Why exactly does Texas not have open carry?

[MeMelYup]

We need to change Texas Constitution Bill of Rights, Sec. 23. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS which states, "Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
Strike out "; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
This will bring it more in line with the United States Constitutions 2nd Amendment. "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".

[smokejensen]

We need to change Texas Constitution Bill of Rights, Sec. 23. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS which states, "Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
Strike out "; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
This will bring it more in line with the United States Constitutions 2nd Amendment. "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".

Hammer, nail, head.

[C-dub]

Why doesn't Texas have open carry today? Two words: Joe Strauss.

Yup. That and that when compared to the states that really do have OC, most of them never really lost that ability like Texas did, which has made it more difficult to get back. The two states that have successfully regained that ability are Kansas and Oklahoma, although with Kansas I might be just thinking about Topeka and not the entire state. I'm not sure about OK, but KS does not have pre-emption for OC and some cities still prohibit it. Anyway, I digress. Texas lost the ability to OC for so long and the state was liberal off and on for quite a while and that had made it tough to get the ability to OC back. At least, IMHO.

[C-dub]

We need to change Texas Constitution Bill of Rights, Sec. 23. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS which states, "Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
Strike out "; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
This will bring it more in line with the United States Constitutions 2nd Amendment. "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".

Hammer, nail, head.

The biggest problem now, is that this entire issue and firearms in general is forefront in the news and many peoples' minds. So, when there is legislation either way, more people zero in on it and either oppose it or are in favor and few if any real discussions occur because of the considerable difference in views on the subject.

[smokejensen]

We need to change Texas Constitution Bill of Rights, Sec. 23. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS which states, "Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
Strike out "; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
This will bring it more in line with the United States Constitutions 2nd Amendment. "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".

Hammer, nail, head.

The biggest problem now, is that this entire issue and firearms in general is forefront in the news and many peoples' minds. So, when there is legislation either way, more people zero in on it and either oppose it or are in favor and few if any real discussions occur because of the considerable difference in views on the subject.

C-dub, I would like to take the liberty of inserting words which I believe reflect your sentiment. I certainly do not want to misrepresent what you are saying. So please correct me if I am wrong. Words in bold are mine. All others are yours.

" The biggest problem now, is that this entire issue(of freedom) and firearms in general is forefront in the news and many peoples' (the collective) minds. So, when there is legislation (scribbles on paper) either way, more people (the collective) zero in on it (freedom) and either oppose it (freedom) or are in favor (of freedom) and few if any real discussions (thoughts) occur because of the considerable difference in views on the subject (of freedom/firearms)."

Let me know if I just clarified or stupified your thoughts. ;)

[C-dub]

We need to change Texas Constitution Bill of Rights, Sec. 23. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS which states, "Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
Strike out "; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
This will bring it more in line with the United States Constitutions 2nd Amendment. "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".

Hammer, nail, head.

The biggest problem now, is that this entire issue and firearms in general is forefront in the news and many peoples' minds. So, when there is legislation either way, more people zero in on it and either oppose it or are in favor and few if any real discussions occur because of the considerable difference in views on the subject.

C-dub, I would like to take the liberty of inserting words which I believe reflect your sentiment. I certainly do not want to misrepresent what you are saying. So please correct me if I am wrong. Words in bold are mine. All others are yours.

" The biggest problem now, is that this entire issue(of freedom) and firearms in general is forefront in the news and many peoples' (the collective) minds. So, when there is legislation (scribbles on paper) either way, more people (the collective) zero in on it (freedom) and either oppose it (freedom) or are in favor (of freedom) and few if any real discussions (thoughts) occur because of the considerable difference in views on the subject (of freedom/firearms)."

Let me know if I just clarified or stupified your thoughts. ;)

That's fine. I was just trying to be less inflammatory. If you get too carried away it ends up sounding like the OC folks that are so "in your face" about the whole thing and turning people off the idea.

[smokejensen]

Understood! I just wanted to be sure that I was on the same page.
My 10th grade education didn't provide me with the filters necessary to mingle with polite society. You just let me know when I step out of bounds. ;)

[TexasCajun]

Draconian firearm restrictions were imposed during Reconstruction (post-Civil War). Since then, it's been a constant battle to regain what was lost - lots of long hours building support in the legislature, crafting a PR strategy that educates the public, and learning lessons from set backs. The current proponents of OC seem more intent on creating public spectacle instead of shaping public opinion and crafting policy.

[b322da]

by Oldgringo » Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:46 pm
It goes back to the 1870's when the white folk feared the newly freed black folk would get guns and get even.....or so I've been told.

Right

by MeMelYup » Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:52 pm
It goes back to right after the civil war. The carpet baggers had no other way to control the people of Texas

Wrong

Jim

[UpTheIrons]

Why doesn't Texas have open carry today? Two words: Joe Strauss.

This is one of those times the forum needs a great, big "Like" button.

[03Lightningrocks]

OC is not legal in Texas because the people pushing the hardest for it are a bunch of idiots who don't know how to behave properly in public. They believe in an in your face approach that has proven in the past to be counter productive to their stated goals.
Get these people to crawl back under their rocks and OC just might have a chance.

Stated slightly differently than my response, but IMO true.

I also agree with him if he's referring to the "Starbucks appreciation" types who create public spectacle and frighten those we're trying to win over.

Add me to this list as well.

[nightmare]

Why doesn't Texas have open carry today? Two words: Joe Strauss.

This is one of those times the forum needs a great, big "Like" button.

He's a big problem in the house of representatives but we can't blame him for everything if we're being honest.

The senate leadership is responsible for the lack of progress with both open carry and campus carry there.

The governor is responsible for himself not putting any pro-gun bills on the call for any of the special sessions.

[TexasCajun]

Why doesn't Texas have open carry today? Two words: Joe Strauss.

This is one of those times the forum needs a great, big "Like" button.

He's a big problem in the house of representatives but we can't blame him for everything if we're being honest.

The senate leadership is responsible for the lack of progress with both open carry and campus carry there.

The governor is responsible for himself not putting any pro-gun bills on the call for any of the special sessions.

The blame for open carry failure needs to be shared. There were so many personal attacks, threats, and just plain vile comments on Rep Pickett's Facebook page during the session that he eventually shut the page down. Not exactly out of the how to win friends & influence people playbook.

[TexasCajun]

Why doesn't Texas have open carry today? Two words: Joe Strauss.

This is one of those times the forum needs a great, big "Like" button.

He's a big problem in the house of representatives but we can't blame him for everything if we're being honest.

The senate leadership is responsible for the lack of progress with both open carry and campus carry there.

The governor is responsible for himself not putting any pro-gun bills on the call for any of the special sessions.

The blame for open carry failure needs to be shared. There were so many personal attacks, threats, and just plain vile comments on Rep Pickett's Facebook page during the session that he eventually shut the page down. Not exactly out of the how to win friends & influence people playbook.

[ELB]

by Oldgringo » Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:46 pm
It goes back to the 1870's when the white folk feared the newly freed black folk would get guns and get even.....or so I've been told.

Right

by MeMelYup » Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:52 pm
It goes back to right after the civil war. The carpet baggers had no other way to control the people of Texas

Wrong

Jim

+1. Texans suppressed open carry and have not changed that for 150 years after the yankees left.