UPDATE (March 18)
Once again, our senators and congressman chickened out and did not even introduce the Licensed Open Carry bill. Another year of depriving Texans of their full second amendment rights.
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Four states — Texas, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas — are considering legislation that would allow people to carry handguns openly in a holster.
These generally Second Amendment-friendly states are amongst the last six states that oppose open carrying of guns in some form or another. Openly carrying handguns is legal in the other 44 states of our nation, even those that ban concealed firearms. New York and Florida also bar openly carrying handguns.
Over 55,000 Texans have signed a recent petition asking our Texas Legislature to introduce an Open Carry bill this session. All we’re asking is to let Texans vote on whether or not to allow open carry in our state. The Texas Open Carry Work Group has done a tremendous amount of work in the fight to decriminalize open carry in the great state of Texas, but there’s much more to be done.
We still have not had a bill introduced this legislative session.
If you support the second amendment, talk to your state representatives and senators
If you have not already done so, go here to sign the petition to allows open carry in Texas.
If you live in Texas, and believe that “shall not infringe” means exactly that, please take 10 minutes out of your day and give your State Representatives and Senators a call and let them know that you signed the petition for open carry in Texas or that you would like them to introduce an open carry bill this session.
Here is thea link to find your Representatives/Senators and their contact information if you do not already know it:
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
If you live in South Carolina, Oklahoma, or Arkansas — the other states considering open carry bills — call your states representatives too.
Not sure what to talk about? Here are some talking points:
- Oklahoma and South Carolina have already filed NO-LICENSE open carry bills this legislative session in response to petitions that are almost 18 TIMES smaller than the petition for Texas!
- Arkansas is following suit as well.
- Open carry also helps to protect CHL holders from wrongful arrest if their firearm becomes exposed.
- If a bill is not filed this session, Texas could become one of just 3 or 4 states that criminalize open carry.
- The current drafted bill by Representative Debbie Riddle (R) is for licensed open carry. This means that the people with CHL’s that are already carrying handguns would simply have the option to carry openly.
- If open carry gets legalized, it will not be a return to the wild west as many critics argue. Is it like the wild west in all the other states where it is perfectly lawful to openly carry a firearm? No.
If your Representative or Senator is not supportive of unlicensed open carry, ask them how they feel about licensed open carry. If they are still opposed, ask them how they feel about not being re-elected over their opposition to simply letting Texans vote on whether or not they should be able to fully exercise one of their Constitutional rights.
Flashback to 1993-4, then Gov. Ann Richards, a very popular Gov., vetoes a state referendum, to see if the citizens of Texas wished to vote on the CHL. From that point forward, her numbers dropped, and the “Veto Ann” buttons and bumper-stickers appeared all over the state. When George Bush entered the race, and stated he would sign the referendum, to give all our citizens the opportunity to vote on it, his numbers rose, and her’s fell even more.
Shortly after the election, Ann was peddling Doritos for the Super Bowl with another loser, Mario Cuomo, and a while later, W was at El Arroyo, signing the shall issue CHL law.
There is a lesson in there, for our elected officials.
REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTIVES ARE DECIEVERS (LIERS). CONTINULLY PERPETUATING THE LIE THAT A LAW HAS BEEN PASSED PROHIBITING OPEN OR CONCEAL CARRYING OF A SURVIVAL SIDEARM.” NO LAW CAN BE PASSED, NO LAW HAS BEEN PASSED” THE SUPREME COURTS HAVE MADE THEIR RULING. .. BLISS VS COMMONWEALTH .. . THE PEOPLE VS ZERILLO … COCKRUN VS THE State TEXAS 24 at 402 (AT 402) …. GOOGLE THESE CASES “NO LAW BEEN PASSED YET. THEY KEEP STEALLING MONEY UNLAWFULLY, CRIMINALS. ….THEREFORE VOTE FOR DEBRA MADENA FOR GOVERNOR, VOTE THE TWO DECIEVERS OUT PERIOD LOOK UP THE TRUTH , THE 3 CASES.
Open carry should be available without restrictions. No CHL or other license required to open carry. Remember 2d Amendment.
What’s next? State approving a marriage license? How about license for your shopping at Walmart?
Open Carry without restrictions (made by some addled brained bureaucrat)….. no license required.
Otherwise take your opencarry and shove it!!!
I believe in open carry but still should have a license and background check
#1 “Ought TO HAVE ONLY A ONE TIME QUALLIFYING COURSE EITHER the same like CONCEAL CARRY When can,When can’t shoot WHY , And handgun safety operating pistol #2 First year only a revolver like HPD (the semi auto’s are less safe for people that never grew up with guns. All s-automatics are not the same,some are very dangerous especially to those which go shoot every 4 0r 5th year, #3 OR Required to go through the Security Officer 3 day course , EITHER COURSE OK ..WHY NOT KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE,can work parttime as a Guard for MONEY. Women really ought to consider a .Model 60 Smith & Wesson revolver being it is a J frame and safe to operate , an injured hand it’s impossible to load and put a shell rd in to shoot a automatic,trying to do it between your knees is too hard,pressing those shell into a magazine is very hard for Ladies compared to just dropping them in a revolvers cylinder…CHECK out the MODEL 60 revolver 3 or 5 inch barrel a great sidearm .IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO COMPETE AGAINST YOUR HUSBAND In SHOOTING TIN CANS THEN THE 3″ BARREL But for hunting or compition the 5 inch barrel
I believe in open carry, but I do also believe that anyone that carrys, should be licensed. There are those out there that could ‘qualify’ to own a gun, but not review the laws concerning that ‘right’. To go through a course at least opens their eyes to the laws of having a gun in public. There will be those that say, well, they can/will review the laws on their own. We all know irresponsible people that will just get caught up in the movement w/o responsible action to what they are doing or capable of doing. It is like saying, since you have the ‘right’ to own a car, you by default have the ‘right’ to drive w/o a license. Do you want someone to drive w/o having at least rudimentary training and review by responsible authorities. The same with another lethal weapon, the gun.
NEVER SHOULD ANYONE BE REQUIRED TO BUY LICENSE FOR A (FREE) RIGHT … ‘FEEDOM’ VERSUS “FREEDOM” DO YOU NOT KNOW THE TRUTH? a fee for a liberty? a fee for an unalienable right? ..A FREEMAN VERSUS A FEEMAN? ..A RIGHT IS FREE…. FREE >>FREE $ DOLLARS FOR THAT WHICH SO MANY MEN HAVE BEEN BAYONETED FOR?
As a CHL holder for many years, my concern is the issue with what is called “printing” or allowing the gun to show to the out side. By the letter of the law if the wind catches your shirt and shows any part of the gun or a light pice of clothing allows a person to see it as a gun then you can go to jail for this. The open carry by license is a good fix to this issue. I do strongly agree on licensing and training. Even though driving is a privilege, you have to still be trained and licensed to operate one.
HATEING ONE CITIZEN STEALING HIS MONEY, FORCING HIM TO GIVE A CERTAIN SUM OF MONEY OR ELSE GO TO JAIL THEN FINED MONEY FOR A “FREE” UNALIENABLE “RIGHT”REQUIRING A PERMISSION REDUCED TO WRITTING (PERMIT) BY MONEY. THAT IS TYRANY AND THEIF CRIMINAL STATE GOV”T.. A DESPOT SENATE < A DESPOT HOUSE
I think that open carry is a great idea, I do think that any one that wants to carry needs to be tested and proven able to handle the weapon, knows the laws on deadly force just like a CHL holder does, in fact I think that they should be licensed to carry. I agree with the 2nd amendment in the right to bear arms, however not every one can use a weapon in a safe manner like the age of the founding fathers. I like the comment in the post that driving is a privilege it is also a right. Anyone that can drive can, as long as they are trained and Licensed. The bad guys are never going to care about the laws so why should the innocent law abiding person be a victim to them because the state or government will not protect them. If the state or feds are going to prevent open on Concealed carry then they should assign protection to us all.
Open carry should be left to the individule the same as choice of religion. God gave us the ability and choice to religion and our history has given us the right to open carry. For me I believe in both.
Open carry (wth a license) makes more sense than concealed:
1. Law enforcement would know immediately if you where carrying.
2. Law abiding CHL holders would not get in trouble for unintentionally ‘flashing’ their firearm.
3. In some cases (particularly in the hot summers) concealing a firearm is very difficult. Open carry woudl be much more convenient.
I completely support open carry (with a license and background check)
i support open carry as well , we should be able to at least vote for what we want , and enjoy our 2nd amendment rights .. i encourage you ! my fellow American to support open carry laws
Hello, I’m a Texas Licensed Firm arms instructor (Female, 42). First look at me and you would most likely say to yourself “she does not look like the person who carries a gun, much less knows much about anything them”.
10 Years ago I was assaulted in broad daylight. Ladies or for anyone who has females in their life, this is all for you.
Broad daylight at 1pm in the afternoon in a very busy grocery store in N. Dallas, I was assaulted by a man who grabbed my hair and was trying to pull me out of the store.
I was lucky I got away from the predator.
This changed my life. I promised myself that if I’m ever again put in danger like that again my perp would not be so luck to get away.
I jumped back three feet, left him with a hand full of long red hair and I was so afraid and in complete shock I did not know what to do.
However, states studies like the one done in Florida when they approved the open carry law dropped their crime rate by 20 percent.
If I had been licensed at that time and it was an open carry, my perp my have thought twice before twisting off on me.
However, because of that frightening day, I started taking Aikio classes (brown belt), got my CHL and loved it so much I became trained as an Instructor and went back to college to get my degree in Criminal Justice.
However, because of Texas ever changing laws, I’m now required to drive to Austin once
or every year: I’m required to go to Austin and be trained in all new laws as well as a shooting proficiency test.
I’m very unhappy that Texas is one of only a few other States that has not brought this to legislation.
There are too many positive statistics that support CHL or open carry. Of course, as a CHL holder we have a very big responsibility for safety.
People ask me all the time “Can’t someone just walk up and take your gun?”
The answer is: passably, however the chance is very slim because most of with a CHL are smart; purchasing only the proper holsters and the gun that fit’s it. I would also advise that the gun be a good match for the person as well. No need in carrying a S & W 500.
The Gun should fit the hand and you need to keep up your practice to be a good shot, just in case you ever have to use it, which none of us every what it to come to this.
The fact remains guys and gals; criminals (perps) are always going to be able to get their nasty little hands on a gun or other weapon (a rock can be used as a weapon or a vehicle).
Perps are less likely to attack if they know they have to fight to get what they want. If you don’t have a CHL, but want to protect yourself- do not walk like you are weak and possible prey. A perp can smell weakness, walk like you mean business, and make sure you are completely aware of all your surroundings (even across the street).
Now as for the open carry law we really need to band together and push our government in Texas not only to take it to legislation, but get the bill passed. I believe there are a lot of us out there make this a change in 2010. CHL holders in Texas have increased due to our new president elect, in fear of loosing our second amendment rights. The truth is if you do not take action for our constructional rights they well be lost and we may never get them back.
Open Carry in Texas protects the CHL and lowers crime rates. This is Texas let’s fight for what is right PUSH FOR OPEN CARRY.
Thanks for sharing your experiences on this Lady Gigi.
Sadly, it will be at least 2 more years before we can debate and vote on this again.
Hopefully by that time the Texas GOP will have a larger majority to prevent the Dems from sabotaging 1oos of bills via chubbing.
Can anyone answer this rumor?(as I believe it is just that, a rumor?)
A dear friend came to me an stated that on the 2009 tax forms we are going to have to claim every firearm we have and for each pay $50.00. This is so the government can keep up with who’s got gun’s (not who’s got milk, lol)
I have read the HR 45 Bill and it states nothing I have also research the IRS website and still found nothing.
Hopefully someone can shed some light on this Rumor.
Thank you
Lady Gigi
That’s a new one on me, Gigi.
I think it’s bogus.
gigi – it’s against the law for the federal government to collect info on gun owners regarding how many and what kinds of guns they have (that’s why there’s no such thing as a federal gun license). Something like what you’re talking about would constitute illegal activity.
As my husband woudld say….better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6. Can’t see how that would be legal for the IRS to ask that anyway…… First they have to catch you.
I want unlicensed open carry because paying for a license implies you’re buying your *inalienable* rights back from the government. This is one of the many problem I have with the Texas CHL (among others are the ludicrous restrictions on what type of gun you can carry being dependent on what kind of gun you “qualify” with, and the imprinting hogwash).
If a license is required, the cops will be busy all day stopping people to see if they have a license. I can think of a thousand better things the cops could be doing with their time.
So, which of the current candidates is going to come out for our right to openly carry in Texas? Will it be Rick or Kay or……….?
I Don’t know what TX senate district your in but there is a new guy running for district 22, Darren Yancy. I have sat down with him one on one and discussed his views on open carry. He says if elected he WILL bring a bill to the senate floor. So for all of you how might read this in TX senate district 22. Please Vote for Mr. Yancy..
I feel that we need to be given back out rights of the 2nd amendment to open carry with only needing to be a US citizen to qualify. I served USN and feel that today’s government is removing out rights quicker than ever before.
Debra Medina who is running for Governor of TX in 2010 supports open carry and she has come out publicly stating this.
I asked Gov. Perry on Friday what he thought of Open Carry, and he said that, while he prefers concealed carry because he “doesn’t want the bad guys to know who is carrying,” he does not oppose open carry.
If the legislature would ever get off their ass and give Perry an Open Carry bill to sign, he would.
“FEEMAN VS FREEMAN . FEE Liberty Vs FREE LIBERRTY . RIGHTS ARE NOT BY MONEY . FEEDOM VS FREEDOM A RIGHY REQUIRES NO PERMISSION (PERMIT) $ . ” GO SELL BY SIDEARMS …. Peter not now, I came to be arrested, PUT IT IN THE WELL,DESTOY IT, NO! PUT THE SIDEARM BACK IN ITS PLACE ,IN HOLSTER ON SIDE” – MESSIAH… N.T. .. NO LAW HAS EVER BEEN PASSED OR CAN BE PASSED AGAINST OPEN OR CONCEAL CARRYING SIDEARMS. . BLISS VS COMMONWEALTH.. THE PEOPLE VS ZERILLO .. COCKRUN VS THE State Tex 24 At 402 (at 402) . GOOGLE THESE CASES NO LAW IS PASSED PERIOD.
” GO SELL…. BUY SIDEARMS…PUT IT BACK IN ITS PLACE” THE MESSIAH
Sounds like it’s time to get rid of Chet and the other Texas Cowards. When I wrote to Senator Hutchison about this you wouldn’t believe the beat-around-the-bush response I got. And coward Chet doesn’t even post his email address. He must be afraid of what he would receive.