An online petition for residents to carry handguns in plain sight in Texas had obtained more than 20,000 signatures last week. The petition will be submitted to Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature sometime in the future.
According to the petition, Texas is one of only six states in the U.S. that ban the use of publicly displayed handguns – also known as "open-carry" handguns.
Ten states – Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont and Wyoming – allow residents to openly carry a handgun without a license, the petition stated, including those states as one reason why Texas should adopt an open-carry law.
Open versus concealed carry is one of those debates that often evoke strong positions from those who carry guns, in the same way that the ".45 or 9mm" debate does. To me, it's a matter of choice and personal preference, and both options should be available. If you want to open carry, you ought to be able to do that. If you prefer to carry concealed, you ought to be able to do that as well. Folks should understand the advantages and disadvantages of either carry mode, and choose the mode that works for their particular circumstances at the time.
For example, if you're out hiking, open carry might be much more desirable and comfortable than concealed carry, depending on where you're hiking, the season, climate conditions, your body type, the type of gun you're carrying, etc. If you're going to a crowded mall or supermarket, however, you might choose to carry concealed instead. It ought to be your choice, just like the gun or caliber you choose to carry.
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