Open Carry for Texas? Yes. For Me? I Don’t Know
First, let’s be real clear and get this out of the way first. I don’t think the federal, state, or any other government body has any proper power to restrict free people from owning or bearing firearms of any sort. I have a concealed handgun license, but philosophically it bothers me I had to get a license to exercise my natural right.
Guess where I had that concealed.
That out of the way, there’s a movement afoot in Texas to change the law to allow open carry — that is, in a rig that’s visible instead of concealed. I support the movement and the change in the law, but I’m not entirely clear on what I think of open carry for me.
Think about this. After decades of anti-gun propaganda we’ve gotten to the point people call the police when they see ordinary people carrying handguns or long guns anywhere short of at the shooting range. Possession of a gun is considered “suspicious” activity by police. The burden of proof and innocence falls on the ordinary person exercising his rights. How is that right? So one of the ideas behind open carry is that it will get people used to the idea that ordinary folks bearing arms is no big deal — which it isn’t, by the way. And that’s why I like open carry in general.
There are two schools of thought on open carry for the individual, and here’s where I’m conflicted. One says open carry may be a deterrent sometimes, but as often as not it’s a big target on your chest if you’re ever somewhere there’s a bad guy about to do bad things. They’ll go after you first. I don’t know that I entirely buy that — bad guys like the path of least resistance — but I do like keeping my own status low-profile just because I don’t like drawing attention. Outside of print. That is, pretty much if I’m in public, I’m going to be armed, but I don’t see why anyone on the street has to know that.
Shoot-me-first vest
On the other hand, this is Texas, and eight months out of the year it’s t-shirt/shorts weather. It can be difficult to conceal a primary handgun and backup on your body, and damn if I’m wearing one of those “shoot-me-first” vests. There have been days I would have preferred not to worry whether my sidearms were showing. And come on — it’s just unfashionable to pair a heavy leather belt with shorts and flip-flops.
I definitely want the option. I’m just not sure I’d take advantage of it.
Thoughts?
Comments
7 Responses to “Open Carry for Texas? Yes. For Me? I Don’t Know”
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I open carry every day. Only had the police called once, and they told the caller they would not respond to reports of legal activity (open carry). The caller was not happy, but went about his day after being informed I was legal. Other than that, I’ve had no problems whatsoever. In fact, shady looking people go out of their way to avoid me in public.
Thank you for your ongoing opinions about this topic. I think I’ll nominate you for an appropriate award one day soon.
Like you, I go about my life always prepared to defend my self, and as unpopular as it may be, the sheeple around me. It would be convenient to occasionally not have to worry with a cover garment. It does require greater vigilance but would make for a reasonable alternative. Should it be legal? Absolutely! Will I do it with regularity? Abolutely not! It will initially make the antis squeamish but even “they” will grow accustomed to seeing firearms as part of the total package. “My that’s a nice holster you have there! Is that croc or gator? It goes so well with your boots.”
Look to Mal for your inspiration — in terms of fashion and overcoming the idea that you’re a target:
i) a quality leather rig;
ii) shoot first
I like the spirit of the law, but it sounds like it would be a pain in day-to-day life. Don’t most private business establishments prohibit guns on their premises anyway (not to mention all federal/state/local buildings)? Unless you’re doing nothing but walking around on the street or staying in your car, I think it would be a hassle to strap-on, strap-off all the time.
I too support the right of open carry. However, I firmly believe it paints a huge target on your back. If I’m in a convenience store as a robbery is going down, as happened recently, I want to have the element of surprise on my side and elect when, where, and in what manner to reveal myself.
Zoe once said, “Do you know what the definition of a hero is? Someone who gets other people killed.”
The police are against this. You can draw your own conclusions from that. That said, I learned at an early age how to kill (one way or another) any one who threatened me with actual (rather than imagined) intent of genuine (aka) physical harm. Or, as it seems upon ocassion (I stopped counting at 30) death. It seldom takes a gun. But they come in handy. For people who need backup.