OPEN CARRY CURRENT STATUS

[leVieux]

I am inquiring about the current "social acceptability" of OC in Texas. Please DO NOT comment on your opinion of OC vs) CC, as that old horse was beaten to death years ago.

I am an elderly retired U of T Academic Physician, ell-mannered and non-threatening. Usually dressed as so many of you in jeans, boots, fishing shirt, etc. As I grew up in the always legal OC State of LA, I know that this can be done without disturbance.

I would like to go about my business with a G26, PPKS, or J-Frame in an IWB rig, barley noticeable. Do have several OWB rigs if needed.

When in Texas I find myself in a HEB at least twice a day, and regularly attend Church services. I don't intend to violate those or any other known posted-areas.

My licenses incude a decades long current Texas permit and a lifetime LA permit.i

Please advise on your experiences and what I could reasonably expect.

Serious replies will be appreciated.

leVieux

 

[robertc1024]

I've had my CHL/LTC for years and I'm always looking for people carrying. I've seen exactly one person OC'ing. I too was interested to see what other people did on seeing it. It was a nothing-burger. Either people didn't notice, or didn't care.

 

[Dawico]

Nobody seems to care.

I have only seen a few people carrying open though.

I believe it's a right we fought for but didn't intend to use much. But we got it.

 

[BillFairbanks]

I’ve only seen a few people open carrying. Maybe between 5-10.

I’ve never seen anyone react to it.

I’ve only seen it in the DFW area.


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[toddnjoyce]

@majormadmax OCs quite often in SA. I do, but not as often.

Most people don’t notice, even with a commander-sized 1911 OWB. Some places (Taco Cabana is one) won’t post the 30.06/30.07, but will put a tiny gunbuster sign at the bottom of the door and ask you not to enter so you don’t frighten their guests.

The only time I’ve had a negative experience was at a restaurant that posted 30.06, but not 30.07. They were ignorant of the requirement, but asked me to leave and I did.

My most significant concern when I OC is weapon retention when someone decides they want to try to get it. My mindset is that scenario is a fight to the death, so I’m a little choosy where I OC and have the option for higher retention IWB holsters to help mitigate the concern and reduce the weapon signature.

With today’s environment, it’s so easy to have a nice, untucked shirt, that’s what I usually end up in with an OWB carry.

 

[etmo]

lease advise on your experiences and what I could reasonably expect.

I live in Bastrop, and at most of the businesses there, nobody would blink an eye at you. In my neighborhood specifically, you'd end up in so many conversations about your carry rig, ammo choice, belt position, favorite gunsmith, favorite gun range, etc, etc, that you'd CC from then on just to save time.

I work in downtown Austin, and you would cause 25% the people there to swoon in terror. Because of your age, I'd think it unlikely that anyone would call the cops on you, but never put it past the hate-filled liberals of today.

 

[Brains]

I will occasionally "OC" with an IWB rig. Basically I don't feel like untucking my shirt or I didn't grab my 'tuckable' IWB rig that day, or the weather changed and I'm not wearing my jacket, what have you. Nobody has seemed to take more than a casual notice or care much about it.

I've been playing with my kids at playgrounds and lifted them up on the monkey bars or something where the rig became visible, and the most reaction I got was a slightly surprised look from a Mom which quickly returned to normal. Since she didn't up and leave with her kids, I'd say it didn't concern her too much.

 

[MTA]

I see people OC all the time in Bonham and no one cares. But Bonham is still Texas. Now if you went to one of the cities, who the hell knows what will happen

 

[ZX9RCAM]

With today’s environment, it’s so easy to have a nice, untucked shirt, that’s what I usually end up in with an OWB carry.

This....

 

[Shady]

so Just out of curiosity how many people have actually been harassed over even open carry and how harassed were you.

I personally have never been bothered even in Austin although I try to avoid Austin as much as I can.

I am sure if it was an epidemic of cops called and harassment over it you would see posting on it. I don't recall ever seeing one.

If you ask me concealed open or partially covered is a HUGE nothingburger

 

[Fishkiller]

I have rarely seen it here in Fburg. This being a tourist town most merchants prefer no open carry. Mainly it has to do with visitors from out of state or foreigners who get weirded by OC. (technically both are foreign LOL) I do not open carry so it has not affected me. Very few places with signs, Hospital has .06 na .07 HEB has .07

 

[TxStetson]

I have never been harassed over OC, but I did have one woman stare daggers at me one day. We were at a little wide spot in the road that was almost a town, and I was headed into the Alsup's there. She saw me get out of my truck and kept staring at me like I had a 3rd eye growing out of my forehead. When we got to the door, I held it open for her as I smiled and said "after you". She stared the whole time she was walking through the store. She was behind me while I waited in line at the cashier still staring. Finally I pulled my shirt tale over the holster and asked her "is that better?" She didn't say anything, she just looked away. A few seconds later, the guy she was with walked up next to her and she started whispering to him and pointing at me. He said something to her and she went outside to their vehicle. When we got outside, he apologized to me and I said nothing to apologize for. I waved real big to her as I got in my truck and drove away. She acted like she had never seen a gun before. My first wife was from way up in New England, and acted the same way the first time she ever saw a gun.

 

[kbaxter60]

and the most reaction I got was a slightly surprised look from a Mom which quickly returned to normal. Since she didn't up and leave with her kids, I'd say it didn't concern her too much.

Or, after her initial surprise, she realized that she felt safer at that playground that day...

 

[oldag]

I really don't think that 99% of the people notice.

I have not heard of anyone having problems with OC.

 

[lightflyer1]

I open carry even in downtown Austin and have had no issues or otherwise funny looks.

 

[oldag]

I open carry even in downtown Austin and have had no issues or otherwise funny looks.

Probably need to OC in downtown Austin these days.

 

[SlimJim]

I OC on occasion but not often. Most people hardly notice but I am not in Austin. IF you OC, I would not just use a OWB holster but some type of security holster, ie. safariland als or gls.

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[BRD@66]

Probably need to OC in downtown Austin these days.

But not Olmos Park.

 

[oldag]

But not Olmos Park.

Unless you take your attorney with you.

 

[rotor]

I live in Wichita Falls. Have seen a total of two OC. One in Ihops restaurant, one in Sam's Club and woman was with a service dog and was open carrying. I think the dog had more attention. I have not seen anyone even throw a glance at the gun. I open carry when going to my ranch area and have had one person at a gas station ask me what I was carrying (Ruger LCR 38). That's it. So at least in my area it is a nobody cares situation.