Best to keep the criminal element guessing.
Texas’ new open carry handgun law takes effect today, but concealed carriers may need to hide their weapons depending on where they’re shopping or dining.
House Bill 910 was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June and allows concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapon openly virtually anywhere. Texas’ public universities are expected to allow the open carry of handguns, but limit their use in certain buildings, such as child care centers and mental health facilities.
The law allows private college campuses to opt out of the law. The Texas Tribune reported in November that Baylor University’s President and Chancellor Ken Starr said there was “little doubt” the university would opt out the law. Baylor University has not announced an official policy regarding the open carrying of handguns, but other private universities including Rice University and Texas Christian University announced they would be opting out.
The law also allows for private businesses to prevent customers from openly carrying handguns. Whataburger was perhaps the first to announce in July it would not allow the open carrying of handguns, but said patrons with concealed carry licenses could conceal their weapons at Whataburger locations.
Then last week, H-E-B grocery stores announced it would disallow concealed license holders to openly carry.
“As a retailer of alcohol, long guns and unlicensed guns are prohibited on our property under the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission rules,” said Leslie Lockett, an H-E-B spokeswoman. “H-E-B maintains the same policy we have for years; only concealed licensed handguns are allowed on our property.”
Wal-Mart has taken things a step further and, according to spokesman Brian Nick, is allowing concealed handgun license holders to brandish their bullet bearers.
However, if customers become uncomfortable with another shopper’s openly displayed weapon, the wearer of an openly carried handgun may have to put it away.
“So if we have a customer that’s uncomfortable with the situation and makes us aware of it, we certainly reserve the right to ask an individual to put their firearm in their vehicle while they shop,” Nick said. “That’s our policy nationwide and we have had that policy in place every day. That’s no different in Texas as it is everywhere else.”
Others, such as Bob Ferrari, the decades-long owner of Ferrari-Pizza Pasta Subs on West Veterans Memorial Boulevard, said he’s happy to allow the open carrying of handguns.