To be fair, constitutional carry never stood much of a chance in the Lone Star State. Whether or not the [perfectly legal] demonstrations by “Chipotle Ninjas,” the “occupation” of legislator Pancho Nevárez’s office, and the thinly-veiled threats against legislators by Open Carry Tarrant County leader Kory Watkins moved the goal posts further away, permit-less open carry is DOA at the state house. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry kicked the last bit of sod into the grave with these comments [via texastribune.org] . . .
[Perry] said he prefers concealed handguns for “a more practical reason.”
“I don’t want the bad guys to know if I’m carrying,” he said. “I don’t want to be the first person shot if something’s going down.”
Well, good for you Rick! There are plenty of TTAG readers who agree with you re: concealed carry’s tactical advantages over open carry. The question is whether or not Americans should be able to exercise their natural, civil and Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms without government infringement. Rick says no.
Perry said he was “not necessarily all that fond of this open carry concept,” adding that those who carry guns ought to be “appropriately backgrounded, appropriately vetted, appropriately trained.”
“We license people to drive on our highways,” he said. “We give them that privilege. The same is true with our concealed handguns.”
Well, there goes Perry’s support amongst the People of the Gun for his presidential aspirations – discounting the nose-holding vote factor. By the same token, say bye-bye to all hopes of Constitutional Carry for this session of the Texas legislature.
There’s good news: permitted open carry stands an excellent chance of making it to the Governor Abbott’s desk, who’s declared his intention to sign it. Stand by for our eventual series: Open Carrying in Austin. Should be fun!