharge of official duties as a member of the armed forces or state military forces as defined by Section 431.001, Government Code, or as a guard employed by a penal institution;

(2) is traveling;

(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity;

(4) holds a security officer commission issued by the Texas Private Security Board, if the person is engaged in the performance of the person's duties as an officer commissioned under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, or is traveling to or from the person's place of assignment and is wearing the officer's uniform and carrying the officer's weapon in plain view;

(5) acts as a personal protection officer and carries the person's security officer commission and personal protection officer authorization, if the person:

(A) is engaged in the performance of the person's duties as a personal protection officer under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, or is traveling to or from the person's place of assignment; and

(B) is either:

(i) wearing the uniform of a security officer, including any uniform or apparel described by Section 1702.323(d), Occupations Code, and carrying the officer's weapon in plain view; or

(ii) not wearing the uniform of a security officer and carrying the officer's weapon in a concealed manner;

(6) is carrying a concealed handgun and a valid license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to carry a concealed handgun of the same category as the handgun the person is carrying;

(7) holds an alcoholic beverage permit or license or is an employee of a holder of an alcoholic beverage permit or license if the person is supervising the operation of the permitted or licensed premises

I used to live in AZ and saw folks open carrying in Phoenix city limits. Not on a daily basis or anything but often enough. The most frequent were motorcycle riders. This needs to pass, and in my opinion it should be permit less to give folks that dont want to shell out the dollars for a CHL self defense options. There are already many instances where open carry in Texas is legal. The way this bill needs to be pushed is to simply state that some of the restricted locations for open carry are being removed to give people legitimate ways to defend themselves. Baby steps I know.
Open carry shouldnt affect concealed carry in anyway.

All of the hooping and hollering from people saying that " police wouldnt be able to distinguish criminals from legal carriers." That is such one sided thinking, for several reasons.
1. how is that different than if a person is committing a crime? If open carry becomes legal the mere presence of a firearm doesnt mean that that person carrying is doing something wrong, people that think this are obviously bias. These people that are against it are using Police safety as a reason not to pass this.
2. For people to assume that police are going to confront everyone that is carrying to check their credibility or because some concerned citizen called in is not going to fly any more than police stopping every nice car to check if the driver is a drug dealer.