Local ‘Open Carry Texas’ Group Demonstrates on Richmond Road

Today the local chapter of "Open Carry Texas" is out raising awareness to the firearms laws in Texas at the intersection of Richmond Rd. and Gibson.

The local chapter is hoping to help raise awareness to the current laws, and rally support for the cause and boost membership in the local chapter of O.C.T..

Chapter member Jeff Stinson said,

Locally there are a little more than 200 members, and we are hoping to increase those numbers, by raising awareness"

OCT member Anthony LaDuke, in town for the rally from Ore City said,

The organization is growing everyday and currently Open Carry Texas has 20,000+ members."

The Local Chapter of O.C.T. has a Facebook Group that can give you more info on becoming a member of the local chapter or get more information at the group's Website.

From the Texarkana Chapter's Facebook Group,

Open Carry Texas (OCT) is an organization dedicated to the safe and legal carry of firearms openly in the State of Texas in accordance with the United States and Texas Constitution and applicable laws.

Our purpose is to 1) educate all Texans about their right to openly carry rifles and shotguns in a safe manner; 2) to condition Texans to feel safe around law-abiding citizens that choose to carry them; 3) encourage our elected officials to pass less restrictive open carry legislation; and (4) foster a cooperative relationship with local law enforcement in the furtherance of these goals with an eye towards preventing negative encounters."

(In the time I stopped to visit with these men, and women quite a few Texarkana Texas Police Cruisers passed by and hardly gave the members a second look. I took that as positive. I don't necessarily agree with carrying rifles around, but support the right to do so legally.)