Hypothetical question and poll

[shaggydog]

How so?

Currently, the 5th circuit has ruled that 2A is an individual right. If SCOTUS decides that it is a collective right, then we loose our (better) interpretation. Heller is risking our 2A rights in the effort to get a better interpretation for the majority of the country and those that come after us. I am in favor of Heller because I think it needs to be decided and because I like our chances. Same logic on OC.

Not quite the same. Heller is gambling that the collective "we" MAY lose an existing right in order to gain some clarification.

You postulated IMMEDIATELY and FULLY relinquishing some rights on the hope that we MAY gain some clarification.

Picking nit perhaps but just trying to stay within the guidelines of the original post.

[flintknapper]

Although I wouldn't mind the option to open carry, even if I doubt I'd use it, I wouldn't give up some of the places I can legally carry concealed to get it. If the trade-off to getting OC passed is expanding the number of places statutorily off-limits, even slightly, then it is not worth it at all to me. We should be (and are) fighting to shrink the list of places off-limits to CCW; we don't need to take any steps backwards. IMHO, of course.

I'd have to take this position as well.

[Charles L. Cotton]

This comment isn't a shot across anyone's bow, whether you are on my side of the issue, or not!

Let's not turn this thread into a discussion of what we think will or will not happen, if open carry is adopted in Texas. The sole purpose of this question/poll is to see the cost open carry supports are willing to accept. There is another thread you can use to state that you either support or oppose the presumptions in this hypothetical question.

Chas.

[thankGod]

I can easily see businesses and property owners further restricting access because of OC and thus infringing or restricting CHL rights. I voted "no". So, Mr. Cotton, are you testing the waters for something upcoming?

[OverEasy]

We are already suffering too much infringement on our rights. We should not have to give up anything in order to have open carry. We need fewer infringements on our 2nd amendment rights all around. Does anybody ever consider repealing any laws? All I ever here is:"We need a new law".
Regards, OE

[45 4 life]

My greatest fear regarding OC is the reaction that it MAY generate amoung the un-informed.

I voted NO!

[frankie_the_yankee]

I voted no.

I'm not willing to accept any additional restrictions on CC in order to have expanded rights to OC.

[Venus Pax]

We should be (and are) fighting to shrink the list of places off-limits to CCW; we don't need to take any steps backwards.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I can easily see businesses and property owners further restricting access because of OC and thus infringing or restricting CHL rights. I voted "no". So, Mr. Cotton, are you testing the waters for something upcoming?

No, but thanks for asking. I don't want anyone to think something is in the works. My only motive for this poll is to get people to consider how strongly they really want to enter into dangerous waters, in the event an open-carry bill is introduced. Making this important decision demands everyone to do some risk analysis.

If a person wants open carry at any cost, then the risk factors are irrelevant. However, if someone wants open carry only if it doesn't result in greater restrictions on citizen-carry, then he/she must consider carefully the possible ramifications. Merely accepting the argument that it will work fine in Texas because it works fine in Arizona or anywhere else without considering Texas' history is is not risk evaluation; it's blind faith.

My concerns about backlash could prove to be unfounded, just as the confidence of others could prove unfounded. All I ask is that people take a step back from emotion and evaluate the risks and benefits objectively.

Chas.

[jpierce30]

I voted no because I believe that we have enough restrictions in the present. I would not take the chance that the sheep would find open carry offensive and press for more limitations.
Jim

[CWOOD]

I voted 'NO'. The reason is that I feel that ANY retreat in our rights, privileges and responsibilities as CHL's in a negative. I am not a big proponent of open carry but that is not why I voted no.

I WOULD support open carry legislation if it had no negative effect on CHL's. I think open carry should not be tied to CHL. If they wanted to set up a similar/parallel open carry process that didn't affect CHL's, that would be OK. If they wanted to try open carry without licensing, that would be OK...but much harder to get through the legislature. Most states that have open carry, have it without need of a license...AZ, NM, PA, etc. The license is required to "conceal" the weapon.

On the other hand, while the law says that a CHL violates the law if he "intentionally" fails to conceal, I would like to see it clarified that 'accidental' exposure would not be a problem.

[shootthesheet]

That reminds me of a poll I would see on CNN or MSNBC. I'll pass.

[stevie_d_64]

This comment isn't a shot across anyone's bow, whether you are on my side of the issue, or not!

Let's not turn this thread into a discussion of what we think will or will not happen, if open carry is adopted in Texas. The sole purpose of this question/poll is to see the cost open carry supports are willing to accept. There is another thread you can use to state that you either support or oppose the presumptions in this hypothetical question.

Chas.

I totally agree...Its about time you posted this situation , the poll only reinforces, yet also illustrates a very nasty outcome from the results of gaining this capability at the cost and exhuberance of the OC community...OC is to me just an statement one can choose to make or not, depending upon how much crap you are willing to put up with and on where you're at at the time...

When the situation is as legally detrimental to businesses for posting improperly, as the situation is to us, for potentially carrying in a place that is properly or improperly posted, not alot more can be done to improve our position on the issue...

[ELB]

I am much in the camp of "Keep pushing concealed carry as far as we can (i.e. little or no restrictions) and don't screw up the effort with side trips like open carry."

I understand the political statement of open carry, but I am not willing to even take the chance of jeopardizing the political statement that minimally restricted or unrestricted concealed carry makes, and I think concealed carry is a far more practical mode.

elb

[oldboyshooter]

I voted yes, but believe that the question is somewhat moot. Do we know that it would result in these restrictions?

I guess an easy way to find out is to ask someone who has lived in Arizona, where, I believe, many carry openly quite often.