Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

This is the forum for topics directly related to desired changes in the upcoming legislative session.

Moderator: carlson1


Topic author
Ruark
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 3
Posts: 1789
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:11 pm

Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#1

Post by Ruark »

I would like to see an amendment to modify the "holster" requirement for open carry, to include carrying the gun in a pocket. This could be a pants pocket or maybe a purse's side pocket. My 9mms (SIG and Walther) fit perfectly and snugly in the front pockets of my jeans and work pants, with the grip just partially exposed. It'd be a real luxury to be able to just stick it in my pocket with having to hassle with a holster, belt clips and loops, etc. etc.

Anybody?
-Ruark

FastCarry
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 430
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:16 pm

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#2

Post by FastCarry »

Do you dress primarily with your shirt tucked in?

Soccerdad1995
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 3
Posts: 4337
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:03 pm

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#3

Post by Soccerdad1995 »

I think the concern was to prevent people from walking around with an unholstered weapon in their hand. Maybe change the requirement to just say "holster" so pocket holsters would also be OK. Personally, I am fine with a requirement for a holster that at least covers the trigger, but I don't see the harm in allowing a pocket holster, or even an ankle holster (if you are wearing shorts and sandals, for example.
User avatar

nightmare69
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 2046
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 pm
Location: East Texas

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#4

Post by nightmare69 »

I thought the holster requirement was for gun safety and keep someone from carrying gangster style.
2/26-Mailed paper app and packet.
5/20-Plastic in hand.
83 days mailbox to mailbox.
User avatar

AJSully421
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 1436
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:31 pm
Location: SW Fort Worth

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#5

Post by AJSully421 »

nightmare69 wrote:I thought the holster requirement was for gun safety and keep someone from carrying gangster style.
While that is a benefit... our OC law was copied from Oklahoma. Sen. Estes even said as much on the floor during debate.

Oklahoma has the "shoulder or belt" holster requirement, and the reason that was given from their legislators who authored the bill was that they did not want someone carrying a pistol in their hand at their side and calling it "open carry" and scaring the sheep... because, haven't you heard?... that is becoming a huge problem in the other states where OC is legal and there is no requirement to have it in a holster.

I agree that the best thing to do would be to strike the words "shoulder or belt" every time and just make it so that it says "Must be carried in a holster".
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan, 1964

30.06 signs only make criminals and terrorists safer.

NRA, LTC, School Safety, Armed Security, & Body Guard Instructor

Topic author
Ruark
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 3
Posts: 1789
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:11 pm

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#6

Post by Ruark »

I thought the holster requirement was for gun safety and keep someone from carrying gangster style.
No, as I understand it, the purpose was to ensure that it's not carried openly in the hand, which is certainly understandable.
I agree that the best thing to do would be to strike the words "shoulder or belt" every time and just make it so that it says "Must be carried in a holster".
As far as modifying the language, I would suggest going a little further and changing it to "Must be carried in a holster or pocket." Now that does NOT necessarily mean a "pocket holster." That would include just sticking the gun into your pocket. Remember, this is referring to open carry, not concealed carry. You can already carry concealed in your pocket, as long as it's concealed. The "holster" language only applies to open carry. When I stick my gun in my pocket, the grip is slightly exposed, so it's considered to be carried openly. I'm becoming motivated to contact somebody and try to get that amendment on the list.
-Ruark

Soccerdad1995
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 3
Posts: 4337
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:03 pm

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#7

Post by Soccerdad1995 »

Ruark wrote:As far as modifying the language, I would suggest going a little further and changing it to "Must be carried in a holster or pocket." Now that does NOT necessarily mean a "pocket holster." That would include just sticking the gun into your pocket. Remember, this is referring to open carry, not concealed carry. You can already carry concealed in your pocket, as long as it's concealed. The "holster" language only applies to open carry. When I stick my gun in my pocket, the grip is slightly exposed, so it's considered to be carried openly. I'm becoming motivated to contact somebody and try to get that amendment on the list.
My first thought was "how hard is it to buy a simple nylon pocket holster for $10? I still think that a blanket requirement for a holster of some type that covers the trigger completely would be a good idea for both CC and OC.

That said, I do see the point that it is weird to have a different requirement for OC than we have for CC. Right now, I can legally carry my J frame in the pocket of my jeans as long as my T-shirt covers the exposed portion of the grip. No holster needed since it is concealed carry. But if I take off my shirt, or tuck it in, and the end of the grip is exposed, then I am suddenly illegal, because I am OC'ing and the gun is not in a holster (much less a "belt or shoulder" holster). So I would be OK with standardizing this holster requirement for both types of carry, but I would still be inclined to standardize toward a requirement for a holster that covers the trigger, because I personally think that would be safer.

twomillenium
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 1691
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 10:42 pm
Location: houston area

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#8

Post by twomillenium »

If the open carry shoulder or belt holster was written for safety reasons, it would have required a level of retention instead of just requiring instructor to teach the advantages of retention. I understand not wanting people going around open carrying with the handgun in their hands. I really don't understand the concealed carry in the vehicle.
Texas LTC Instructor, NRA pistol instructor, RSO, NRA Endowment Life , TSRA, Glock enthusiast (tho I have others)
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to add it to a fruit salad.

You will never know another me, this could be good or not so good, but it is still true.

george72
Junior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 43
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 4:36 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#9

Post by george72 »

If I see a pistol grip sticking out of your pocket gangster style I'm going to assume that you're a bad guy. I personally don't think that helps our (LTC holders) collective image, and yes image is an issue with the current state of politicians trying to strip our rights. $0.02.
Last edited by george72 on Thu Sep 29, 2016 9:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar

ELB
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 8128
Joined: Tue May 22, 2007 9:34 pm
Location: Seguin

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#10

Post by ELB »

Recall that at the time this bill was going through, our friends from OCT and similar organizations were making a lot of noise in various ways about open carry. I have no doubt that one of the reasons the bill's authors thought Oklahoma's restriction was a good idea was the belief that there would demonstrations featuring "open-carry-in-the-hand" if the restriction was not included.

I think that in general the restriction was a bad idea and introduced unneeded complexity into the law (e.g. what constitutes a holster), but changing that restriction would not be one of my top goals for the coming legislative session.

p.s. and as a practice I would not recommend just carrying a pistol of any make in a pocket all by itself. A holster or some device to secure the trigger guard area would be wise. Definitely do not put anything else in that pocket. I know someone with a .40 Gold Dot fully expanded hollow point scar through about 10 or 12 inches of thigh from pocket carrying without taking these precautions.
Last edited by ELB on Thu Sep 29, 2016 9:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
USAF 1982-2005
____________

The Wall
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 819
Joined: Thu Mar 26, 2015 10:59 am

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#11

Post by The Wall »

So going on what some of you have suggested changing to must be in a holster, an individual could carry a gun in his hand as long as it is in a holster. A wrist band holster might be a good idea. How about those holsters that attach to your arm and are spring loaded and push the gun out to the hand when you flex your wrist. :lol:

User avatar

WildBill
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 17350
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:53 pm
Location: Houston

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#12

Post by WildBill »

I am for leaving the laws the way they are.
I often pocket carry, but when I do, the handgun is always in a holster that covers the trigger.
NRA Endowment Member

locke_n_load
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 1000
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 3:35 pm

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#13

Post by locke_n_load »

I'm a big fan of just "holster".
CHL Holder since 10/08
NRA Certified Instructor
Former LTC Instructor

parabelum
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 2717
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2015 12:22 pm

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#14

Post by parabelum »

There's bigger fish to fry. I'd leave this one alone. Just my opinion.

Soccerdad1995
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 3
Posts: 4337
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:03 pm

Re: Amend the "holster" requirement for OC????

#15

Post by Soccerdad1995 »

parabelum wrote:There's bigger fish to fry. I'd leave this one alone. Just my opinion.
:iagree:

Removing restricted government owned locations, and closing loopholes on governments (or their agents) restricting carry are two much more urgent issues
Locked

Return to “2017 Legislative Wish List”