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New legislative push for open carry gun law in Texas stirs emotions
news-journal.com ^ | 1 December, 2012 | Richard Yeakley

Posted on 12/01/2012 8:17:11 PM PST by marktwain

A sophomore Texarkana state representative caused a stir this week when he announced he would once again push for an open carry gun law when the legislative session convenes in January.

Rep. George Lavender hopes to spearhead legislation that would allow residents who have been approved for concealed-weapon carrying to carry holstered pistols in the open.

He was behind similar legislation that was not passed in the 2011 legislative session.

Texas is one of six states that forbids open carry in all forms.

“I definitely support open carry. The concealed handgun law to me is ridiculous... I am still carrying a gun on me, even if you don’t know. I honestly think open carry would be better because potential criminals could see right off ... Just the mere sight of a gun on a guy’s belt is a deterrent,” said Bob Godell, owner of The Gun Doctor in Longview.

Godell said firearms have been an important part of his life — so much that when he retired, he purchased the shop.

He said he has little tolerance for people who were more afraid if a gun was visible than concealed.

“It seems silly to me. Someone who has a weapon concealed is the same person with the same gun as someone who is open carrying. I see no purpose in hiding the fact that you are carrying the gun,” Godell said. “I would say, ‘Get over it.’ ”

Community activist Wray Wade said he was “100 percent against any type of open carry law.”

“An open carry law would only create more confusion in the gun control battle that exists now in this country,” Wade said.

(Excerpt) Read more at news-journal.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: banglist; lavender; opencarry; tx
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Open carry for Texas is a step toward constitutional carry.
1 posted on 12/01/2012 8:17:18 PM PST by marktwain
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To: marktwain
Gotta get rid of Dewhurst, first, or have someone put him in a political headlock.

/johnny

2 posted on 12/01/2012 8:19:16 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: marktwain

It’ll never happen until we depose the RINO speaker Straus the Louse.


3 posted on 12/01/2012 8:21:24 PM PST by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: fwdude

bump


4 posted on 12/01/2012 8:30:12 PM PST by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: marktwain; All

“...create more confusion...” ???

What???

Is this Wade guy some sort of idiot??? Stoopid??? Or...Is he just skeered of those of us who do know what real situation is in this country...

Typical poster boy of the Hoplophobic community...

I’ve always been a supporter of Texas growing up, and eliminating the restrictions against carrying in this manner in this state...We’ve had the CHL system in place now for over 15 years...Most Texans have become accustomed to the idea of carrying a firearm for lawful, self-defensive purposes...


5 posted on 12/01/2012 8:36:09 PM PST by stevie_d_64 (It's not the color of one's skin that offends people...it's how thin it is.)
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To: fwdude
Amen, preach it brother.

We've got too many weak sisters in Austin.

Straus and Dewhurst need to ride off into the sunset in the general direction of their ranches.

/johnny

6 posted on 12/01/2012 8:40:19 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: DeepInTheHeartOfTexas
I don't see even a faint possibility of the option of concealed carry going away, too many lawmakers are CCW holders.

Don't be afraid. Push for Constitutional Carry.

/johnny

8 posted on 12/01/2012 8:44:54 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: marktwain

Geez, enough with the irrational fear of firearms already.


9 posted on 12/01/2012 8:53:29 PM PST by andyk (I have sworn...eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.)
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Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: DeepInTheHeartOfTexas
Carrying open in New Mexico saved my life. It just grates on my soul like a washboard that Texas can't let me do the same without paperwork.

BTW, open carry didn't bother the State Trooper that was my neighbor when I was in NM. He borrowed it once, because he knew I had snake shot in it, and he didn't want to use his issue piece.

/johnny

11 posted on 12/01/2012 9:01:17 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: DeepInTheHeartOfTexas
Oh, in case you don't know, open carry isn't always a hogleg. I'm certainly not going to lug that kind of weight around. ;)

When I open carry, it may or may not be observable, depending on what I'm wearing, and what kind of work I'm doing.

I shouldn't have to worry about it, given the second amendment.

/johnny

12 posted on 12/01/2012 9:05:37 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: marktwain

Good for Rep. George Lavender. I’m all for folks seeing big iron on my hip ;)


13 posted on 12/01/2012 9:10:03 PM PST by Jane Long (Philippians 2:11)
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: JRandomFreeper

Who is Dewhurst?


15 posted on 12/01/2012 9:23:51 PM PST by GGpaX4DumpedTea (I am a Tea Party descendant...steeped in the Constitutional Republic given to us by the Founders.)
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To: DeepInTheHeartOfTexas

I agree whole-heartedly with you! I would like to have the option to carry either way. After all, some of our pretty dresses just wouldn’t look right with a holster strapped on.....know what I mean—LOL!


16 posted on 12/01/2012 9:35:46 PM PST by basil (Second Amendment Sisters.org)
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To: DeepInTheHeartOfTexas

I agree whole-heartedly with you! I would like to have the option to carry either way. After all, some of our pretty dresses just wouldn’t look right with a holster strapped on.....know what I mean—LOL!


17 posted on 12/01/2012 9:36:07 PM PST by basil (Second Amendment Sisters.org)
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To: marktwain

If,....if, I had a gun, I’d be all for this!!


18 posted on 12/01/2012 9:44:53 PM PST by FishinTX (Barak Obama HATES you.)
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To: marktwain
Texas should go the way of Vermont.

As it is, ya can carry a long gun in the open. There is some debate on 'how' the carry is so that 'alarm' is not raised. A simple sling should work and over the shoulder.

19 posted on 12/01/2012 9:47:06 PM PST by Theoria (Romney is a Pyrrhic victory.)
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To: Theoria

Its already legal to carry a long gun in the open in Texas


20 posted on 12/01/2012 9:54:28 PM PST by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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