Posted on 11/27/2013 2:43:59 PM PST by marktwain
For years, supporters of open-carry gun laws have pleaded with lawmakers to allow Texans to bear their arms openly in public. With the front-running Republican gubernatorial candidate proposing open carry laws, many supporters believe the time has finally arrived for legislators to approve such a measure.
"I think open carry will be the Second Amendment issue this next session, and I do think that we can pass it because the support is just tremendous," said state Rep. George Lavender, R-Texarkana, who introduced open-carry legislation that failed earlier this year.
In a speech earlier this month, Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott proposed allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their firearms openly. Gun advocates say Abbott’s proposal reflects growing acceptance within Texas of unconcealed handguns, and some predict open carry laws could pass as soon as 2015. But opponents of the proposal say looser gun laws won't reduce violence.
"People are advocating for open carry because it gives a feeling of dominance, but there is zero scientific evidence that more guns or openly carrying reduces violence," said Kellye Bowman, the Texas spokeswoman for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense.
The gun proposal was part of Abbott's "We the People" policy initiative released earlier this month. In it, Abbott called open carry important to anyone who wants to use a handgun as a deterrent or for self-defense.
"An openly carried weapon is no more dangerous than one carried in a concealed manner," the proposal said. Abbott's proposal would also allow CHL holders to carry weapons on college campuses, subject to the approval of each school’s board of regents.
Since 1995, Texans have been permitted to carry concealed handguns if they obtain a license from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
(Excerpt) Read more at keyetv.com ...
Its not about reducing violence. Open carry removes legal jeapardy for a CCW when some pantywaist lib catches a glimpse of the weapon.
That Texas has worse gun carry laws than Vermont, New Hampshire, or Michigan is really pathetic.
The campus carry issue is a straw man. The board of regents will not choose to allow carry, so handing them the decision accomplishes zilch. Wyoming has essentially the same scenario and can’t get carry on campuses.
IMHO, there should be NO “Gun Free Zones, aka killing fields.......
Oddly enough, I wonder about the tactic of shooting for a goal, instead of a goal beyond that. They’ve been trying for open carry for so long that both sides are bogged down over that fight. If instead, they declare open carry to be an *intermediate* goal, they might have better luck in breaking up the stalemate.
The one that comes to my mind is going “full Arizona”, with no requirements for licensing of concealed (currently “shall issue”) or open carry, and getting rid of their odd peaceable journey laws.
He is throwing around so much RED MEAT while generally avoiding interaction with the WE THE PEOPLE /Tea Party sorts he is well financed with the political TX ruling-class & thus assured the R-vote in the primary. He is not speaking on immigration unless its PC-Bush talking points. Go for it Texas Voters but I am not reassured with him on immigration at all.
Still open carry in Colorado.
Not if hickenloopy has his way and not in the People’s Republic of Denver.
Avoiding Recall: Colorado's "You Don't Need a Gun to Prevent Rape" Evie Hudak Resigns
There will not be any new Colorado "gun control" legislation 2014.
Unfortunately no new gun control does not reverse the damage already done. I’m glad to see some grabber scum biting the political dust. But keep in mind that the scum is in it for the long run, always trying to move closer to their disarmament paradise.
I’m glad to see some grabber scum biting the political dust.
Make that 3 of them in same number of months.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.