Topic: Open Carry

While 10,000 people in Vienna protest coronavirus restrictions and call for the government to resign, the hosts note a lack of similar public resistance in the United States. An anecdote about a camping trip in Mendocino highlights how social pressure leads to compliance with outdoor mask-wearing even in isolated environments.

A discussion of concealed carry maps reveals that permits from states like Oregon have almost no reciprocity, while Texas permits are widely accepted. A new legal controversy has emerged regarding whether it is legal to wear a COVID-19 mask while carrying a concealed weapon, as masks are traditionally associated with criminal intent. The hosts also clarify the specific rules for open carry in Texas.

A Black Lives Matter protest in Austin, Texas, ended in a fatal shooting after Garrett Foster, who was carrying an AR-15, was shot by a driver. The incident is discussed in the context of Texas "Stand Your Ground" laws and the theory that an armed society remains more polite and less prone to the sustained rioting seen in Portland. Despite media attempts to stoke further unrest, the city remained relatively peaceful following the event.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss the social pressure and coercion surrounding mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Curry suggests that while he finds masks frustrating, he is willing to wear one if it allows society to reopen, though he plans to counter the "virtue signaling" by open carrying a firearm in Texas. The conversation touches on the different social dynamics in Austin compared to the rest of the state and the upcoming reopening of Italy.

In Texas, "traveling economic militias" are reportedly standing guard outside businesses that choose to reopen in defiance of local orders, using their right to open carry as a deterrent. Contrastingly, the hosts point to New Zealand, where a new bill allows police to enter homes without a warrant following the country's recent gun confiscation measures.

The TSA reported a record number of firearms discovered at airport checkpoints, with many passengers claiming they simply forgot the weapons were in their luggage. Notable incidents include an American Idol winner caught with a loaded handgun at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Senator Dianne Feinstein is promoting the "terrorist loophole" as a new gun control meme, replacing the "gun show loophole." In other news, Oakland is ranked as one of the most violent cities in the U.S., leading to outside analysis of police behavior. The hosts suggest that LGBTQ individuals in Austin should utilize open carry laws to protect their own clubs.

Adam Curry proposes that white "open carry" advocates should support Black Lives Matter protesters to demonstrate a unified front against tyrannical government. He argues that if the militia movement is truly about protecting all citizens' rights, they should appear at protests in places like Ferguson. This "calm response" from the government toward white protesters should be the standard for all Americans regardless of race.

Texas officially implemented its open carry law on January 1, 2016, allowing licensed gun owners to visibly carry holstered handguns in public. While supporters argue the law increases safety, private businesses like Whole Foods have opted out by posting specific signage. The law still prohibits firearms in schools and courthouses.

University of North Dakota philosophy professor Jack Russell Weinstein proposed a controversial "solution" to open carry activists in restaurants. He suggests that patrons who feel threatened by armed individuals should be morally permitted to leave without paying their bill. Critics label this as premeditated theft and an encouragement of scofflaw behavior among Millennials.

CBS News features an unusual editorial segment by Larry Pratt of Gun Owners of America, who argues that "gun-free zones" are the primary cause of mass murders. Pratt advocates for national concealed carry reciprocity, comparing it to a driver's license. The hosts also discuss the upcoming implementation of open carry laws in Texas, set to take effect on January 1, 2016.

The Texas Senate passed an open carry law which Governor Greg Abbott has pledged to sign. A key amendment to the bill forbids police from questioning individuals solely for carrying a firearm openly without other reasonable suspicion of a crime. While 45 states have similar laws, the hosts anticipate a cultural shift in retail environments like Whole Foods once the law takes effect.

The Texas Senate has passed legislation allowing for the open carry of handguns for those who possess a concealed carry permit. The hosts clarify that while long guns were already legal to carry openly, this new bill extends the right to semi-automatic handguns. They discuss the cultural implications of "exercising the second amendment" in public spaces like Whole Foods.

Adam Curry describes witnessing the inauguration parade for Texas Governor Greg Abbott in Austin. The event featured a heavy military presence, open-carry participants, and floats celebrating the Texas oil industry. The discussion touches on the local legacy of Lyndon B. Johnson and the Ann Richards Bridge.

Greg Abbott defeated Wendy Davis in the Texas gubernatorial race by a historic margin. The hosts discuss Abbott's campaign promise to sign a legal open carry bill for the state. Adam Curry jokes about wearing a "Judge" revolver to spin class to test the new political climate in Austin.