Austin Police Chief Slams Open Carry: Allows Criminals to ‘Defy Law with Impunity’

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Not everyone in Texas is a fan of open carry. Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo is among those who believe allowing citizens to carry firearms openly in public is a bad idea.

On Tuesday, in an open (pun intended) address on Twitter, Acevedo explained why he thinks open carry, but more specifically an amendment to the open carry bill, HB 910, that would prohibit police from stopping individuals who are carrying openly and haven’t committed a crime is a threat to public safety.

“Yesterday’s amendment to Texas’ Open Carry Legislation is beyond belief and Aiken [sic] to open season for gang members, drug cartels, outlaw motor cycle gangs and any other criminal or extremist to defy the law with impunity, just brilliannt! If criminals, drug cartels, and extremists had a seat at the policy writing table they couldn’t have come up with s better Amendment,” wrote the Chief.

“By prohibiting law enforcement from stopping or detaining to check for CHL, Texas is authorizing within our state lines any and all criminals to carry a firearm,” he continued. “My heart goes out to domestic violence victims and the victims of violent crimes in our State. Through this amendment we are facilitating the victimization of the people we are sworn to serve, protect and lead.”

Acevedo went on to say that ISIS sympathizers, Klan members and Black Panthers would be able to descend on the Capitol “armed with firearms authorized by Open-Carry.” He concluded his criticism of the HB 910 by saying, “Why bother common sense has officially died and writing any further would be fruitless.”

Yet proponents of the bill and the amendment don’t foresee or anticipate the problems that Chief Acevedo does. Gun store owner Michael Cargill said it should be rather easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys.

“You will know a bad guy versus a good guy with a gun. The bad guy with a gun is going to be the one that’s shooting at you. The good guy with a gun is going to be the one that’s holding some groceries,” Cargill explained to MyFoxAustin.

State Rep. James White who helped author HB 910 and also backed the controversial amendment, says he is open to discussing the matter further with law enforcement.

“We need to be sensitive to the challenges of our law enforcement about this and…again that’s an amendment. So that is one issue that will be part of the conference committee discussion. It may stay, it may not. We’ll see,” said White.

I support open carry more in principle than in practice. I believe one should have the right to do so, but I also think that concealed carry is a better option. I don’t want others to know, specifically bad guys, that I’m carrying. By open carrying, you take away the element of surprise, which is a huge advantage in almost every defensive gun use scenario. I know, open carry advocates would argue that a visible firearm is a crime deterrent. While that may be true for the novice criminal, it may also be a “shoot-him-first” sign to the savvy evildoer.

Putting the whole open versus concealed carry debate aside, I think it’s only a matter of time before the Lone Star State legalizes open carry.

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  • Jerry March 23, 2018, 10:08 am

    The left wing, ultra-liberals need to understand that the police don’t carry a pistol to protect you….they carry to protect themselves. By the time an officer arrives on the scene the damage is done and the criminal is gone. The only person who can protect you and your family is YOU, and in order to do so you should be armed and trained and prepared to use it.

  • jay January 25, 2018, 3:38 am

    One thing you always need to do here is check the date of articles you read. This one was published in 2015, this is currently 2018. The current Austin police chief is one Brian Manley. He has been with the Austin police since hi days as a beat cop. However, I do not know his position on Gun rights. Considering Austin is a cess pit of liberalism, I really doubt he’s any better than his former boss.

  • CountryLogic September 8, 2017, 10:59 am

    I thought Art Acevedo was Houston’s COP.

  • Mr. Sparkles September 8, 2017, 8:14 am

    His statement doesn’t say much about his understanding of the issue(s). Maybe his boss ought to rethink his assignment.

  • RAy Narvaez August 14, 2017, 1:20 pm

    Does Police Chief Acevedo REALLY believe that gang members, cartel members and other CRIMINALS would OPEN CARRY? They would be carrying concealed since they are criminals and would NOT legally be allowed to even have a gun. THAT IS COMMON SENCE Chief Acevedo.

  • Frank June 23, 2017, 12:58 pm

    Here in NC we’ve had open carry for longer than I’ve been alive which is getting to be a long time now and we’ve had zero problems with any of that liberal police chiefs “concerns”. Lots of folks open carry here and it bothers no one save a few yankee occupiers that have moved in and think guns are evil. Before concealed carry became law I open carried and folks were really polite to me. I lived in San Antonio in the mid seventies and visited Austin often and loved the city. What in hell has happened to one of my favorite towns out there?

    • Rick January 24, 2018, 4:09 am

      Liberals happened out there my friend. Hard working ranchers and oil men pushed out by computer geeks.

      • meeester January 24, 2018, 11:29 am

        “pushed out”?
        I think it’s more like “don’t want to be around them”.

  • Jonathan February 13, 2017, 11:01 am

    Personally I would never open carry as I prefer the element of surprise to give me an edge in an armed confrontation.

  • Gary Brown July 23, 2016, 8:45 am

    Do your job as law enforcement office and putthe in criminals in jail problem solved. You have just taken away a gun from the bad guys .

    • Wayne Cook April 14, 2017, 7:12 am

      Agreed. A police official not thinking through an issue is as wrong as liberals who don’t think at all.

  • Matt May 13, 2016, 8:17 am

    I live in the little Moscow on the river known as Austin Texas and I can tell you firsthand that out communistic chief of police is anti gun, anti American and. If he had his way the only citizens allowed to have access to firearms would be his ever growing milateristic police force. He would abolish the 2nd amendment given the operttunity

    • Texan July 2, 2016, 9:27 am

      Matt,
      You stole my thunder! Austin’s police chief is against the Second and other rights! Hell, in Austin, if you so as much Jay walk, they throw you to the ground, handcuff you and take you to jail. Just look at YouTube.

  • BigFED December 27, 2015, 7:14 pm

    In my 50+ years dealing with thugs, they are if nothing else chicken-chits when it gets to a point they may get hurt!!! If they see ANYONE else (.e. a potential victim) carrying a gun, they will go the other way and find someone else!!! They are NOT likely too confront anyone carrying a visible handgun! Just go to YouTube and watch what happens when they are confronted by an army “victim”! They slip-slide on their own feces getting out of the area!!!

  • BigFED December 27, 2015, 11:05 am

    “State Rep. James White who helped author HB 910 and also backed the controversial amendment, says he is open to discussing the matter further with law enforcement.” First of all, asking law enforcement about what laws to have is like asking the fox about how the farmer should secure the chicken coop! Second, Acevedo is a JERK!!! He KNOWS that it will not be a problem any more than it is in the other 44 states that already allow some form of open carry!!! And Texas law STILL requires that the carrier STILL have a VALID CHL!!! And HE KNOWS that criminals are going to carry regardless of ANY law!!!

  • BigFED December 27, 2015, 11:05 am

    “State Rep. James White who helped author HB 910 and also backed the controversial amendment, says he is open to discussing the matter further with law enforcement.” First of all, asking law enforcement about what laws to have is like asking the fox about how the farmer should secure the chicken coop! Second, Acevedo is a JERK!!! He KNOWS that it will not be a problem any more than it is in the other 44 states that already allow some form of open carry!!! And Texas law STILL requires that the carrier STILL have a VALID CHL!!! And HE KNOWS that criminals are going to carry regardless of ANY law!!!

  • ExNuke April 30, 2015, 4:41 pm

    “State Rep. James White who helped author HB 910 and also backed the controversial amendment, says he is open to discussing the matter further with law enforcement.”

    Then State Rep. James White needs to spend some time discussing the issue with a few dozen line officers instead of with hired beauracrats whose job and perks depend on parroting the city council’s politically correct opinion. In case this particular Police Chief hasn’t noticed, the majority of violent criminals are already breaking “the law” with impunity and people like him are one of the reasons there is so little respect for “the law” these days. (Along with Obama’s Department of Just Us.)

  • Jay April 29, 2015, 12:00 am

    Idaho has had an open carry law for as long as I can remember. As long as you are legally allowed to possess a firearm, you can open carry in public without a license. I’ve lived in the state or just across the state line in Oregon for 50 years and I’ve never heard of any occurrence of the situations Chief Acevedo mentioned ever happening here. Perhaps he should check the history of other states with open carry laws before jumping to conclusions.

    For what it’s worth, in all this time I’ve only seen someone open carry in public, outside of some demonstration supporting 2A rights, maybe once or twice. Most seem to prefer concealed carry

  • Scott April 28, 2015, 11:01 pm

    I support conceal carry. But I don’t open carry. I think it is pushing the limits and more inclined to invite trouble makers to make issues. There are enough people out their that just will never trust a guy with a gun. The psychological mindset is there in our society of outlaws and criminals and the drama of movies they grew up with.

    A legal person with a gun may be the only person near enough to ever help you in a tough situation. After calling police on a few issues in my life time, if my life was threatened, I would of been dead by the time police got there. In trouble I would be glad my neighbor showed up with a gun to help me.

  • Larry S April 28, 2015, 4:12 pm

    I have a CHL and carry when necessary but “open carry” would make me a target for a bad guy. I would rather he think i was unarmed and be able to get the drop on him. The only time i open carry is in the woods, the snakes and bears do not recognize firearms.

    • darryl June 24, 2017, 1:06 am

      not true and if it was you’d be reading and seeing on the news every night about this happening. you just keep saying the same old tired stuff others say so you can feel as if your better then the person who does open carry. i open carry in my state and never had any problem one way or the other. i’ve only seen one video of a guy who had a bad guy come up on him and that was because he wasn’t keeping an eye on what was going on around him. one

  • Yellowdog11 April 27, 2015, 9:22 pm

    I live in Louisiana which has had open carry forever it seems like. I hardly ever see anyone open carry. In the past year, one guy in Walmart, another in Golden Corral. In the 14 years I was in the grocery store and c store business, only two people came in carrying openly (both deer hunters). I have yet to see this “disaster” and “insanity” that you obviously fear. The insanity is in the belief that open carry will somehow drive people to criminality.

  • Jim B April 27, 2015, 8:23 pm

    I’m a Proud Texas resident and CHL holder with mixed feelings about open carry. One advantage is avoiding the law hassling someone for inadvertently printing. Although I believe people should have the right to open carry, I’ll stick to concealed carry. What I carry is my business.

    • Wayne Cook April 14, 2017, 7:16 am

      Agreed. I don’t open carry, but that’s my business. Not going to template others for my position on the law.

  • Austx April 27, 2015, 8:13 pm

    I am a CHL holder and live in Austin. My biggest problem with the law the way it is now is that the slightest bump showing under my shirt or exposure of any kind of my firearm means I’ve broken the law. Open carry will put an end to that, which is why I’m for it, although I will still continue to carry concealed. If the bill passes I won’t have to worry about some liberal crybaby spotting my concealed firearm and calling the police… And to all the commenters who talk about Austin being such a liberal place; you’re absolutely right. Discussing… The “Chief” is a pretty good example of that line of thought (and I use the term loosely), don’t you think?

    • Kevin Etter April 28, 2015, 9:47 am

      I’m for it and will likely still only concealed carry as well. However, the “slightest bump showing” is not a violation of the law. “Intentional failure to conceal” is the test. Inadvertent printing or even display is not.

    • BigFED December 27, 2015, 7:04 pm

      @Austx – Living in Austin, you should keep up since you are closer to the source than the rest of us! The law changed in 2013 for that very reason, that “incidental” displays were being exploited. The current (new) law is “A license holder commits an offense if the license holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder’s person under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and intentionally displays xxx[fails to conceal]xxx the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place. The words “fails to conceal” were deleted! This is why they should have kept the requirement for classes to renew!!!

    • Wayne Cook April 14, 2017, 7:17 am

      People have to understand that libs aren’t just crybabies, they are socialist, agenda driven anti-American people who just happen to live here. They are hunting down conservatives to harrass all over the country, not just in Austin. They want absolute control and power.

  • arnold April 27, 2015, 1:15 pm

    I agree wholeheartedly with the police chief. I have been a criminal prosecutor for over 30 years. This is insanity that will end eventually in the diminished of our 2nd Amendment rights., as the public reacts to the disaster it will bring. It will come, sooner or later. Foolish and a betrayal of the gun owners to the police who generally have been good supporters of our right to responsible gun ownership and carry. Terrible move. Also, most “criminals” have never been convicted of any crime. Ask an informed citizen about their street and police who the drug dealers are, who the game members are, who the thieves are, who the burglars are, who the perverts are, etc…they can tell you and most have never ever been convicted of anything. When one does get “caught” it is the the climax of a long list of crimes that could never be proven yet known. Insanity? Yes.

    • rick April 27, 2015, 3:48 pm

      Have you ever read the constitution? So you think the first 10 amendments or the bill of rights can be taken away by the majority? Typical prosecutor.

    • Kevin Etter April 28, 2015, 11:34 am

      “as the public reacts to the disaster it will bring”????? It’s already legal in 43 states! There are states where it has NEVER BEEN ILLEGAL!!!! Why hasn’t it brought disaster to any of those other states?

      Nobody is listening to your “sky is falling” predictions anymore. You, and your ilk, are going to have to come up with a better scare tactic in the future. You are losing big time…

    • Joe McHugh April 30, 2015, 7:06 pm

      arnold, um……..are you a a criminal prosecutor in Austin, Texas? Just asking.

  • George Bexley April 27, 2015, 12:46 pm

    I do not support open carry. The main reason for me is, what’s the difference between brandishing a firearm and open carry, none, both are meant to intimidate other around them.

    • Kevin Etter April 28, 2015, 10:09 am

      George,

      You couldn’t be more wrong if you tried.

      bran·dish
      ˈbrandiSH/Submit
      verb
      gerund or present participle: brandishing
      wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.

    • Wayne Cook April 14, 2017, 7:20 am

      Here’s a person who is pushing his own opinion on others. Dangerously seeking lowest common denominator. The problem with banning open carry is that the police in Austin are arresting LTC holders if there is a bump in their clothes. Talk about abusing the law!

  • Mac April 27, 2015, 12:07 pm

    My question is why the chief can use twitter to talk about something related to weapons, but Guns America is denied a twitter account because of twitter’s policies about (and this is a paraphrase) “not allowing discussions of weapons” including knives? In case you missed it, that article is in this edition of the blog. Let’s be fair. Bombard Twitter with complaints that this law enforcement officer is violating their policies, and that you are offended that a twitter feed has something about GUNS in it!

  • Vinny April 27, 2015, 12:06 pm

    In an open-carry environment,the criminal perpetrator will conceal his weapon . You can count on that.
    They will do the opposite of what’s legal and normal. It should be quite easy for the authorities to figure out who’s who.
    I also think that if there’s a question about one’s legality,the authorities should have the option of checking one’s ID, that’s just good sense.

  • Hoss April 27, 2015, 12:05 pm

    Just another mis-guided cop from liberal Kalifornia who only wants cops and his liberal
    masters to possess guns. In his mind ANYONE carrying a gun, either concealed or openly
    is a “criminal”…

  • Larry April 27, 2015, 12:03 pm

    I am retired LWO &, while I would never open carry as I prefer concealed carry, we must remember that Austin is the most leftist city in Texas. It is “Moscow on the Hudson” &, as such, I can readily see that the police, city council, etc would all have their panties in a wad over open carry.

  • MSG John Laigaie April 27, 2015, 11:31 am

    “THE SKY IS FALLING…..THE SKY IS FALLING….THERE WILL BE BLOOD IN THE STREETS!!”
    I live in the very liberal State of Washington, where we enjoy Open Carry and I openly carry a well holstered pistol on my hip at all times. I am not mistaken for a Bad Guy and I wear my pistol everywhere. To the bank, to the grocery store, to the post office annex at my 7-11. I wore my pistol to the Bellingham Police Department to give a deposition and not an eyebrow was raised.
    Open Carriers are not targeted, they are left alone. I have people stop me and thank me for exercising MY Right to bear arms. Many States have re-instituted the Second Amendment because the People want the Right to defend themselves.
    Texas, the sky will not fall, The Second Amendment is still strong.

    • Mitch April 27, 2015, 12:41 pm

      Spot on, John. If people don’t want to open carry, they don’t have to.
      When the original CHL’s were issued way back when, the media was predicting shootouts at every corner. It didn’t happen, and “this too shall pass.”

  • Steve April 27, 2015, 11:21 am

    Here is a senerio to consider: my friend and I are walking down a street,he is open carrying, I am carrying concealed,a bad guy walks toward us with some bad intentions.
    Which of us will he shoot first? That’s why I am not fond of open carry which was just signed into law in Kansas.

    • Phil April 27, 2015, 2:28 pm

      Let a person make that decision for themselves then. I think concealed carry is the better option, but should that make open carry illegal? No.

    • Eiuelos April 28, 2015, 12:29 am

      Happened to me just the other day. I was the one walking toward you and your friend. I was going to pull my gun out and ask for your wallets. I noticed the guy on the right had a gun. I decided I could either shoot both of you (couldn’t leave a witness) and try to avoid the police hunt for a double murderer, or keep walking and find a softer target. The fact that you are still alive tells you my decision.

    • Kevin Etter April 28, 2015, 9:25 am

      Steve,

      It’s been signed into law in 43 states! Are you saying because you’re “not fond of open carry” that it shouldn’t be a legal option for anyone? I know you didn’t say that but that’s what your post implies. Telling people how to live their lives is what the other side does. People should have the right to be wrong, or right. Free to make their own decisions.

    • BigFED December 27, 2015, 11:27 am

      In my 50+ years dealing with thugs, they are if nothing else chicken-chits when it gets to a point they my get hurt!!! If they see ANYONE else carrying a gun, they will go the other way and find someone else!!! They are NOT likely too confront anyone carrying a visible handgun! Just go to YouTube and watch what happens when they are confronted by an army “victim”! They slip-slide on their own feces getting out of the area!!!

  • Tripwire April 27, 2015, 11:04 am

    Austin is the liberal stronghold of Texas, most anything coming out of there needs a spoon full of salt, In truth very few Texans will OC, most don’t want the drama and most gun owners are private people when it comes to their guns, I’ve no desire to place a target on my back, I know well the story of two famous shootist, James Butler Hickok and John Westley Hardin, both famous / infamous gun fighters who were shot in the back, I don’t sit with my back to a door or the room, I even tell waitpersons where I want to sit, yes I’m paranoid.

    • jerry April 27, 2015, 11:48 am

      Thank you tripwire, your comment makes the most sense !

    • Larry April 27, 2015, 12:11 pm

      Instead of “paranoid”, I prefer to call it cautious, reasonable & logical, my friend.

    • Damon April 28, 2015, 12:08 pm

      A man I greatly admired once told me,
      “Paranoia is another word for heightened awareness”.

  • Jonathan April 27, 2015, 9:58 am

    Keep Austin Stupid.

    Seriously, how does one become Police Chief when one is completely ignorant of the law? Texas isn’t “authorizing within our state lines any and all criminals to carry a firearm” because IT’S STILL ILLEGAL FOR CRIMINALS TO CARRY FIREARMS. Not to mention the logical fallacy that criminals who already disregard the law are going to submit to the law that they can’t carry a firearm.

  • Kevin Etter April 27, 2015, 9:44 am

    I have a question for Chief Acevedo. Why is this going to be such a problem in Texas when it hasn’t been a problem in Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico or any of the other states where open carry is legal? Do you think Texans are that much more ill behaved and lawless than citizens of other states?

    Secondly, do you allow your officers to stop people in cars to see if they have a driver’s license? How do you know that they possess all the correct documents required to legitimately be driving? Of course you don’t and driving is a privilege…not a constitutional right.

    Thirdly, let me let you in on a little secret. Criminals are NOT going to open carry. If an individual is a criminal and therefore a prohibited person, he’s going to conceal the fact that he has and is carrying a firearm since he is committing a felony by doing so.

    Kevin A. Etter
    Belton, TX

    • Blasted Cap April 27, 2015, 10:10 am

      Not an issue here in South Dakota either. In fact there were complaints in Sioux Falls about their officers checking and running ID’s since it is a violation of State Law. We only need a CCP, nothing for open carry. Might need to see if you have “Stop and Identify” laws, as this is how it was stopped here.

  • Dennis McCarty April 27, 2015, 9:38 am

    I live in Austin and while the concern is noted, the said criminals above will be carrying weapons on them (wherever the heck they want REGARDLESS OF ‘GUNS NOT ALLOWED’ SIGNS) whether the police like it or not. This law will now allow them to display their firearms. I have a feeling you won’t be seeing many exposed weapons at all. The criminals want to be seen as “normal” people. Do you really think they want to be sticking out in public??

  • Gary Maitland April 27, 2015, 9:01 am

    As a criminologist I believe in concealed carry only, except in your motor vehicles or your own property where open carry must be authorized for an individuals choice of safety. Criminals will take open carry in public weapons as more of an invitation to “strike first” to attack citizens or even just steal these weapons. Police officers already have a difficult time keeping criminals from taking their weapons away from them that they openly carry and we regarly train police in “handgun retention”.

    • Phil April 27, 2015, 2:25 pm

      I agree 100% that concealed carry is the better option. But, just because there is a better option, should we make all of the other options illegal? There may be a time in the future when you want/need to carry openly, and it is against the law. What will you do then?

  • T.Jefferson April 27, 2015, 8:58 am

    Should people have the right to open carry? Yes. Would I? No. No one needs to know what I have.

    • J Talli April 27, 2015, 8:27 pm

      Right to carry open Yes, Right to be stupid Yes. It’s like the telling someone don’t mess with me, I’m a black belt , or in a worst scenario in a defensive situation telling the person with the gun, Hey!! I’m wearing a bullet proof vest.
      The martial arts person just lost their element of offensive surprise, the person with the bullet proof vest just got shot in the head. As a martial artist, and having a concealed carry permit for 45 years, what I know that my attacker doesn’t know I possess, or have at my ready,…. that split second element of surprise, may be the only edge I have to protect my life, or the lives of my loved ones.

  • Alphonse April 27, 2015, 8:46 am

    If the police had not been so extreme, acting like gestapo thugs in dealing with concealed carry licensees, this bill would never have seen the light of day. Suspected concealed carry licensees have been arrested and generally harassed by police who were going after people carrying legally to get a quick bust while hard criminals were ignored. When cops go too far, bad things happen.

  • D.K. April 27, 2015, 8:43 am

    I agree with the author. I would rather carry my weapon concealed, although I can understand both sides of the issue. I think open carry will just give the ant-gun crowd more of an opportunity to harass legal gun owners. Also, what happens when a place of business refuses to allow open carry on their property, or restaurants to deny service to people who open carry. Not unlike the pizza place in Indiana who objected to gays after the “Freedom of religion bill passed”. Not exactly the same thing but, the same principle applies. Tax payers would probably be on the hook to pay for any lawsuits that may arise. As I stated in the first sentence, I can see both sides of the issue but, as the old saying goes, ” discretion is the better part of valor”.

  • MG April 27, 2015, 8:33 am

    If Chief Acevedo is correct, then why is open cary a non-issue in 40 other states where it’s allowed? What’s so special about Texas where openly carrying a firearm would lead to violence and chaos? Art Acevedo is a California transplant and he went to Texas to help spread California liberalism. He gives lip-service to the 2nd Amendment when in the company of conservatives, but in reality he’s a snake fascist.

  • lupus April 27, 2015, 8:31 am

    Chief Acevedo, do you also feel for someone that drove over 10 MPH (DIDN’T HARM ANYONE) AND HAD LICENSE TAKEN AWAY OR PAID TICKET, didn’t think so. That’s kinda law you like to enforce, but when it comes to face the purpose the police force was created for- you don’t like it.
    I guess you are not predisposed to carry out your duties…

  • ejharb April 27, 2015, 8:31 am

    If a policeman suspects you to be a criminal let them check.perps have stolen guns mostly and if you’re.a felon you can’t have ammo let alone guns. Austin is a den of idiots the rest of texas needs to flush

  • David April 27, 2015, 8:05 am

    I’m a Texas CHL holder. I absolutely do not mind the idea of our LEOs being able to stop and verify that someone that is openly carrying is doing so legally. Our LEOs have a tough enough job, so why make it more difficult? That provision should not have been added to the bill(s).

    • Phil April 27, 2015, 2:17 pm

      Doesn’t make their job any more difficult. It just makes them follow the law, which prohibits illegal searches and seizures. In fact, it makes their job easier. When you KNOW a person has a gun, and you know where that gun is located, you have a leg up in your decision making. If a criminal has a gun that is visible, I guarantee you they are already in the act of violating the law, in which case an LEO has the legal authority to then take action.

      Should LEOs be allowed to stop anyone and everyone and pat them down to check and see if they have a concealed weapon, and then check them for the CHL? That’s the exact same thing as what you’re describing. Be careful what you wish for, sir.

  • Barry April 27, 2015, 7:02 am

    I have a chl and I don’t mind being asked to show it by law enforcement. It’d be like showing my fishing or hunting license to a game warden.

    • Phil April 27, 2015, 2:09 pm

      I have a major issue with that. Both of those actions that you mention are illegal. Game wardens are allowed to do a lot of things that are illegal. Like proceeding onto private property without proper permission or a warrant. We are protected from illegal searches and seizures, and that should include those performed by game wardens. Why should game wardens be allowed to skirt the law like they do? Why can’t we all just skirt the law?

  • Country InDistress April 27, 2015, 6:47 am

    Once upon a time, the 2nd Amendment was all one needed.

    • Steve April 28, 2015, 9:28 am

      And all that is needed today. All these laws are futile and redundant, as well as illegal.

  • Chuck April 27, 2015, 6:18 am

    I thought Criminals could not carry weapons or purchase them with the background check. If you are criminal then you have been convicted of a crime, if not you are a citizen in good standing with society until that individual proves differently.

    • Alfred Ferrara April 27, 2015, 8:46 am

      Chucks, Chucky, Chucky… sigh, Really? So you thought criminals “could not carry” guns? Not “supposed” to pass a background check? Hey Chuck, they’re CRIMINALS! If they don’t mind killing you or raping your daughter, or robbing a bank… Then they’re not above stealing some weakling Barny Pfifes sidearm on his belt! Or getting one on the black market! What color is the grass in the naive world you live in?

      • praharin April 28, 2015, 3:42 pm

        Alfred, I believe Chuck’s response would be best categorized as cynicism.

  • Gerald Robinson April 27, 2015, 4:04 am

    I have a CHL, and I don’t have a problem being stopped and checked my license. I think being checked in the interest of safety for all. We may mind being stopped at traffic check points to determine if we have a drivers license, but we comply and few of us that are legallly licensed to drive complain.

    • MSG John Laigaie April 27, 2015, 11:16 am

      You seem to have the common “sheep” mentality. Read your Constitution. Read the part about “search and seizure”. You will obey blindly because you were told to by your .gov. Sad

    • Phil April 27, 2015, 2:04 pm

      I have a huge problem with your statement. If I’m not under reasonable suspicion of having committed a crime (like speeding), then there is no reason for a “peace” officer to need anything from me. We have freedoms in this country, and we have protection against illegal searches and seizures. We are guaranteed protection from the illegal traffic checks that you mention, although they happen anyway. Be careful what you wish for, Gerald.

    • Cameron April 29, 2015, 3:56 pm

      The right to keep and bear arms is a recognized constitutional right. The biggest flaw here is the forcing of an individual to get a license to carry at all as it is their protected right.
      Driving is a priveledge and is nowhere mentioned in the constitution or the bill of rights.
      So any stop and checking of the gun constitutes an unreasonable violation of someone’s 4th amendment.

      • Evan August 22, 2016, 11:11 am

        Actually the assertion that driving is a privilege is also suspect from a constitutional perspective. Driving is a necessary element of the freedom to travel in many situations, and government restriction on the natural right of freedom to travel is also suspect. Just my two cents.

  • Tommy April 25, 2015, 6:04 pm

    I’ve spent over 30 years in law enforcement. I think that Chief Acevedo might be a little overly concerned. However, my personal view is that open carry might be an invitation to a very unpleasant surprise if you find yourself unknowingly in the presence of real bad person, particularly if he (or they) are behind you. Your situational awareness, no matter how well honed, is likely to be substantially diminished if you are walking around advertising like a highway billboard. I you don’t agree, well then, good luck to you.

    • Orlando April 27, 2015, 12:05 pm

      I think Chief Acevedo is on to something. Unlike you, I have not spent half of what you have in law enforcement but did spend eight+ years as a “Water Natzi”.
      Unfortunately, not even receiving the required hours to procure a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) prepares an individual with the training to engage themselves in a situation where firearms are introduced, not to mention any post engagement training. I happen to know individuals whom at the present time carry a CHL and a concealed handgun. In my honest opinion these individuals, because of their personalities and life styles should not be caring weapons. Would I trust them in a gun fight if they were on my side? absolutely not.
      For many this will be a way to accessorize their daily costume for the day, for others, having the biggest gun will help them with compensation issues, and then, there will be the “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. Those persons who will mix in with the crowd of lawful carriers.
      I don’t consider my self perfect by no means, and have no problem showing my credentials when asked by the “Sheep Dog”, in fact, even in civvies I would not allow my pride to get in the way or ask for professional courtesy if I allowed my-self into a less than professional situation.
      I do agree with you that situational awareness will only get people so far regardless of Navy Seal training or if you are the biggest, baddest bully on the block.
      I pray that God’s will protect those of us with the best of intentions and even those with the evilest of intentions . Keep your head on a swivel Texas, this will be a dandy.

      • Doc Holliday April 27, 2015, 12:42 pm

        Fortunately, for the rest of us, your opinion doesn’t matter. The constitution is the only thing that matters.

    • Lonnie Berry April 27, 2015, 6:34 pm

      I often carry a pistol openly but it is empty. I keep a small automatic, either .22 or .380 in my pocket. Shame on the person who grabs my open carry gun.

      • Larry April 28, 2015, 12:29 pm

        While I’m not a lawyer (god forbid) & do not play one on TV either, I wonder about the possibility of enticement.

      • bigFED December 27, 2015, 11:14 am

        First, Open carry doesn’t start until Jan 2016 so if you are open carrying in TX, you are breaking the law. Second, one STILL needs a license to carry openly or concealed! Third, you are an IDOT since in the event you ever DO need a gun, YOU DON”T HAVE ONE!!!

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