CapnMac
Member
OC was (technically still is w/o LTC) illegal unless upon one's own land, or engaged in an activity were OC was "commonplace."Were there that many illegally open carrying all over the state before?
Definition of "commonplace" was by the county prosecutor after a person was arrested by LE. Now, out in the sticks, "commonplace" would include driving to the feed & seed in Podunk.
But, more importantly, Texas law allowed people who were "traveling" (another term up to county prosecutor to decide) to carry concealed. In some places, particularly out west, even openly. Even the recent changes in the law allow a person to carry a handgun in their car, as long as it is concealed, and without any license.
So, people did not 'need' an LTC to go about their daily lives.
The recent enactment of the LTC has caused a flurry of places to put up either 30.06 (no concealed carry), or 30.07 (no open carry) or both, signs. That is what is likely driving people to go get the LTC in record numbers.
And, like as not, it's not so much the "can't go to the feed store" as much as, hey, I been meanin' to get a license" to kick in.