Here is a great web site for information regarding weapon carrying - or as I think of it, exercising your second amendment right !! www.packing.org
By the way, in Texas you have to have a concealed, and just like another poster commented, it HAS to be concealed. Any unconcealed carrying is illegal. In regards to carrying in establishments that serve alcohol, it is legal only if the establishment does not derive the majority of their income from alcohol sales. Also, other establishments can prohibit carrying concealed on their premesis by posting a state approved sign, that is in compliance with the state law. It amazes me that businesses would want to prohibit law-abiding citizens from carrying weapons - these citizens have had background checks and passes a state course, been fingerprinted etc.
So to me, these signs tell the criminal -- come on down - the coast is clear !! You can carry at an airport -- as long as you don't try to go through security. You can carry on school grounds such as parking lots, but not in the buildings, nor at race tracks, or sporting events. I believe government buildings and courthouses are off limits!! As the instructor kept telling us regarding carrying where you aren't supposed to: " It's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6" -- and he was a state legislator!! Isn't it something that we have to have all these laws to allow us to exercise a right granted by the constitution??
froggie, I like your approach and your reply; it was anything BUT in-your-face. And I, while I am put off by open-carry in everyday social situations, I am a big fan of conceal/carry. The former is fraught with a strut-your-stuff mentality, and the moods that can engender; while the latter has none of that.
I'm serious, though: if I and my family are sitting down to a nice meal and a bunch of civilians strut in wearing pistols, I get us up, walk out and tell the manager "those guys make me nervous".