Edit:
Does this mean they can or can't be armed? And how do they get away with what looks like to me to be at least carrying "in a manner calculated to alarm" if not brandishing? (I hate "in a manner calculated to alarm", it needs to go away, but it is what the law is now and is abused IMHO to infringe on the 2A, but only when politically correct). If the wrong person was carrying a long gun slung over his shoulder with no magazine just walking down the street minding his own business he would immediately be disarmed, forced to the ground, arrested. These guys have weapons out, inhand, magazines in the gun and what appears to be ready to shoot.Charles L. Cotton wrote:Protesting would be a factor in the legality of carrying a firearm only if 1) the person was not a CHL; and 2) the city had an ordinance against carrying firearms at a political rally. The preemption statute was watered down slightly in response to the New Black Panthers carrying rifles and shotguns in a protest outside the Republican National Convention in Houston several years ago. The authority granted to cities and counties by this change does not apply to CHLs.
Chas.
Tex. Local Gov't Code §229.001 wrote:Sec. 229.001. FIREARMS; AIR GUNS; EXPLOSIVES. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, including Section 43.002 of this code and Chapter 251, Agriculture Code, a municipality may not adopt regulations relating to:
- (1) the transfer, private ownership, keeping, transportation, licensing, or registration of firearms, air guns, ammunition, or firearm or air gun supplies; or
. . .
(b) Subsection (a) does not affect the authority a municipality has under another law to:
(6) regulate the carrying of a firearm or air gun by a person other than a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, at a:
. . .
- (C) political rally, parade, or official political meeting; or . . .
"Many of the members of the group were armed with shotguns, hunting rifles and AR-15 style assault rifles. Most looked like they were simply holding the weapon they were carrying. One of the “soldiers” took a more aggressive grip on his weapon, holding his rifle with his finger “indexed” slightly above the trigger. This can be considered a “ready” position in a shooting situation."