Texas: Licensed Open Carry Approved By House Committee

HB 2756 would make open carry legal in Texas

Great news for second amendment proponents here in Texas. HB 2756 has been reported favorably (without amendments), 5-3, from the Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. HB 2756 would allow licensed handgun owners to be able to display their weapons (open carry):

“Really all they did is some editing to the existing law that’s on the books. They basically just struck out the word ‘concealed,’” said Robert Greene. “Meaning you would be able to do conceal or open depending on the policy. The same restrictions on where you carry would be in place.”

Greene is a former law enforcement officer and is now an instructor for licensed handgun holders.

“This is a good thing for CHL holders, because what it does do is alleviate the possibility of the concealed handgun licenser to be charged for carry because they expose their weapon,” he said.

“If you’re walking down the street and your hands are full, you’re wearing a suit coat. (And) your firearm is concealed by your jacket and a strong wind comes and blows your jacket open, someone sees your firearm. A CHL holder could possibly be charged for a Class A Misdemeanor.”

Greene continued, “Summertime. 110 degrees outside. It’s hard to conceal a firearm wearing shorts and a t-shirt.”

I would probably continue to carry concealed most of the time, but would appreciate the option to carry open when concealed is not practical or where I would otherwise risk the chance of printing or revealing my handgun and be potentially subjected to inadvertently breaking the law.

While I don’t think this bill goes far enough — there should be UNLICENSED open carry in Texas — it’s a move in the right direction to restoring full second amendment rights to Texans.

Next step for this bill is a full vote by the House. If it passes the House vote, it will move to the Senate committee.

I’m calling my Rep today and sending emails and letters imploring him (Rep. Paul Workman) to vote in favor of protecting our second amendment rights. Call your state representative and ask them to vote YES on HB 2756.