Has there ever been an open carry demonstration?

[age_ranger]

Realizing that it's legal to open carry an AR-15 loaded up on your back or a rifle/shotgun........has anyone organized a gathering of people to demonstrate that nothing is gonna happen and that it's not much different with a pistol? I'd certainly support it and think it would be great to participate. Just wondering if anyone has heard of people doing this before. I would imagine that informing the local police dept of the groups intentions would probably be a good idea.

[boomerang]

Realizing that it's legal to open carry an AR-15 loaded up on your back or a rifle/shotgun........has anyone organized a gathering of people to demonstrate that nothing is gonna happen and that it's not much different with a pistol?

Except for the misdemeanor that could get your CHL revoked.

[G.A. Heath]

If you are refering to disorderly conduct 42.10 (a) (8) where A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm. Then I think the theoretical protests could win the case in court by showing they were not there displaying a firearm to cause alarm, but were instead displaying the firearm as part of a peaceful protest that Law Enforcement were (hopefully) made aware of in advance. The problem is you would most likely have an encounter with a LEO who would conclude that you are in violation and wants to let the judge sort it out. as the saying goes: You can beat the rap, but you can't beat the ride.

[Charles L. Cotton]

The only open-carry demonstration I know of in Texas was done by the New Black Panthers during the Republican National Convention when it was held in Houston. To my knowledge, no one was arrested but the Texas Legislature responded by changing the State's firearm preemption law to allow cities to ban the carrying of firearms by anyone at a political gathering or in a parade. CHL's are exempt.

Whenever we are talking about demonstrations, it must be remembered that motives and perception are often worlds apart. The motive for such a demonstration is to show that the armed demonstrators are peaceful. The perception by some, perhaps many, is that the demonstrators are trying to intimidate others by carrying long guns openly.

There are a lot of people in Texas urban areas that have no idea that it's legal to carry long guns without a CHL. Their ignorance on this subject could be working to our advantage.

Chas.

[lonewolf]

Mr. Cotton,
As always, your wisdom is certainly notable. I can't imagine a valid reason for an open carry demonstration of firearms under just about any circumstances. If its legal (as in the case of long guns), why demonstrate about it? It would just cause undue attention to other aspects of weapons carry and erode a lot of good work that has been done quietly elsewhere. Any demonstration is, by nature, confrontational in my book and even when for a good cause has great potential to backfire from a political perspective. The person the camera focuses on will not be the lovable grandmother, it will be the rough looking barbarian spouting nastiness.

For those who support handgun open carry, start a petition, get a zillion signatures, start an open carry organization, make it a political issue, etc, etc....contribute to candidates campaigns, have little grandma and others as spokesmen, chosen for their eloquence and demeanor. I would think having a bunch of folks with AR-15s and such bunched up on a sidewalk with signs and such would be counter productive. Perception is reality in an awful lot of cases, and becomes reality for a lot of folks when aired on the nightly news. It is partly how the media is allowed to slant so many stories and get away with it. They choose the pictures/video and edit the dialogue to fit their agenda. It's real easy to fall into their trap. Media contact should be well thought out and calculated. That's why most organizations have dedicated spokesmen.

Be very careful when you ask for attention on an issue. You just might get it.....

[joe817]

Very well put lonewolf. I agree completely.

[bayouhazard]

A handgun open carry demonstration would be intentional failure to conceal. That's a Class A misdemeanor (PC 46.035a) and makes you ineligible for a CHL.

[casingpoint]

Why, I demonstrated how to open carry in Texas just last Monday on the Sabine River while fishing. In case of an encounter with an LEO who takes exception, I'll just show him or her my Federal Firearms Permit, reproduced below in it's entirety :


A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[shootthesheet]

I guess if the anti-gun types want to keep us from exercising our Second Amendment rights all they have to do is send out the “scary black guys” to exercise their civil rights. That way we will continue to destroy ourselves out of ignorant fear while they set back and laugh.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I guess if the anti-gun types want to keep us from exercising our Second Amendment rights all they have to do is send out the “scary black guys” to exercise their civil rights. That way we will continue to destroy ourselves out of ignorant fear while they set back and laugh.

How is not doing a demonstration "destroying ourselves?"

Chas.

[Houston1944]

It's an old worn out saying but it is still true -- The best place to demonstrate is at the voting booth.

I continue to be amazed at the fact that in spite of millions of gun owners you still see anti-gun types elected. Far too many voters sit home and do nothing because the pro-gun candidate is not "perfect". When you refuse to vote for the "lesser of the two evils", then you end up with the worst of all evils.

(hope I did not stray too far off topic with my comments on demonstrating)

[shootthesheet]

I guess if the anti-gun types want to keep us from exercising our Second Amendment rights all they have to do is send out the “scary black guys” to exercise their civil rights. That way we will continue to destroy ourselves out of ignorant fear while they set back and laugh.

How is not doing a demonstration "destroying ourselves?"

Chas.

I was commenting on how Texas gun law seems to revolve around the actions of Black Americans. We have the restrictions we do because of racist laws from the past. The one you explained the history of is yet another example of frightened white people making laws to make sure so called "Minorities" are kept in their place. The evolution of law now has us all restricted by those fears. No, demonstrations are not destroying us, but the laws based in fear of race and/or the civil rights of Texas residence are.

[joe817]

Not touching that one with a 10 foot pole.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I guess if the anti-gun types want to keep us from exercising our Second Amendment rights all they have to do is send out the “scary black guys” to exercise their civil rights. That way we will continue to destroy ourselves out of ignorant fear while they set back and laugh.

How is not doing a demonstration "destroying ourselves?"

Chas.

I was commenting on how Texas gun law seems to revolve around the actions of Black Americans. We have the restrictions we do because of racist laws from the past. The one you explained the history of is yet another example of frightened white people making laws to make sure so called "Minorities" are kept in their place. The evolution of law now has us all restricted by those fears. No, demonstrations are not destroying us, but the laws based in fear of race and/or the civil rights of Texas residence are.

Thanks for the clarification, I see what you mean.

Chas.

[age_ranger]

With the recent appearance of that guy carryin gan AR at that political venue I was wondering if an open carry demonstration with long guns might be benificial in some way to shed a positive light on gun ownership.