Both Governor candidates in Texas endorsed the concept of legal open carry of modern pistols. The open carry of long guns is protected by the Texas Constitution, and the open carry of antique pistols is allowed under current Texas law. The conventional wisdom is that once elected, candidates avoid campaign promises. Governor elect Abbot did not back away form his promise on open carry. From dailytexanonline.com:
Abbott also said if legislation allowing firearms to be carried openly in public came to him, he would sign it into law.Opponents of open carry were weakened by the Texas legislative elections. Wendy Davis seat went to a Tea Party conservative, Konni Burton. The new Texas state senator is an open carry supporter. Dan Patrick, the new Lt. Governor, which is a powerful position in Texas government, says that he will fight for open carry on his campaign web page.
“If open carry is good enough for Massachusetts, it's good enough for the state of Texas,” Abbott said.
The prohibition of open carry of modern handguns is a historical anomaly in Texas. Governor elect Abbot referred to it by mentioning that open carry is legal in even most states that are less supportive of the second amendment.
The major question is: will the open carry bill be a licensed open carry, or a constitutional open carry, with no permit required, as exists in most other states.?
©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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