Texas Open Carry Leaders Issue Statement

Leaders of several open carry advocacy groups have issued a statement on the heels of Chipotle’s decision to ask customers to not bring firearms into their restaurant:

Come and Take It Texas, Texas Carry, Gun Rights Across America, and Open Carry Texas Joint Statement on open carry of Long Arms

Over the past year, our members have done what no other gun rights organization has been able to do – put open carry at the forefront of the fight to restore gun rights for all Texans. As we have grown, we have had to adjust our efforts based on lessons learned through hundreds of open carry events, big and small.

Looking back, it has become clear that there is one area in which we have gotten the most resistance and suffered the largest setbacks. Open carry of long arms into private businesses. This is not a new phenomenon. Early on, because of our efforts, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) sent a message to all TABC licensees warning them about allowing our members to open carry into their businesses. This resulted in places like Smashburger asking us to leave our guns at home. Since then, several restaurants (Olive Garden and Red Lobster), Starbucks, Wendy’s, Jack In The Box, Applebee’s, and as of today, Chipotle have come out asking we not carry our firearms into their establishments.

Whereas, our mission is to get open carry of handguns passed in Texas, we must once again adjust in a way that shines a positive light on our efforts, our members, and our respective organizations. We have decided the prudent path, to further our goals, is to immediately cease taking long guns into corporate businesses unless invited. Black Powder revolvers have proven to be very effective and align with our goal of legalizing open carry with a handgun. We do understand that not everyone will be able to afford one, but if you can, we are requesting you do so. Almost every leader has gone to Black powder for a reason. It works.

For all further open carry walks with long guns, the unified protocol is as follows:

1. Always notify local law enforcement the day before and the day of the walk.
2. Carry Flags and signs during your walk.
3. Carry with the long gun on your back (never in the front).
4. Do not go into corporate businesses without prior permission, preferably not at all.
5. If asked to leave, do so quietly and do not make it a problem.
6. Do not post pics if you do get permission, and are able to OC in a cooperate business.
7. Do not go into businesses with TABC signs posted with a long gun (Ever).
8. If at all possible, stay to local small businesses that are 2a friendly.

We ask that members take a step back and make an objective assessment of what we are accomplishing, and help us to get open carry passed for everyone. We must be willing and able to recognize what works and what doesn’t, but we need your help to make these efforts a success. This is the goal we are currently striving for, open carry of handguns. We know everyone is working hard for this cause. It is simply time to focus on what has been proven to work. The conversation has shifted from open carry of handguns to rifles in businesses, negating our efforts and distracting us from our mission.

We are winning! Because we are winning, we have come under increased scrutiny by media and politicians. Let’s use that spotlight, and make the most positive impact we can!

Carry on!

C.J. Grisham:  Open Carry Texas Texas
Terry Holcomb Sr.:  Texas Carry
Murdoch Pizgatti:  Carry Come And Take It – Texas
Eric Reed:  Gun Rights Across America