Open-Carry Law: Keep it concealed?
By G. Romero Wendorf
Keep it in your pants, that’s my motto. Speaking, of course, about guns. Now that Texas’ Open-Carry Law took effect Jan. 1, those with a concealed-carry license can carry a gun in a side holster or shoulder holster in plain view for all to see. But apart from an urge to mimic Dirty “Make My Day” Harry, the question becomes: wouldn’t it be better if the criminals didn’t know who might or who might not have a gun on them? Isn’t it better to keep your gun concealed? I know it might look cooler if people see you packing heat, but from a safety standpoint, keeping a gun concealed makes far more sense, doesn’t it? At least from a tactical standpoint?
The men and women I personally know who have a concealed-carry license tell me they’ll keep theirs concealed, despite the new law already in effect.
The Texas legislators who passed the open-carry bill last year stripped from the new law the requirement that the holster be of the retention variety, which means it comes with one of three main safeguards that makes it harder for the crack head standing behind you in line to simply slip your gun holster while you’re handing money to the cashier.
“Hands up!!!”