The new Texas open carry law went into effect as of yesterday, January 1, 2016.  If you don’t know this, you haven’t paid attention to the news. News coverage has been more widespread than for any recent state-level gun law that I can remember, with every major media outlet, print and broadcast, carrying stories on the law.

Many reports express breathless worry for public safety, citizens being “uncomfortable” at the sight of a holstered handgun, or increases in crime.  NBC News, for example, exclaims that the “Controversial Open Carry Texas Gun Law Divides State.”  (This is foolish and meaningless on its face; what meaningful law does not “divide” some portion of the population effected.)

Texas is now the 45^th state to allow open carry of handguns – a steep majority indeed.  In other words, only five states (California, Florida, New York, Illinois and South Carolina) do not allow the practice.  With 44 states already allowing open carry, is it such big news that a 45^th has done so?  Some states provide for “constitutional carry,” i.e., open and concealed carry without a state license.  So why the fuss over Texas?  From the news stories themselves, the concern is simply over the fact that Texas is now the most populous state to allow open carry.

I’ve got news for them all: not one single Texan who was not allowed to carry a gun on December 31 will be allowed to do so on January 1.  The number of citizens licensed to carry did not increase by the law’s passing or its implementation.  The law allows only those who possess a valid Texas concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry openly, and then only in a belt or shoulder holster.  (According to the Houston Chronicle, only 4% of the Texas population holds a CHL.)  If you see someone carrying a handgun openly today, odds are high that that person was carrying a handgun before Saturday, only not openly.  Armed all the same.

Another reason the attention is foolish: according to crime details from the Texas Department of Public Safety (latest statistics are from 2013), Texans holding CHLs commit violent, gun-related crimes at remarkably low rates.  Anyone wishing to be safe would, by the evidence, wish to be in the company of licensed gun carriers.

As someone who has had a CHL for years, and often carries concealed, I can attest that my reasons for carrying have not changed.  I do not feel more aggressive or violent; indeed, I feel the same hope for peace and goodwill as I felt a few days ago.

I have spent much time in states that allow open carry, and have encountered and spoken with people carrying openly.  They have not frightened or threatened me at all.  In fact, I have found the practice rather encouraging, that such freedom still exists.  Even in states more pro-gun than Texas, such as Arizona, Wyoming and Montana, the practice is still uncommon.  I expect that will be the case in Texas, also.  Every CHL holder I have spoken with says they intend to continue carrying concealed in most situations; I expect to do the same.

Within a few weeks and months I further expect that the fear, trepidation and warnings will all prove unwarranted.  I felt the same last spring when the media were warning of violence, protests and anti-government riots prior to the Jade Helm military exercises.  (An acquaintance of mine foolishly claimed that Texans were exhibiting “mass hysteria” over JH.)  Nothing of the sort took place.  Texans are sensible, reasonable people.  We shall show those who doubt us, and those in states who seek to restrict gun ownership, that we are, as I often claim, more than responsible with our freedoms.  I am glad we elected a legislature which is beginning to act in such knowledge.