Open Carry Coming to Texas
- Thread starter donguido
- Start date
OldePhart
Blackhawk
I'm with you. They say knowledge is power...I'm all for denying potential adversaries knowledge. :) If I lived in a very rural area or was out hiking or the like I'd probably carry openly but in town it's going to remain my little secret.
That said, any holster that retains the weapon well is suitable. If I were going to open carry I'd probably use a thumb-break style holster for good retention because without the grip being held in tight like my IWB holsters do I'd be a bit worried about a snatch from behind. The thumb break doesn't absolutely prevent that, of course, but does make it trickier to pull off while it really doesn't slow the wearer's draw at all (once one has practiced with it, of course).
John
That said, any holster that retains the weapon well is suitable. If I were going to open carry I'd probably use a thumb-break style holster for good retention because without the grip being held in tight like my IWB holsters do I'd be a bit worried about a snatch from behind. The thumb break doesn't absolutely prevent that, of course, but does make it trickier to pull off while it really doesn't slow the wearer's draw at all (once one has practiced with it, of course).
John
I carry my SR9 in a Blackhawk Serpa. The retention is excellent and, for me at least, it is very easy to draw from. The Serpa has gotten some bad reviews because of its trigger finger release design. Some people are apparently using it incorrectly and shooting themselves in the leg but if you draw from it like it was designed it is a very safe design IMO.
FergusonTO35
Hunter
So happy that the state of my birth finally evolved to having both concealed and open carry!!
DGW1949
Hawkeye
Open Carry is indeed coming to Texas.
However, Constitutional Carry is not.
In other words, anyone who wishes to "carry" in Texas (including any supposed gang bangers) will still have to first obtain a permit to do so from the State.
That said.......
The choice of how a Texas permit holder want's to carry his sidearm will soon be his (or hers)....which brings us back to the OP's question;
"Anyone have advice on open carry holsters for my SR40C."
My answer to that is....in the most secure holster I could find, which will look a lot like this: http://www.safariland.com/retention/model-0705-ssiii-low-ride-level-iii-retention-duty-holster-19803.html#start=1
DGW
However, Constitutional Carry is not.
In other words, anyone who wishes to "carry" in Texas (including any supposed gang bangers) will still have to first obtain a permit to do so from the State.
That said.......
The choice of how a Texas permit holder want's to carry his sidearm will soon be his (or hers)....which brings us back to the OP's question;
"Anyone have advice on open carry holsters for my SR40C."
My answer to that is....in the most secure holster I could find, which will look a lot like this: http://www.safariland.com/retention/model-0705-ssiii-low-ride-level-iii-retention-duty-holster-19803.html#start=1
DGW
and not to get too off topic I am very glad here in Texas we will have open carry. Will I open carry? Probably not right off and if and when I do it will be depending where I am going. I always prefer to conceal carry because no one knows I have a gun. But I like the option to open carry if I want.
I am sure there will be requirements like when open carrying a handgun must be in a belt holster or shoulder holster so hopefully that will prevent the mall ninjas from wearing tactical thigh rigs at the mall. Many other states already have OC and it is not a problem. It wont be in Texas either. Hopefully it wont cause businesses to start posting a bunch of 30.06 signs and no open carry signs that currently arent posted.
I am sure there will be requirements like when open carrying a handgun must be in a belt holster or shoulder holster so hopefully that will prevent the mall ninjas from wearing tactical thigh rigs at the mall. Many other states already have OC and it is not a problem. It wont be in Texas either. Hopefully it wont cause businesses to start posting a bunch of 30.06 signs and no open carry signs that currently arent posted.
DA_TriggR4Ruger
Hunter
Lol everyone in any given Wal-Mart, gas station, or restaurant gonna have an iron on their hip now. I prefer concealed carry, but will I even need to now? lol
Nano65
Bearcat
Governor Abbott signed Open Carry and Campus Carry bills today. I still plan to continue carrying concealed.
Ruger Nut10
Single-Sixer
I will be out and about Jan. 1. Probably at the deer lease, but will have to go to town just to feel a little more free. "Feel".
DA_TriggR4Ruger
Hunter
FergusonTO35 said:
HUGE +1
dakota1911
Buckeye
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2009
- Messages
- 1,021
They have had it in Arizona and you rarely see people walking around with a gun on their hip that is not some form of cop unless you go to shooting ranges or one of the cowboy places like Tombstone or Old Tucson or something.
tx gunrunner
Bearcat
- Joined
- May 13, 2014
- Messages
- 74
Now don't forget you need a conceal gun permit lic to open carry if I read the law correctly . I never open carry and never will . I don't like people knowing I have gun .
guidedfishing
Single-Sixer
Wisconsin has had open carry for as long as I can remember, no permit required. You rarely see folks open carrying in town but very common in the bush, typically a 22 pistol or usually a larger framed revolver in 357mag and up, with a retention or snap over holster. I fully support open carry and typically carry a Ruger SBH in 44 when in the woods. However, when traveling and in public places in WI & MN I always go with an IWB, Ruger LC9 concealed. In my opinion there is no sense drawing any attention to myself or creating situations which may limit my options. A permit is required for concealed carry in WI, but we have always been able to open carry without a permit. Nice to see Texas catching up a little.
Nano65
Bearcat
There will probably be a little shock to some people the first time they see someone open carrying in Texas. Unless they have been hiding under a rock it will be hard to see how they missed hearing about open carry with the huge fight in the legislature. This was an unbelievably difficult piece of legislation to pass. It was all televised and went on day after day on the internet. Texas politics is sumpthin else.
kbm6893
Single-Sixer
We have it in PA and I see it MAYBE 3 times a year, and those who are take the "open" part of open carry to the limit. Last guy I saw (just yesterday, in fact) had a huge Glock in some tactical holster on his hip, and his license plate (this was at a gas station) read "OPN CRRY". Just another person who should have more important things on his mind.
Incidentally, the leader of Open Carry Tarrant County (a Texas OC group), did not view the new law as a victory. He wanted constitutional carry. The new law that requires a carry permit to OC doesn't help him since he has burglary convictions that prevent him from getting a permit.
I OC on my property and when in the woods. But you'll never see me doing it in town. Just don't see any benefit. And in my experience, those who do it are doing it to make a statement.
Incidentally, the leader of Open Carry Tarrant County (a Texas OC group), did not view the new law as a victory. He wanted constitutional carry. The new law that requires a carry permit to OC doesn't help him since he has burglary convictions that prevent him from getting a permit.
I OC on my property and when in the woods. But you'll never see me doing it in town. Just don't see any benefit. And in my experience, those who do it are doing it to make a statement.
FergusonTO35
Hunter
If the guy has burglary convictions that keep him from getting a permit wouldn't be also be ineligible to buy or own a gun in the first place? He should probably worry more about getting his record expunged or pardoned.
kbm6893
Single-Sixer
FergusonTO35 said:
No. He can legally own a rifle, but not a pistol. So he can't get a carry permit in Texas. The convictions are misdemeanors.
FergusonTO35
Hunter
Wow, I knew Texas was more strict than alot of places but I didn't know they were that strict.
5of7
Hunter
Michigan is an open carry state, so it matters not to a CPL holder whether or not his firearm is concealed....from the standpoint of legality.
I sometimes carry open as a matter of convenience, but thus far, no one seems to have noticed, or if they did, they didn't react to it. 8)
I sometimes carry open as a matter of convenience, but thus far, no one seems to have noticed, or if they did, they didn't react to it. 8)
Armybrat
Hunter
Most of the Texas restrictions were enacted after the War for Southern Independence and the various range/fence cutting wars. Lot of shootin' was going on around here in those days. But nowadays most of the ruckus goes on in Dallas, Houston, and San Antone.FergusonTO35 said:
FergusonTO35
Hunter
Here in Kentucky CCW was banned in the immediate postwar years for the same reason. Well into the twentieth century some of our rural counties had crime rates that would make Al Capone blush.
jslshooter
Bearcat
WHO THE HELL WANTS TO OPEN CARRY ANYWAY??
As an advocate of concealed carry I see a few cons in open versus concealed carry. My biggest con in open carry is your loss of a PLAN B. No matter where you live there will always be a bad guy or two and when you're recognized as someone with a gun....then you're part of his plan and you'll be the first to go. I say, have the element of surprise and get that perp off guard when you can, if you can. My state (Louisiana) is technically still under Napoleonic Code in which open carry is not technically outlawed. A person can walk around open carry and technically not breaking the law but you will be stopped and harrased by LE for safety reasons.
As an advocate of concealed carry I see a few cons in open versus concealed carry. My biggest con in open carry is your loss of a PLAN B. No matter where you live there will always be a bad guy or two and when you're recognized as someone with a gun....then you're part of his plan and you'll be the first to go. I say, have the element of surprise and get that perp off guard when you can, if you can. My state (Louisiana) is technically still under Napoleonic Code in which open carry is not technically outlawed. A person can walk around open carry and technically not breaking the law but you will be stopped and harrased by LE for safety reasons.
DA_TriggR4Ruger
Hunter
Since conceal carry will still be an option, I'll prefer to continue in my "discrete ways" ;-)
DA_TriggR4Ruger said:
This is way it is in my state now, open carry does not even require a licence. I'd venture a guess to say more than 95% still conceal here as well in spite of that.
One of the less talked about reasons most permit holders do not open carry it that they do not enjoy making others feel uncomfortable. I'm one of those people. While I'd argue that fear is completely misguided and misplaced I still recognize the reality that it is there unfortunately with some members of the public. I'd like to think while we may disagree with them we should still have consideration for others, including their irrational fears.
Some take the opposite approach and attempt to force it into the public view with rally's and open carry events. I respect the intent, I'm honestly still undecided on what effect it has. I really haven't made up my mind on that yet.
FergusonTO35
Hunter
I carry concealed because it's nobody's darn business whether I'm carrying or not. Also, I enjoy just walking right by no guns allowed signs on the rare occasions when I have to stomach going into such a place.
Anyone currently having a valid CHL issued by the State of Texas (concealed handgun license) will be able to decide on Jan 1 how they wish to carry without having to change anything.
Your CHL will be later issued as a LTC (license to carry) at your next renewal date.
After Jan 1 if you wish to carry you must apply for the LTC.
There is no open or concealed carry without a license.
City, County, or State Law Enforcement Officers can stop or detain anyone carrying a visible handgun without probable cause until the license is validated.
There was originally an amendment to the bill that prevented LEO's from stopping you just because you had a gun but it was removed at the last minute to get the votes needed.
A handgun carried in the open must be in a belt or shoulder holster but does not have to have any kind of retention device.
A handgun that is visible in a vehicle must must also be in a belt or shoulder holster.
Private businesses that want to prohibit concealed carry in their establishment must post the 30.06 sign.
Private businesses that want to prohibit open carry (but not concealed) in their establishment must post the 30.07 sign.
If they want to prohibit both they must post both signs.
Concealed but not open carry will be permitted after Jan 1 on campuses of higher learning with the LTC license or the current CHL.
So that's what I learned recently.
I suggest anyone here in Texas considering open or concealed carry to read up on the new laws themselves.
Alien Gear Holster has a two holster package deal going on where you can two holsters in different configurations.
I plan on getting one for concealed carry and one for open carry.
Save a few bucks on the package deal and they are made in the USA.
Your CHL will be later issued as a LTC (license to carry) at your next renewal date.
After Jan 1 if you wish to carry you must apply for the LTC.
There is no open or concealed carry without a license.
City, County, or State Law Enforcement Officers can stop or detain anyone carrying a visible handgun without probable cause until the license is validated.
There was originally an amendment to the bill that prevented LEO's from stopping you just because you had a gun but it was removed at the last minute to get the votes needed.
A handgun carried in the open must be in a belt or shoulder holster but does not have to have any kind of retention device.
A handgun that is visible in a vehicle must must also be in a belt or shoulder holster.
Private businesses that want to prohibit concealed carry in their establishment must post the 30.06 sign.
Private businesses that want to prohibit open carry (but not concealed) in their establishment must post the 30.07 sign.
If they want to prohibit both they must post both signs.
Concealed but not open carry will be permitted after Jan 1 on campuses of higher learning with the LTC license or the current CHL.
So that's what I learned recently.
I suggest anyone here in Texas considering open or concealed carry to read up on the new laws themselves.
Alien Gear Holster has a two holster package deal going on where you can two holsters in different configurations.
I plan on getting one for concealed carry and one for open carry.
Save a few bucks on the package deal and they are made in the USA.
Armybrat
Hunter
That is not correct. The starting date for concealed carry into campus buildings of Texas public universities & colleges that are not prohibited places is August 1st. Carrying on the campus of those institutions is already legal and has been for 20 years.
sliclee
Single-Sixer
One main reason for open carry every where were the police abusing people who carried a gun. I saw it printed,we grabbed him, some people would call in man with a gun,even if they never saw all of it or just a tiny part cops would come and give a hard time to the person carrying. Now,open carry will stop that abuse, cops can't arrest someone on a fake charge of "brandishing" when all someone saw in a open jacket was the bottom of something.
I dont particularly care for open carry wondering who is going to practice sneaking up behind someone carrying and push forward while grabbing the gun, no matter what holding device is used. Maybe if many people are carrying and you get a warning from someone. Too many cops loose their guns like that no way to stop it,almost. I remember my uncles practicing
how to avoid that in crowded situations in NY.
I dont particularly care for open carry wondering who is going to practice sneaking up behind someone carrying and push forward while grabbing the gun, no matter what holding device is used. Maybe if many people are carrying and you get a warning from someone. Too many cops loose their guns like that no way to stop it,almost. I remember my uncles practicing
how to avoid that in crowded situations in NY.
Similar threads
