Not so open to ‘open carry’

State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, would have you believe the overwhelming majority of Texans support the unlicensed open carry of handguns, what some call “constitutional carry.”

Stickland introduced a measure earlier this year that would remove licensing restrictions on Texans wishing to carry handguns, concealed or openly.

“Texas is behind on gun rights and people are demanding action,” said Stickland in January.

But a new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll says those people are relatively few — only 10 percent of Texans support unlicensed open carry.

In fact, a plurality of Texans, the study of 1,200 randomly surveyed Texas voters found, prefer the status quo, licensed concealed carry of handguns.

Another 22 percent favor open carry, but only for those with licenses. About 23 percent believe Texans should never be allowed to carry a gun in public.

Party affiliation is a significant factor in one’s views on open carry. Even so, half of Republicans prefer concealed licensed carry. Jim Henson, one of the poll directors, told the Tribune, “Unlicensed open carry is a starkly minority position,”

Someone should tell Stickland.

This story was originally published February 24, 2015 at 5:46 PM with the headline "Not so open to ‘open carry’."