3 Obvious Problems with the Proposed Open-Carry Gun Law

Don’t hold it against Texas. We’re not all crazy. But you wouldn’t know it from the news. OpenCarry.org claims that nearly 33,000 Texans are in favor of an open-carry gun law. That is the number of names on the electronic petition. The website bears the slogan: “A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost”.

While to some it seems obvious that the right to bear arms has always implied carrying weapons in plain view, there are several obvious common sense reasons why this proposition should NOT gain any support among Texas legislators.

1. Permits are not required to own a gun.
Unless you plan to carry a gun on your person, you are not required to complete any training whatsoever. You are able to purchase as many guns as you want, as long as your background check comes back clear. The training came when a person decided they wanted to carry that gun on them in public, as opposed to leaving it at home for home security.

The obvious implication here is that all current gun owners without training could start carrying their weapons with them in public the moment a law is passed in favor of open-carry. Do we REALLY want thousands of untrained, gun-wielding people in rush hour traffic, late night bars, convenience stores, or the local post office? How many depressed, mentally unstable, road rage driven madmen with pistols do we really want to face on a daily basis?

2. Guns intimidate. Period.
The blessing of the concealed handgun permit is found in the anonymity. You can converse with people all day long, never knowing or having to wonder if that person has a weapon ready to hand. Now imagine thousands of people walking around town with guns strapped to their thighs and in plain sight holsters. We all know people who will use anything legal at their disposal to intimidate and manipulate others. Now imagine them with guns. ‘Nuff said.

3. Bad judgment will lead to gun fights.
Is he reaching for his gun? If you wait to find out, you could be dead. Better to pull your own gun fast and be ready to fire. What if he just has an itch? What if he’s just reaching for a pack of cigarettes? How do you protect yourself in long lines, public arguments, or traffic jams? Your bad judgment could get someone killed.

We could think up half a dozen more reasons why this is a bad idea. But I’ll leave it to you. If you’re pro or con open-carry gun laws, tell me why.

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