"Open Carry" Campaign Takes Aim at Texas

[Smokepole]

"Texas is probably the most pro-gun state, but does not have any open carry laws " (http://www.kxxv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9440149)

"Open Carry" Campaign Takes Aim at Texas

Posted: Dec 1, 2008 07:38 PM EST

By Kim Wynne

KILLEEN - Gun rights supporters are asking state lawmakers to pass an "open carry" law, making it legal for Texans to carry their handguns in plain sight.

The campaign will go into full force Tuesday, launching billboards, banners, and radio ads throughout the state.

The controversial campaign has turned thousands into believers. About 28,000 people have already signed a petition on the campaign's website, opencarry.org, in favor of the legislation.

"Texas is probably the most pro-gun state, but does not have any open carry laws " said Mike Stollenwerk, co-founder of the campaign, in an article to the Star-Telegram.

"As Texans realize how restrictive their laws are, there will be an awakening," said Stollenwerk.

The push to pass "open carry" legislation has been met with opposition.

Groups like Texans for Gun Safety say "open carry" laws would be like a "return to the wild west."

For the past 15 years, the state has been under a concealed-carry law, making it legal to carry a gun in public as long as it is not in plain view.

[Venator12]

"Texas is probably the most pro-gun state, but does not have any open carry laws " (http://www.kxxv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9440149)
Is this the article you linked to?
Associated Press - November 30, 2008 1:25 PM ET

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Saying Texas firearm laws are overly restrictive, a group of gun advocates is lobbying state lawmakers to permit wearing handguns in plain view.

With the legislative session scheduled to begin in January, supporters of "open-carry laws" have placed ads on billboards in Houston and San Antonio and on taxis in Austin.

The Texas campaign is expected to intensify Tuesday with a radio message in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. The ad says, "We don't hide our colors, do we?" and encourages Texans to sign an online petition asking lawmakers to make Texas a place where people can openly wear their guns. More than 28,000 people have signed it so far.

Texas is 1 of 6 states - along with New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida and South Carolina - in which handguns can't be worn in plain view. The other 44 states, in the parlance of gun advocates, are known as "open-carry" states.