H.E.B. WILL NOT ALLOW ‘OPEN CARRY’
When the open carry law goes into effect next year, Texas supermarket giant H-E-B will not allow visible handguns in its stores.
The law, which was passed in June and is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, allows those with licenses to carry handguns visibly. Business owners can ban open carry in stores by posting a sign near the entrance.
H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos said in an email that the grocery chain "maintains the same policy we have for years."
Campos said, because the San Antonio-based company sells alcohol, long guns and unlicensed guns are banned on its properties under the rules of the Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission.
H-E-B did not make a public announcement of its response to the open carry law.
San Antonio-based Whataburger is an exception: In July, the burger chain announced that it will not allow customers to openly carry firearms in its restaurants.
On Thursday, warning signs popped up at H-E-B stores in San Antonio, Houston and The Woodlands, among others. They said visitors could not enter with an openly carried handgun.
I have no problem with open carry, but it’s not for me. While there is a good argument for it as a deterrent, for the determined criminal it may just make that person a “first target”. I also agree with a previous poster that many who want to open carry just want the attention. I cannot see any reason to carry a long gun in public, other than to draw attention. But, I still believe that to outlaw such a thing is an infringement of rights.
I got my CHL as soon as I turned 21, and kick myself if I ever leave home without my handgun. But I would never carry it openly except for convenience and comfort around people I trust. In my humble opinion, the only advantage open carry has over concealed (in a public place mind you, it does get points for comfort if you’re around the house.) is the show-off factor – if that can be considered an advantage at all. Carrying concealed means that you can have a holster designed to get the gun out and aimed as quickly as possible. Any holster like that carried openly comes with the huge risk of someone else getting a hold of your gun, and a holster designed to keep that from happening wouldn’t deploy quickly enough when you need it most.
As for me, I’ll still be packing heat wherever the law allows, and I understand HEB’s decision to keep their store’s atmosphere a safe and friendly one.
Open carriers and those that protested for it have and will further the stereotype of gunowners as mentally unstable and confrontational in nature. I agree with the poster above, those who open carry in public are likely looking for unnecessary attention. A very dangerous thing likely to get someone killed and the shooter sued.
Concealed carry offers a huge advantage over open carry, criminals can’t see your weapon! If you are confronted by an armed criminal who sees your weapon first, you are likely to end up incapacitated or dead before you can defend yourself. Open carrying brings attention to yourself and makes you the first target of a shooter. By being observant, concealed carry gives you, not the criminal, the element of surprise.
And as mother, I will defend myself, my family, and others with my concealed handgun. I don’t need to show it off- it’s there if, and when it’s needed. You’re welcome.
Knowing I am in a minority in this statement, “thanks to HEB for having good sense”. Hopefully many more will follow suit. I am not anti – hunting gun ownership and it is our right to bear those arms. This law that was passed by a more or less one party state house, was vote pandering to the paranoid population that is easily influenced thru social media fear mongering. This same group also uses the bible selectively to support the erosion of the founding principles and laws of this nation. Let me remind them that this essential text tells them repeatedly to “fear not”. In comparison to many major countries thru out the world, we are still young and have much to learn, and our constitution will assure that we prevail.
The “essential text” you refer to also says that if a man has no sword let him sell his cloak and buy one. As for the fear mongering, the same old blood in the streets and law enforcement less safe arguments were made when concealed carry was opposed by the minority party then as is now. The lessons learned from the “major countries” are the reason we have the Constitution guaranteeing the rights of the individual above that of the state. If you don’t want to concealed or open carry, it’s your choice. Just don’t let your fears and common sense gun laws interfere with other folks rights.
“Constitution guaranteeing the rights of the individual above that of the state.”
It’s a privilege that you allow the state to give you, it’s not a right when you have to have the permission from the government to bear arms.
As far as H.E.B. making that decision, that’s is there call since it’s a private business they have every right to say no. Is someone afraid they might get mugged in the produce section?
Starting in January I’m going to be taking pictures of people that open carry and post their information and picture on the net. I believe the World should see who carries guns in Texas.
A privilege? The Bill of Privileges? A new one on me.
Perhaps your attorney can better explain all of it to you when you get sued in February for your January photography campaign.
KA- Good question- sadly, looks like the Constitution is in trouble.
JD – that can get you in legal trouble, and regardless, open carry means people will see the weapons.
But will our Constitution prevail ?