OPEN CARRY TEXAS. Texans get in here!

[thelaststand]

Open Carry Texas

Our goal is to promote a restoration of the traditional pro-gun culture of the great state of Texas. Thirty (30) other states within the USA have an unrestricted open carry ordinance. Less than 10 states completely ban the open carry of pistols, like Texas. Texas open carry laws are similar to a small group of anti-gun states like California and New York.

Our argument is simple. Thirty other states allow their citizens to have unrestricted (no permit needed) open carry of pistols. Our neighbors, New Mexico and Arizona are such states. In these states there are no problems caused by open carry. We believe that Texans should not settle for being treated like second rate citizens, and we should demand our rights be restored under the Constitution of the United States and of Texas.

The Texas constitution 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.”
There is no evidence that shows that a ban on open carry of pistols has been able to prevent a single crime. The Texas legislature is only authorized to regulate the wearing of arms if such regulation were to actually prevent crime. Crime is not prevented when you ban law abiding citizens from open carrying firearms.

Open Carry Texas is currently working on legislation to repeal the ban on open carry of handguns in Texas.
Please join us

main FACEBOOK page

Closed group

To find your local chapter's group search for "OCT: XXX" XXX = county name or large city. If you live in Tarrant county search "open carry texas tarrant county"


MODERATOR NOTE: Folks, this is not a discussion of the personal opinion of OC from a defensive standpoint.

It is a discussion of the effort to change TX law to allow OC from an Activism standpoing. Please stay focused on this issue and how it might be done, the beneficial effects from a 2A standpoint, and the negative effects from a 2A standpoint. Not whether OC is a good idea or not from a personal defensive standpoint (which is a discussion that's been done ad nauseum in General and Tactics). We have a laser like focus here in Activism and we need to maintain it so we don't wander off into dead ends and circles.

 

[thelaststand]

Open Carry Texas is not a civil disobedience group. We are friendly with people, we open carry with unloaded chambers and we hand out fliers. We also work with the police and support officers who support our rights.

Video of one of the walks

 

[Twiki357]

I certainly agree with your efforts. Open carry here in Arizona has been legal for at least 20 years and I think more like 30 years. Not sure since I’ve only lived here for 12. In the 12 years that I have lived here, I’m not aware of any problem that’s occurred that involved open carry.

 

[FuzzyBunny]

You might think of adding another site other than facebook.
I know way too many shooters that will not touch facebook for many reasons.

 

[wally]

You might think of adding another site other than facebook.
I know way too many shooters that will not touch facebook for many reasons.

Yup! I'm one.

 

[Agsalaska]

First, I hope you can handle a little criticism.

That being said, I hope your approach in Austin is not 'because everyone else is doing it.' Thats not going to work down there. You need to show actual benefit. Now that benefit doesnt have to be directed towards open carry. It can certainly be political as well. But it cant just be becasue everyone else is doing it. Thats not an incentive for a vote.

 

[thelaststand]

First, we do not rub our guns or rights in people's faces. *We educate, show people their rights and welcome them into the group.

Second, the anti gun group in Texas is gaining members at 5% the rate of OCT. *the argument that we are motivating the antis is wrong.*

Third, the traditional method of sitting on our butts and praying that Texas removes this unconstitutional ban has not worked for over 100 years. *That method failed and now it's time to try something else.

Fourth, *this will get some libs to move out of the state and the news will scare them from moving here.

 

[thelaststand]

On the .org website there is an email that you can send to ask for information if you don't have Facebook.

 

[jdh]

While I wish you luck in your quest, it is my personal belief that your are burning a lot of political capitol that could best be spent on more productive efforts. One example would be the protection of Texas gun owners from federal agents over zealous enforcement actions.

 

[heycods]

Only problem I have with it is the no permit part. I know lots of hotheads I wouldnt feel safe with them open or concealed carrying. I legaly carry concealed, I personaly would love open carry while fishing hunting and general country carrying, I would never open carry while in town.

 

[Art Eatman]

I strongly favor that the law allows open carry. That said, demonstrations where people openly carry "to make a point" generate more bad publicity than they do good impressions. It's a media thing. TV and newspapers and the perceptions that they inculcate into their audiences.

 

[wally]

Both Greg Abbot and Wendy Davis have said they support it. But I'd wager Wendy is lying!

So it seems if it can get through the legislature next year it could actually happen.

 

[dogtown tom]

Art Eatman I strongly favor that the law allows open carry. That said, demonstrations where people openly carry "to make a point" generate more bad publicity than they do good impressions. It's a media thing. TV and newspapers and the perceptions that they inculcate into their audiences.

+1
Open Carry Texas seems to generate more negative "publicity" for gun rights than positive.

 

[dogtown tom]

jdh While I wish you luck in your quest, it is my personal belief that your are burning a lot of political capitol that could best be spent on more productive efforts. One example would be the protection of Texas gun owners from federal agents over zealous enforcement actions.

Uh what?

 

[Agsalaska]

I strongly favor that the law allows open carry. That said, demonstrations where people openly carry "to make a point" generate more bad publicity than they do good impressions. It's a media thing. TV and newspapers and the perceptions that they inculcate into their audiences.

I totally agree. It has been counterproductive. Message control is essential and y'all lose the message when that happens. There are better ways.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Only problem I have with it is the no permit part. I know lots of hotheads I wouldnt feel safe with them open or concealed carrying. I legaly carry concealed, I personaly would love open carry while fishing hunting and general country carrying, I would never open carry while in town.

Ahhh yes, the standard "blood will flow in the streets" argument that we hear so often. Funny how the 30 states that have no permit required open carry have no issues - but you must have an exceptionally large population of hotheads in Texas compared to the other 30 states? Or maybe your population in Texas is just more violent than the other 30 states? And, of course, the answer to the problem that does not exist must be the ever popular government permission slip....

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by Art Eatman: I strongly favor that the law allows open carry.

Agree.

That said, demonstrations where people openly carry "to make a point" generate more bad publicity than they do good impressions. It's a media thing. TV and newspapers and the perceptions that they inculcate into their audiences.

Same result in municipalities in Missouri.

We have a very large number of virulently anti-gun people in the big cities here. Many of them still strongly resent the enactment of shall-issue concealed carry legislation, with state preemption, a decade ago--even though no one can point to any negative effects. "Wild West", and so on.

Television opposition to concealed carry seems to have died down, but editorialists for news"paper" links remain smuggly opposed.

It spills over into opposition of castle doctrine and so on. I know people who cannot seem to refrain from speaking ill of Florida, Texas, and outstate Missouri for gun and SD related reasons.

Ironically, almost all of them visualize Texas as havlng open carriers all over the place.

I like to watch their faces when I tell them that they must not have been keeping up with the news, that open carry was outlawed in Texas a hundred years ago, and that one is more likely to see open carriers in Seattle.

 

[Ryanxia]

You might think of adding another site other than facebook.
I know way too many shooters that will not touch facebook for many reasons.

I agree.


Good luck Texans! Don't ever give up the fight!

 

[jbrown50]

I personally prefer to conceal carry but I also strongly favor the legalization of open carry without the need for a permit. I see no problems with citizens open carrying. There are already laws in place banning the misuse of firearms and open carriers won't be any less lawful than any other responsible citizen.

I've open carried at organized events and will do so again in the future. I definitely think it should be pushed forward but please be cautious to not give the anti-gun folks anything to use against it.

 

[jdh]

Uh what?

Extreme example, Waco.

 

[Kleanbore]

I see no problems with citizens open carrying.

The task at hand, I think, is for supporters of the concept to convince those who enact the laws and their vocal constituents that the responsible, lawful carriage of firearms would not pose problems, and further, that it might well contribute to the enhancement of public safety.

That requires reasoned arguments; it will require the anticipation of objections and the civil, effective presentation of logical arguments to counter those objections. All supported by factual information.

Winning the argument will likely also require compromise. When shall issue concealed carry provisions were put on the ballot in Missouri, politicians and the media raised all kinds of objections, and the measure went down to defeat.

When the proposal was raised again in the legislature, each and every one of those objections was addressed, one way or another, and in some cases, compromises were made. The law was passed over the governor's veto by one vote. Many people still contend that what was enacted was what had been voted down earlier. I simply ask people if they are aware of all of the differences, and when they answer no, I tell them to inform themselves so they can present a rational argument before we continue the conversation.

 

[moxie]

Some of the open carry demos have been making people very nervous.

Friends who are pro-gun, pro-concealed carry, get very nervous when they see a few guys walk into the restaurant with ARs slung. Handguns don't bother them nearly as much because they simply aren't as obtrusive.

Most Texans I know are happy with the status quo. CHL requirements were revised last year making it easier to get and renew CHLs. No problem at all. The other stickler was inadvertent showing of the weapon. The law on this was revised as well. Not a problem any more. Bottom line is most Texans I know like the current laws and don't see the need for open carry.

 

[nathan]

I personally been satisfied with the current law. Im not sure yet of open carry , too much exposure to others and they would know what i have.

 

[MCgunner]

I personally been satisfied with the current law. Im not sure yet of open carry , too much exposure to others and they would know what i have.

Fine, your choice. But, do you or the government have the right to limit MY rights just because you wouldn't open carry? Heck, I wouldn't open carry much in town, either, but sure would like the right to and won't suppress the rights of others just because I don't think I would exercise the right.

I totally agree with Art on the demonstrations, though. It does attract attention, but it's mostly negative attention. But, I totally support the cause in the name of individual freedom, which is a little used word in government anymore.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I like concealed carry, I like the fact that nobody knows who is armed, so we assume everyone is.

I don't like open carry. I won't oppose it but I won't support it either.