Pocket holster and open carry

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jmorris
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Pocket holster and open carry

#1

Post by jmorris »

So I'm trying to think about questions I might get from students with the new laws[1]. One that popped into my head[1] is, would a pistol in a pocket holster but with the grip outside of the pocket, not covered by a shirt, be legal open carry?

Looking at the law I'm thinking that yes, it would be legal.

Legal, but stupid.

[1]I swear, heavy drinking has not been involved.
Jay E Morris,
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oljames3
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Re: Pocket holster and open carry

#2

Post by oljames3 »

jmorris wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:03 pm So I'm trying to think about questions I might get from students with the new laws[1]. One that popped into my head[1] is, would a pistol in a pocket holster but with the grip outside of the pocket, not covered by a shirt, be legal open carry?

Looking at the law I'm thinking that yes, it would be legal.

Legal, but stupid.

[1]I swear, heavy drinking has not been involved.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-5) answers your question. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs ... /PE.46.htm
(a-5) A person commits an offense if the person carries a handgun and intentionally displays the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place. It is an exception to the application of this subsection that the handgun was partially or wholly visible but was carried in a holster.
Characterizing the actions or choices of another, especially in an educational setting, strikes me as less than optimal. Except for carrying in a SERPA and Farnam's Rules, of course.
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powerboatr
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Re: Pocket holster and open carry

#3

Post by powerboatr »

oljames3 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:30 pm
jmorris wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:03 pm So I'm trying to think about questions I might get from students with the new laws[1]. One that popped into my head[1] is, would a pistol in a pocket holster but with the grip outside of the pocket, not covered by a shirt, be legal open carry?

Looking at the law I'm thinking that yes, it would be legal.

Legal, but stupid.

[1]I swear, heavy drinking has not been involved.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-5) answers your question. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs ... /PE.46.htm
(a-5) A person commits an offense if the person carries a handgun and intentionally displays the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place. It is an exception to the application of this subsection that the handgun was partially or wholly visible but was carried in a holster.
Characterizing the actions or choices of another, especially in an educational setting, strikes me as less than optimal. Except for carrying in a SERPA and Farnam's Rules, of course.
how or what about carrying it in your pocket completely concealed, but not in a holster?
Proud to have served for over 22 Years in the U.S. Navy Certificated FAA A&P technician since 1996

Tex1961
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Re: Pocket holster and open carry

#4

Post by Tex1961 »

powerboatr wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 3:27 pm
oljames3 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:30 pm
jmorris wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:03 pm So I'm trying to think about questions I might get from students with the new laws[1]. One that popped into my head[1] is, would a pistol in a pocket holster but with the grip outside of the pocket, not covered by a shirt, be legal open carry?

Looking at the law I'm thinking that yes, it would be legal.

Legal, but stupid.

[1]I swear, heavy drinking has not been involved.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-5) answers your question. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs ... /PE.46.htm
(a-5) A person commits an offense if the person carries a handgun and intentionally displays the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place. It is an exception to the application of this subsection that the handgun was partially or wholly visible but was carried in a holster.
Characterizing the actions or choices of another, especially in an educational setting, strikes me as less than optimal. Except for carrying in a SERPA and Farnam's Rules, of course.
how or what about carrying it in your pocket completely concealed, but not in a holster?
Fully Concealed without a holster is legal.
But to chime in on the OP’s question, my personal opinion is no, not legal. And I also agree, probably stupid. I’d just tell my students that while I’m not a lawyer, why push that boundary. And ask if they think it’s worth any legal hassles.
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Re: Pocket holster and open carry

#5

Post by Flightmare »

I was pocket carrying while riding my bicycle earlier this week. My P365 usually rides in my front right hand pocket. About 6 miles into the ride, I noticed that the bottom of the grip had actually ripped thru the side of the pocket and was protruding about an inch thru the rip. I transferred the pistol from my right pocket to my left and continued the ride. That being said, it was kept in a Desantis Nemesis holster. In my opinion, this meets the legal requirement of being in a "holster", even though it is kept in a pocket. I'm no lawyer though.

https://www.desantisholster.com/the-nemesis/
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jmorris
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Re: Pocket holster and open carry

#6

Post by jmorris »

oljames3 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:30 pm
jmorris wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:03 pm So I'm trying to think about questions I might get from students with the new laws[1]. One that popped into my head[1] is, would a pistol in a pocket holster but with the grip outside of the pocket, not covered by a shirt, be legal open carry?

Looking at the law I'm thinking that yes, it would be legal.

Legal, but stupid.

[1]I swear, heavy drinking has not been involved.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-5) answers your question. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs ... /PE.46.htm
(a-5) A person commits an offense if the person carries a handgun and intentionally displays the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place. It is an exception to the application of this subsection that the handgun was partially or wholly visible but was carried in a holster.
Characterizing the actions or choices of another, especially in an educational setting, strikes me as less than optimal. Except for carrying in a SERPA and Farnam's Rules, of course.
Yes, that is the statute I'm looking at. Should have quoted it. The pistol is partially visible AND in a holster so it is legal.

The stupid part would just be expressed in my head.
Jay E Morris,
Guardian Firearm Training, NRA Pistol, LTC < retired from all
NRA Lifetime, TSRA Lifetime
NRA Recruiter (link)

powerboatr
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Re: Pocket holster and open carry

#7

Post by powerboatr »

Tex1961 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:35 pm
powerboatr wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 3:27 pm
oljames3 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:30 pm
jmorris wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:03 pm So I'm trying to think about questions I might get from students with the new laws[1]. One that popped into my head[1] is, would a pistol in a pocket holster but with the grip outside of the pocket, not covered by a shirt, be legal open carry?

Looking at the law I'm thinking that yes, it would be legal.

Legal, but stupid.

[1]I swear, heavy drinking has not been involved.
Texas Penal Code 46.02(a-5) answers your question. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs ... /PE.46.htm
(a-5) A person commits an offense if the person carries a handgun and intentionally displays the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place. It is an exception to the application of this subsection that the handgun was partially or wholly visible but was carried in a holster.
Characterizing the actions or choices of another, especially in an educational setting, strikes me as less than optimal. Except for carrying in a SERPA and Farnam's Rules, of course.
how or what about carrying it in your pocket completely concealed, but not in a holster?
Fully Concealed without a holster is legal.
But to chime in on the OP’s question, my personal opinion is no, not legal. And I also agree, probably stupid. I’d just tell my students that while I’m not a lawyer, why push that boundary. And ask if they think it’s worth any legal hassles.
i often carry my 380 bersa in a nice vega holster, in my pocket because its so easy to grab getting in and out of the truck.
i slip it in when i get out , then put it in my side console once i get back in truck
Proud to have served for over 22 Years in the U.S. Navy Certificated FAA A&P technician since 1996

cyphertext
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Re: Pocket holster and open carry

#8

Post by cyphertext »

Tex1961 wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:35 pm Fully Concealed without a holster is legal.
But to chime in on the OP’s question, my personal opinion is no, not legal. And I also agree, probably stupid. I’d just tell my students that while I’m not a lawyer, why push that boundary. And ask if they think it’s worth any legal hassles.
While not something I would do, what statute do you base that opinion on?
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