Kenny D

I seen a website today called www.opencarry.org and I was wondering if anyone else here has been to this website and what are your thoughts on open carry laws (which vary by state). I know that Texas is not an open carry state but they have a "travel carry" law. This site states that Texas citizens can legally carry a loaded hand gun in the vehicle while traveling but it must be concealed. Does anyone know if this is correct? Sometimes information found on the internet cannot be trusted. I thought I would pick y'alls brains and see what everyone thought about this issue.

txshurricane

Yes, Texans can carry concealed in a car (without a CHL) under one of two conditions: they must be commuting to work or back, or they must be traveling across two county lines.

I'm an advocate for open carry. I doubt that I would actually do it if it were legal, but I think it should be legal. I lived in Wyoming for six years - where open carry is permitted - and it was never a negative thing.

bohner69

This just sounds crazy to me, As a resident of Maine I always grewnup with people open carrying, and its never been in a problem.

Siggybaby  

Georgia is open or concealed, but I personally would never open carry in public. The main reason for that is if someone happens to be casing a place right before they rob it, etc. Because if they have a pistol, you are the first one that is going to be shot, and you won't have the element of surprise going for you. Obviously with concealed, you may have the opportunity to save lives, including your own.

Also in Georgia, we can carry concealed or open in a car at all times. There are no special stipulations since in this state your car is an extension of your home and is protected by the "Castle Doctrine". We don't even have to inform the cop if we're pulled over that we are carrying unless he asks.

txshurricane

In Texas, we're required by law to inform officers if we have a firearm during a traffic stop...however, last year they removed the penalty if we do not inform. So it's a requirement that's not enforceable.

Re: the discussion of whether open carry is a deterrent vs. a violence magnet, I disagree with the above theory. That's a Hollywood scenario, for the most part. Any crook doing their homework is going to avoid a place where someone can shoot back. Murders usually only accompany robberies in quick, desperate strikes at locations where someone like us wouldn't have any reason to be anyway - i.e. ghetto gas stations and fast food joints.
How many times have you ever heard of a convenience store getting held up while a cop was there? If robbing a place was as simple as shooting the guy with the gun on his hip first, then there'd be a lot more dead cops than there are (no disrespect to the many that have already made the ultimate sacrifice).

To each his own. But whether or not you'd prefer to open carry, I believe it flies in the face of the U.S. Constitution that some states won't allow it.

Siggybaby  

I'm definitely not arguing the constitutionality. Open/concealed carry are protected by the constitution. In fact, I think the founders would laugh at all of us for putting up with how the gov't restricts us in that we are required to obtain a "permit" for something that is protected by the constitution. Open carry-like all things-has it's advantages and it's disadvantages. But most people agree that concealed is better in that you maintain the element of surprise.

Kenny D

My opinion is that a person who has passed a FBI background check required to purchase a handgun should be able to carry either concealed or open anywhere in the U.S. unless the business owner of the establishment you are entering ask that you not enter with it displayed or concealed. Most respectable people would either respect the wishes of the business owner or patronize another business that allows entry. I myself have signed the petition for open carry in Texas on the website mentioned earlier in this thread. (what good it will do is yet to be seen). I myself would carry concealed but would not worry about "printing" as most people are too busy with their daily routine to notice a slight bulge under your shirt or pocket. If you pay attention to the people you see in public, 99% of them have their attention focused on their cell phones. Rarely is the general population even aware of the things going on around them. I was always told to keep my head on a swivel and pay attention to what is happening around me. I agree that most criminals are after the "easy targets" that they can rob and run without getting into a fight. IMHO all criminals are cowards that work harder at crime than they would have to at a legal profession.

Bricktop

If it was legal in TX I'd make a Chinamart run once in a while in a shoulder rig just for fun

99% of the time I'd still carry concealed.

sigp229r 

In California, effective January 1, 2012, we lost our right to open carry unloaded. No big deal to me... IMHO, carrying an unloaded handgun, open carry is asking for trouble. Besides, what good does it do to carry an unloaded gun? I'd rather carry pepper spray...

cruisemissile

In FLA we cannot carry open. but they are very liberal about issuing concealed permits.
honestly, there are many arguments in favor of keeping your piece out plain sight.
it's called OPSEC (operational security) and military guys know what I'm talking about.
Don't let the enemy know your capabilities.
On the other hand, I grew up watching cowboys and would love to show off my piece on public.

Downtownv

Open Carry= invitation for problems (On your person)

Concealed carry= Somethings are best kept to yourself

I just came back from a Sig CCW course and the Instructor was VERY clear on this subject.

Google: 34 yr old man in Milwaukee gets open carry gun stolen from him.

txshurricane

Second Amendment = freedom of choice

008

Agreed on having the choice. I just gave up my FL CWP and took the TX class on Saturday. Our instructor is an active duty swat/warrant officer and a proponent of open carry. His department's legal team issued a statement recently that cops should expect open carry to pass in the next legislature though you'd still have to have a chl to open carry. They are working on ways to implement licensed civilians into extreme situations like terrorist attacks, hostage taking, etc. He believed if there were more open carry by civilians there would be less crime and that it was a deterrant to criminals in general and not an invitation. Not sure how I feel about it and like others I would still conceal the majority of the time but I thought it was interesting topic of discussion.

ritepath

I've been a member there for 3 or 4 years....great site, great people.

I only open carry when outdoors....hunting, fishing, hiking, jeep rides ect. I'll stop in here or there maybe grab some fast food while OCin' but I don't head out to Wallyworld with the intention of OCin' I just don't care for the attention you get when you OC.

I got caught in a line of bikers a few years back I swooped in a station while out on a jeep ride...kinda felt funny being in a line of 20 or 30 biker guys.

I like for people to open carry and support it completely, it's just not for a low keyed person like I tend to be.

Grail Knight

I only open carry when hunting, fishing, or hiking.
Outside of that I do not want others to know I carry a firearm.
Kind of removes the element of surprise.

Doug Clark

From a constitutional standpoint, I agree with the right to open carry. From a tactical view, they have a phrase to describe open carry… “You're first”. Keep your tactical advantage, stay concealed.