TexasCHLforum.com

It seems reasonable that the backlash against Open Carry will be similar to the backlash against the Motorist Protection Act. What MPA backlash have you seen? Discussing the actual reactions to MPA may help us avoid those problems when we pass OC in Texas.

Trinitite wrote:It seems reasonable that the backlash against Open Carry will be similar to the backlash against the Motorist Protection Act. What MPA backlash have you seen? Discussing the actual reactions to MPA may help us avoid those problems when we pass OC in Texas.

No one really knows if anyone at all ever took advantage of the MPA. Because the guns were were concealed. Once guns are allowed to be open carried the antis and panty wetters will notice and there will a reaction, whether it will be significant or not is up to debate. Whether there will be reactions is a certainty.

Trinitite wrote:It seems reasonable that the backlash against Open Carry will be similar to the backlash against the Motorist Protection Act. What MPA backlash have you seen? Discussing the actual reactions to MPA may help us avoid those problems when we pass OC in Texas.

I don't think this is a reasonable assumption; it's apples and oranges. The MPA allows you to have a firearm CONCEALED in your vehicle. Open carry is just that, and the backlash will be from seeing the handgun hanging on your belt. If no one sees the gun, then there is no reason to believe they have one, so no one thinks about it. Open carry will PROVE they have a gun.

Liberty beat me to it.

I think MPA is fueling a significant part of the effort on both sides of the parking lot bill. I think OC will have a similar effect.

As others have mentioned, the MPA requires handguns to be concealed. Also, the MPA requires you to leave your gun in the car (if you aren't a CHL), rather than bring it into your local Home Depot. This is not a valid comparison.

A better question would be, "will the backlash against concealed-carry seen in Texas from 1995 until Sept. 1, 1997 be repeated if open-carry passes?" Everyone knows my belief.

Chas.

I didn't even know that the "car carry" law was called MPA. The only difference I see is that my non-chl wife is more comfortable with the keeping the gun in the car alll the time (she used to anyway, but she used to worry about it).

Trinitite wrote:It seems reasonable that the backlash against Open Carry will be similar to the backlash against the Motorist Protection Act. What MPA backlash have you seen? Discussing the actual reactions to MPA may help us avoid those problems when we pass OC in Texas.

Just for clarification, would it be appropriate to classify it as Open Carry of Handgun? Open Carry of a long gun is currently legal in Texas - I have no idea if there has been any "backlash" because of this.

Is my assumption correct that the 30-06 signs have no impact on the ability to legally open or conceal carry a long gun? I also do not believe there is a licensing or training requirement for long guns.

Thanks & Have a Nice Day!

Conagher

Conagher wrote:Just for clarification, would it be appropriate to classify it as Open Carry of Handgun? Open Carry of a long gun is currently legal in Texas - I have no idea if there has been any "backlash" because of this.

I haven't seen anyone openly carrying a rifle or shotgun in town since I was a kid. I have heard stories about someone carrying an AR-15 in an urban area drawing a lot of attention from the police, but I have no idea if these stories are true or not. I strongly suspect that I would be talking to HPD folks, if I decided to throw one of my ARs over my shoulder and walk around outside of my downtown Houston office building.

Conagher wrote:Is my assumption correct that the 30-06 signs have no impact on the ability to legally open or conceal carry a long gun? I also do not believe there is a licensing or training requirement for long guns.

Correct. TPC §30.05 applies to carrying any firearm, other than a handgun being carried by a CHL. This means the infamous ghostbuster signs would be sufficient.

Chas.

jbirds1210 wrote:

DITTO

Charles L. Cotton wrote: I haven't seen anyone openly carrying a rifle or shotgun in town since I was a kid. I have heard stories about someone carrying an AR-15 in an urban area drawing a lot of attention from the police, but I have no idea if these stories are true or not. I strongly suspect that I would be talking to HPD folks, if I decided to throw one of my ARs over my shoulder and walk around outside of my downtown Houston office building.

Chas.

A few years back (10 or so, don’t remember exactly) there were civilians patrolling the parking lots with shotguns during the State Fair in Dallas. I don’t know if they still do or not. Periodically I see people open carrying long guns in the small town I live in, but mainly transporting versus for protection. But other than that, I do not see much either. I believe this will be true once OC for handguns is approved also; even though legal, only a few will actually open carry – it will hardly be noticeable.

Thanks & Have a Nice Day!

Conagher

Charles L. Cotton wrote:As others have mentioned, the MPA requires handguns to be concealed. Also, the MPA requires you to leave your gun in the car (if you aren't a CHL), rather than bring it into your local Home Depot. This is not a valid comparison.

A better question would be, "will the backlash against concealed-carry seen in Texas from 1995 until Sept. 1, 1997 be repeated if open-carry passes?" Everyone knows my belief.

The CHL law also required handguns to be concealed. If we didn't see a huge backlash with MPA then maybe Texas has changed since 1995-1997.

You'd also be amazed at how many people don't know about the MPA.