Austinites respond to "Open-Carry" Bill

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety in the Texas House approved, 5 to 3, a bill that would allow licensed handgun owners to be able to display their weapons.

"Really all they did is some editing to the existing law that's on the books. They basically just struck out the word 'concealed,'" said Robert Greene. "Meaning you would be able to do conceal or open depending on the policy. The same restrictions on where you carry would be in place."

Greene is a former law enforcement officer and is now an instructor for licensed handgun holders.

"This is a good thing for CHL holders, because what it does do is alleviate the possibility of the concealed handgun licenser to be charged for carry because they expose their weapon," he said.
"If you're walking down the street and your hands are full, you're wearing a suit coat. (And) your firearm is concealed by your jacket and a strong wind comes and blows your jacket open, someone sees your firearm. A CHL holder could possibly be charged for a Class A Misdemeanor."

Greene continued, "Summertime. 110 degrees outside. It's hard to conceal a firearm wearing shorts and a t-shirt."

Just under two percent of Texans actually have a concealed handgun license. Since the law would vitually remain the same, there would not be much change to the actual law except for the fact a gun could be displayed in the open rather than concealed.

"I kind of assume, being in Texas, that everyone has a gun anyways. So, I guess it's kind of nice to know who has the gun," said Alexander Odegard. "But, I would kind of be against the weapons all together."

The bill still requires House, Senate and the Governor's approval. It heads the the Texas House floor sometime next week.