KBCraig wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 11:30 pm
I'll be. I didn't realize they'd changed the name.
Bit of trivia: the first open carry bill (to my knowledge) was HB 2756, in 2011.
It was filed by newly-elected George Lavender, because I asked him to file it. He did, but it went nowhere (I wasn't surprised).
That other forum's prevailing view was that allowing OC would destroy CC.
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Hi ... ill=HB2756
I think a lot of folks were more concerned that Open Carry would cause businesses, to post signage, to prohibit carry.(Which did occur in some places) With Concealed Carry, it was kind of a "don't ask don't tell, But the Anti Gunners, assisted by MSM, frightened business, owners with pictures, and video, of weekend Rambos, with AR 15s. Telling them that their businesses, would be swarmed by these types, if they didn't post signs. Of course, Open Carry was a complete non-event.
There are always going to be those opposed to any laws loosening restrictions the RTKBA. When Concealed Carry was first proposed, people complained that anyone could walk around with a gun, and no one would know it. It was likened to being a criminal.
When Open Carry was proposed, There were those who were afraid the mere sight of a holstered gun, would cause panic in the streets, police would not be able to differentiate between good guys and bad guys, open carriers would be the first ones targeted by criminals, and high noon shoot outs would be the norm.
When Campus carry was proposed, there were those who were sure, that college campuses, would turn into drunken shootouts.
None of the postulating has come to fruition. The same will be true, of Constitutional carry. It will still prohibit those, who cannot legally carry a gun, from doing so, (as if criminals, don't already carry guns) Those who wish to continue to hold an LTC, to avoid NICS background checks, at point of sale, or wish to travel to other States, with reciprocity, will still do so. As of now, in Texas, you can already carry a gun in your vehicle, with no LTC required. Several other States, already have Constitutional, (or permitless) carry, and they are not experiencing any of the issues, that the gun grabbers, predict.
My biggest fear right now, is that our elected legislators in Texas, will get rubber spines, when it comes to removing restrictions. That's why, I have sent emails, to as many people as possible, on an almost daily basis. I have referred them to this forum, as well as Texas CHL forum. Cut and pasted, articles, from gun rights group's, web sites, etc. If we keep our side, in the forefront, and let them know what we expect from them, they will have little choice but to listen.