It's a Constitutional Right to Carry Arms, regardless of any stupid study. I think that we should all carry and then find out how many criminals were eliminated by Peace Loving Citizens who protected themselves.
There was a time in this country when EVERYONE carried a weapon on his hip, why should it make a defference now. The Sheriff appreciated a helping hand and even enlisted Posse's to track down the Criminals. We have become to beauracratic about this. We have the right to bear arms, concealed or not. Law abiding Citizens don't become lawless just by strapping on a Colt on their hip. Having a pistol on your hip certainly doesn't mena your looking for trouble, but it does mean you you have the ability to protect yourself, just like it always has.
In Texas, wearing a pistol openly on your hip, as you suggest might not mean you're looking for trouble, but it does mean that you're going to be arrested in the next 20 minutes.