I am glad to be able to read posts like this, being from Missouri where we are allowed to OC (except in towns where they have ordinances against it)it would be nice to be able to OC in Texas as well. I travel to Texas several times a year because I have family there. I have my CCW but I OC as often as possible and carrying concealed in Texas is very inconvenient for me mainly because of the weather there.http://cowtowncop.blogspot.com/2008/07/open-carry-in-state-of-texas.html
Monday, July 21, 2008
Open carry in the State of Texas
I am a cop, and I support open carry in the State of Texas.
I am not a anti government, hunker-in-the bunker, NATO black helicopters coming to take my guns wacko. The State of Texas has seen fit to trust me to enforce the laws of the State and the municipality that I work in. The State trust my judgment to the point that they have allowed me to relieve persons of their freedom. The State trust to me to carry a firearm ALL the time in places that they do not trust CCW holders to carry in. I boldly stroll past signs that declare NO concealed weapons on these premises.
When I am at work I carry a firearm openly. No one looks twice at me as I go about my daily business. I do have a small piece of tin that rides beside my weapon but it is not that noticeable. I wear business or business casual cloths that do not by themselves identify me as a police officer. Most people that I interact with seem not to notice that I am carrying a firearm. I carry a Sig P220 which is by no means a small weapon. I really don't think there would mass hysteria if a substantial portion of the law abiding public were to carry firearms where everyone could see them.
I firmly believe that the founding fathers of our country meant what they said when they wrote "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed". That "bear" part seems to be pretty self explanatory.
Think of it from a crime control standpoint. If you were a criminal would you rather commit a crime in a place where no one is armed, or a place where you can clearly see that there are armed folks around. Would a criminal walk up to a store clerk that was carrying a firearm and demand the cash out of the register? How long would a school shooter last if the staff or students were carrying firearms? How would a robbery-by-threat at a bank work if the customers or tellers were openly carrying a firearm.
From a police perspective I would rather know that someone was carrying a firearm, rather than have to guess.
We live in an increasingly violent society. Those who take responsibility for their own safety have started to apply for concealed carry permits in record numbers in our State. Our State legislature has de-criminalized certain aspects of the unlawful carry of firearms law. Wouldn't it be a logical next step to let law abiding citizens, who can qualify for a CCW, carry their firearms openly?
Posted by Cowtown Cop at 4:52 PM
Labels: CCW, Open carry, police work
I agree to a point, everyone should have at least some basic training in the handling of firearms if they intend to carry...as for the helmit laws you mentioned...I think the same could be said for this stupid seat belt law..if someone wished not to wear one they are only indangering themselves and it has no bearing on how well the vehicle is controled.Morning... it's difficult for me because I think gov't is involved in too much already AND we have too many gun laws on the books, BUT... For instance, I don't believe in gov't mandates for motorcyclists wearing helmets. If you're an adult, it's your choice. As for carrying weapons whether open carry and/or concealed, I'm all for it and believe there should be NO limitations where you can carry it!! Period!
On the otherhand, if I see you with a weapon, I wanna at least have a comfort level that you are proficient with it, safety conscious and you understand the huge responsibility that comes with wearing it. It's a tool and you should know how to use a tool safely and responsibly.
Because a weapon ONLY exists to injure or kill, I believe everyone should go through a basic safety & proficiency test. Yes, it should be mandated, but with support from an organization like the NRA or similar. I know you and the NRA would not agree with me, but that's my opinion. Joe
As I have written in another thread, the constitution was written in the common mans language, by common sence people...most polititions dont understand this language, this is why everything is so complicated.
Do you also think you should be required to take a test to be sure you don't offend anyone while speaking? or to make sure you know about the religion you want to be a part of? or to petition the government for redress of grievances? or the right of assembly? The list is long. Driving is a privilege, not a right, therefore it would only be natural that someone show a proficiency before being granted this privilege.
The only reason the government says that things are a privilege not a right...is because they can impose some sort of fee or cost so they can make a profit from it. They dont really care whatit is so long as they can get thier hands on more of our money to waste.
My weapon exists, not to injure or kill, it exists to stopa threat of harm to me or those around me. And that's my final answer, Regis.
I'm in agreement 110%. Where in the Constitution does it say that government has the rightto protect me from myself and my stupid choices?BearArms wrote:...as for the helmit laws you mentioned...I think the same could be said for this stupid seat belt law..if someone wished not to wear one they are only indangering themselves and it has no bearing on how well the vehicle is controled.For instance, I don't believe in gov't mandates for motorcyclists wearing helmets. If you're an adult, it's your choice.
How can this be off topic?....first they said we cant carry a weapon.....then they say we can but we have to pay for a permit and classes...when in fact the constitution doesnt say a word about having to pay for our "privilege" to bear arms.
I understand how you feel about the helmet laws, but there is something underneath it that you might be missing. When a Cyclist wipes out and busts their head and they have no health or life insurance, who gets to pick up the tab? When they have to be life-flighted to the nearest hospital, who picks up the tab then? All in all it puts more of a strain on the medical system and requires more tax dollars to go into it. So essentially, you would pay for it, as would I and everyone else from that town.Morning... it's difficult for me because I think gov't is involved in too much already AND we have too many gun laws on the books, BUT... For instance, I don't believe in gov't mandates for motorcyclists wearing helmets. If you're an adult, it's your choice. As for carrying weapons whether open carry and/or concealed, I'm all for it and believe there should be NO limitations where you can carry it!! Period!
On the otherhand, if I see you with a weapon, I wanna at least have a comfort level that you are proficient with it, safety conscious and you understand the huge responsibility that comes with wearing it. It's a tool and you should know how to use a tool safely and responsibly.
Because a weapon ONLY exists to injure or kill, I believe everyone should go through a basic safety & proficiency test. Yes, it should be mandated, but with support from an organization like the NRA or similar. I know you and the NRA would not agree with me, but that's my opinion. Joe
When a fat person has a heart attack or develops diabetes and they have no health of life insurance...
I know that we MAY (not will)have to accept licensing. But we need to go for the gusto. If you never ask for it, you will certainly never receive it.
Some "leftists" may be pro-open carry!