Why exactly does Texas not have open carry?

[kjolly]

I am in favor of open carry to be able to show off the nice leather. Most citizens are now aware there are many of us with CHLs and even though it is not obvious because they are not seeing the guns I do not believe they would get too excited. A armed society is a polite society.

[Selcouth]

I am nuetral in open carry and can see both sides.

If all are allowed to open carry how does LEO identify those that can not legally own a firearm? What's to say gangs do not begin open carrying to "protect" their turf? Furthermore, how are officers supposed to go about questioning those individuals when they legally can't if those individuals aren't being detained? It's almost as if laws would have to be changed allowing officers to ask for ID at any given time. But would law abiding gun owners be okay with this? I think often times we fail to consider the unintended consequences of the things we want or desire to happen.

[txnative1951]

I am nuetral in open carry and can see both sides.

If all are allowed to open carry how does LEO identify those that can not legally own a firearm? What's to say gangs do not begin open carrying to "protect" their turf? Furthermore, how are officers supposed to go about questioning those individuals when they legally can't if those individuals aren't being detained? It's almost as if laws would have to be changed allowing officers to ask for ID at any given time. But would law abiding gun owners be okay with this? I think often times we fail to consider the unintended consequences of the things we want or desire to happen.

Perish the thought that we go back to a time when our 2nd Amendment rights were not being infringed by the leftists. A time when ANYONE could carry ANYTHING. Just like the Founding Fathers INTENDED. The fact that some people would even ASK this question just shows how far down the slippery slope that they have slid.

[anygunanywhere]

??

Anygunanywhere

[Jumping Frog]

I am nuetral in open carry and can see both sides.

If all are allowed to open carry how does LEO identify those that can not legally own a firearm? What's to say gangs do not begin open carrying to "protect" their turf? Furthermore, how are officers supposed to go about questioning those individuals when they legally can't if those individuals aren't being detained? It's almost as if laws would have to be changed allowing officers to ask for ID at any given time. But would law abiding gun owners be okay with this? I think often times we fail to consider the unintended consequences of the things we want or desire to happen.

Alright, Charles has inspired me to do a little better.

There are already dozens of states where open carrying is legal. The police are doing just fine sorting out good guys and bad guys. Where unlicensed open carry is legal, just because someone is engaging in legal behavior does not in and of itself give probable cause or reasonable suspicion for the police to stop and detain, nor does it give them the right to demand identification. These are our constitutional rights and these circumstances have been amply covered in Supreme Court cases.

As far as gangbangers and thugs, in most circumstances they are convicted felons or on probation and not allowed to possess firearms. Thus they will typically conceal their weapon and typically do not carry with a holster so it can be readily jettisoned when fleeing. I have heard from some police officers I know that if a gang member does have a clean conviction record, they will sometimes get a CHL so they can carry legally. That is still their right as a citizen with a clean record, and why we have "shall issue" instead of "may issue".

[Charles L. Cotton]

I am nuetral in open carry and can see both sides.

If all are allowed to open carry how does LEO identify those that can not legally own a firearm? What's to say gangs do not begin open carrying to "protect" their turf? Furthermore, how are officers supposed to go about questioning those individuals when they legally can't if those individuals aren't being detained? It's almost as if laws would have to be changed allowing officers to ask for ID at any given time. But would law abiding gun owners be okay with this? I think often times we fail to consider the unintended consequences of the things we want or desire to happen.

Sorry for the tone of two responses to your post and opinions. All Members deserve better.

Chas.

[pancho]

If all are allowed to open carry how does LEO identify those that can not legally own a firearm?

Maybe something similar to they way they identify those that cannot legally drive, are uninsured, and so on.

What's to say gangs do not begin open carrying to "protect" their turf?

Do you honestly think the gangs aren't packing now? Let me turn your first question around and ask, if the criminals conceal carry, how does LEO identify those that can not legally own a firearm?