Flint:
I've had to be away a couple of days, and I'm not going to reply to your last post to me with a line-by-line response.
The reason is simple: I'm slowly startin' to learn that the longer I sit typing, the more likely I am to fail in saying what I
think I'm saying. By the time I hit 70, I may figure this out...
There's very little you noted that I disagree with, in large part because I wasn't attacking open carry in any way, shape, or form. I have no opposition to open carry, per se. I think we should have the option. (Whether trying to lobby for open carry in the 81st Legislature is a good idea is an entirely different issue, and not part of the discussion in this thread.)
My post was launched simply in response to the matter of whether, if carrying openly, a retention holster should be used. "Should" as in logically and tactically correct, not as in "should be legally mandated."
All the stats talk could have been reduced to this:
Statistics show that if you ever have to pull your gun, the probability is that it will be in response to a threat that is already 10 feet or less from you, and may be closing. Increasingly, especially in densely-populated urban areas, the trend is toward multiple attackers working together.
Further, over 64% of the non-LEOs in Texas who, today, choose to carry a handgun are over 45 years of age. And it's probably safe to say that most of them do not have significant training or current experience in extreme close quarters (ECQ) defensive skills. Also, the probability is that the attacker(s) will be significantly younger, likely faster, and possibly more fit.
My personal opinion is that it makes good sense for someone who chooses to carry openly to also choose to use a retention holster.
And I champion the notion that
anyone who carries a handgun should seek out ECQ training.
Hopefully this time I said what I thought I was saying. But who knows?
