Gun rights activists recently clashed with members of their own coalition over the fate of the HB 195 Open Carry Bill that will be introduced by Rep. Jonathan Strickland (R-Bedford).
Some members of the Tarant Country Open Carry chapter, headed by Kory Watkins, confronted state Representative Alfonso “Poncho” Nevarez (D-Eagle Ranch) on January 13 in his Austin office over his refusal to support the Texas state Open Carry Bill. Members of the Tarant County chapter called Nevarez a “tyrant to the Constitution” and asked him to “leave my state” after Nevarez asked the activists to leave his office. “It’s the people’s office,” was the reply of one of the activists. The group also encountered push-back from local restaurants when some members of the group entered restaurants carrying semi-automatic weapons, prompting a ban of all weapons in those restaurants.
Groups like Open Carry Texas have distanced themselves from Watkins’ organization. They are seeking to change a law which Lt. Dan Patrick has already said has little chance in passage, although public support for the measure remains high. Founder CJ Grisham said, “The (Nevarez) incident “put a bad taste in the mouth of lawmakers about open carriers.”
This turn of events, which prompted state lawmakers to vote to install panic buttons and don “I’m Poncho” stickers in support of their colleague, highlights the contradictory tactics taken by activists and could ultimately harm the cause of an open carry law in Texas—which is one of only six states to ban the displaying of personal handguns for protection.
Both groups see the potential law as a deterrent to criminal behavior. Finding the balance in public relations tactics could pave the way to move this bill forward..
“Could you imagine some of the outrage by the liberals and other people in this state, if we applied the same principles to the First Amendment that they say are reasonable for the Second Amendment?” Stickland said to the crowd gathered for the January 26 Open Carry rally in Austin. “Could you imagine what a liberal would say to you if you told them you have to take a test, pass a test, take a class and pay a fee to exercise your First Amendment rights? It’s absolutely ludicrous.”
It is important to remember that both groups are fighting for the same outcome, and the Second Amendment demands passage of this bill. Finding a compromise and continuing to lobby on the strengths of HB 195 will ultimately see its passage in Texas.
