TexasCHLforum.com

So I drove the kids down to SA to go to SeaWorld and was in a Wally World here when I ran across a lady that had the open carry thing going on. In shorts, a tank top with a compact handgun in a Blackhawk Serpa holster...what's the deal?

My bet would be an off-duty cop, probably from one of the suburbs (SAPD used to require concealed in their department regs but the law does not).

I would think she still would have to have a badge of some kind showing.

TDDude wrote:I would think she still would have to have a badge of some kind showing.

Law doesn't require it, but one would think that common sense and/or department regs would....

There's a saying police officers have "Don't carry a badge without a gun, don't carry a gun without a badge." Most department's policy states you can't OC without displaying badge with it. So who knows?

I didn't see a badge, but I really wasn't checking her out that much. Just noticed, made a mental note, and kept going down the aisle.

Last week I saw a guy, well dressed slacks dress shirt, serpa owb, cuffs in a case, no badge no coat, open carry at HEB in Burnet, I kept an eye on him a second, but he acted not nervous so I figured, oh well ... and continued shopping.

Obviously someone up the food chain. Federal perhaps?

Minor point. OP observed the casual dress and apparent non-official demeanor of the "open carrier". It is possible that she had a badge displayed that was not immediatley visible, or some other type of "credential" display. None of which are required by law, but might be advisable as to avoid being arrested.

There are also a number of other non-applicability/defenses for open carry other than being a LEO, but from orignial post it appears that the person was either a LEO, or violating the law. Then again maybe she was "traveling"...

Could happen. Saw a woman at Wally World in a sport shirt and jeans and was OC. Wondered about it until I saw her badge.

I was at a Suarez International class last year in Tyler. During lunch at Taco Bell, a fellow came in OC. No badge, walked in from a van with Georgia plates. Wife and kids with him.

Our instructor got up and spoke privateky to the man. He made a hasty retreat to the van and came back unarmed. Apparently, he thought Texas was an OC. state.

What you don't know...

Texas Size 11 wrote:So I drove the kids down to SA to go to SeaWorld and was in a Wally World here when I ran across a lady that had the open carry thing going on. In shorts, a tank top with a compact handgun in a Blackhawk Serpa holster...what's the deal?

Did gunbuster signs pop up in her wake? It doesn't happen in the Houston area when I see people open carry in mufti but the rumor had to start somewhere.