Why own a gun?

[Shuie]

Ive lived here since the fall of '95 which was right around the time this law went into effect. At that time New Orleans and Baton Rouge were both very high on the murder capitol/violent crime scale when compared to the rest of the country. The car jackings were completely out of control. Texas had recently passed a lot of CCW legislation and there was a lot buzz in the papers here about the positive results they were seeing.

I remember a one or two stories here right after the law passed about a few car jackers taking the big dirt nap, but I dont know the statistics. It makes perfect sense that this would make people think twice about threatening another person in a car.

Ive never had anyone approach my car in a threatening manner since I have lived here. Being aware of my surroundings is what keeps me out of these situations, not having a gun with me. Don't get me wrong, though. No matter the crime statistics, I still keep a boom stick handy just in case.

[speeder]

I don't carry a gun around, or in my car because in my experience and the experience of others where I live it is unnecessary. If I truly thought that there was a likelyhood of needing a gun, all the laws in the world could not keep me from packing.

"Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6", as the old saying goes.

I would probably never live in a place where crime was so rampant, (what kind of *****hole would that be), I'd move to the middle of nowhere first. I agree w/ Isabo, though, about the basic human right to protect one's self against anyone meaning physical harm, including a violent psychopath twice my strength who just got out of prison. Granted, that is not an everyday situation, but I'm calm as a budha knowing that in my domicile I am safe as a baby in mother's arms. Thank you Mr. Glock, wherever you are.

[targa911S]

Shuie, no you do not need a CCW to have it in your car. It MUST be secured though. In a snapped holster, in the glove box, in a zipped case, brief case,hell a shoe box but it has to have a lid. You must have to do at least one thing to get to it. That holds true even if you do have a CWP. Crazy enough though if you live in a place where you have to walk though a "common area" and don't have a CWP, you can be arrested. Example. Move the gun from the car to the apartment or VV, no CWP, you are in violation.

[targa911S]

heaven forbid you greet an intruder with a broom. At least they will have a good laugh before they kill you.

[Shuie]

boom, not broom

I used to volunteer my time in the local gun shop and I know that all of the guys who worked there carried open when they would run errands, etc, off of the property. Open carry is technically legal here. What Ive heard is that you can be cited for public intimidation or disturbing the peace, but not for carrying a weapon.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Texas is kicking around a bill that will allow citizens to carry a handgun in their vehicle without a CCW. That would be nice for me, since I'm too damn lazy to get off my butt and go get my CHL!

[jyl]

Open carry is technically legal in many places. Even where I used to live in urban SoCal, you could technically strap a pistol to your hip and walk down the street. What the police would do, though, is take you into custody as a mental case. So an officer explained to me some years ago.