Very soon Texas will become the next state to adopt constitutional or permitless carry. Despite what some are claiming, the changes to our landscape are great and looking to get better with Constitutional Carry.

Stay In Your Lane

Constitutional carry is something I believe all states should support. Not all states do and I’m okay with their choice. I’m not about to interject my nose in another state’s business, just like I’d expect them to keep their nose out of mine. The biggest concern is states need to get back to governing themselves. Constitutional carry is a great example of that notion. I don’t believe federal constitutional carry is a good idea for the same reason I don’t think a federal driver’s license is a good idea. The federal government needs less control, not more. Putting the decision back in the states makes the most sense. Local politics are the key to safeguarding life, liberty and the pursuit of happniness.

The Right To An Informed Opinion

We have decades of living with concealed carry across our nation. The death and destruction landscape the anti-gun think tank tried to convince the public of failed. Outside of an infantile number of incidents the public is safe from this negative opinion. The reality is more guns save lives. If I have to explain how violent criminals choose the time and place to commit their crimes it makes it really hard to expect you to understand what I’m saying in the first place. The right to life is one of the most important rights we get to experience. Nobody should tell someone they do not have the right to defend themselves. Defending oneself with a firearm has been proven countless times to be a game changer for all walks of life.

The Constitution Is My LTC

What does this mean when constitutional carry takes affect? What will change? To be honest not a lot. It means you will not be required to obtain a License to Carry (LTC) to carry a firearm. The state will recognize the Constitution as your carry permit. A huge win in my opinion. However, the small print is often overlooked. In this case, there are some things you need to be aware of that can save you a lot of heartache. The three things are where you can/cannot carry, what is the law and what is your responsibility. I could go into detail about each of these points, or I could encourage you to obtain your LTC. I’m far more inclined to suggest the later and here is why.

Conversation Level Of The Law

Obtaining an LTC will provide you with the opprotunty to become familiar with the law. Not just where you can and cannot carry, but deadly force and the use of deadly force. I strongly encourage you to have a conversation level of the law. While it is now your right to carry, like any right it comes with responsibility. Another advantage to your LTC is being able to purchase a firearm. Possession of a valid LTC allows you to forgo the background check since obtaining the LTC requried the background check be completed and passed. A handy option for desparate times such as a pandemic. Another advantage is while there are many state adopting constitutional carry, it is for their citizens only. If you travel out of your home state, you may not be covered. So, knowing the law in the visiting state is important and you may discover the state recognizes your home state’s LTC.

The Importance Of Continued Education

As we see less barriers to people carrying firearms we will see more responsibility placed on their shoulders. You may never carry, use or need your firearm, but you have it just like the fire extinguisher in your home. What you want to avoid is in the middle of a kitchen fire trying to figure out how to use your fire extinguisher. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of firearm education and the accompanying training. My recommendation is to continue to learn as much as you can about your firearm, how it works and of course how to shoot it safely. As a die hard advocate of your own personal choice, I would hope you recongize the importance behind being competent and safe. There are so many options available these days. It merely takes a commitment from your part.

I’m excited about the new law taking effect for many reasons. The biggest reason being it is not a right if you have to ask permission.

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Good Enough

The vast majority of new applicants seem to be good enough shots in the eyes of Texas. While not a perfect system, the shooting test is a fair assessment. Totaling 50 rounds and fired from the 3yd, 7yd and 15yd lines it is a good distribution. There is 80% of the rounds are fired from inside the 7yd line, leaving only 20% at the 15yd line. Again, a pretty good cross section of typical engagement distance. What makes it a bit challenging are the par times. Most have not been exposed to par times and it seems to create a high level of anxiety.

Dance With The One You Brought

Many of the firearms brought to the test would easily be considered solid or good choices. Only a handful would be suspect. It doesn’t matter because it is what they have so you dance with the one you brought. If your handgun hiccups for any reason there are no alibis so that helps to drive the point of being smart in your decision. The biggest challenge I see too many of the new shooters is two fold. First, basic gun operation and then basic marksmanship. While the 3yd is a realistic engagement distance you see a lot of folks get by with poor marksmanship skills. Sometimes, they just need to warm up. The test begins at close range giving them a few Mulligans. The difficulty really begins when they get to the 7yd line.

The Realities Of Distance

Once at the 7yd line you can get a better understanding of their marksmanship skills. While the target zone is pretty generous the misses start to add up especially on the multiple round courses of fire. The average student is generating enough hits up to this point they can miss the target completely at the 15yd line and still pass the test. While not encouraged, it is a reality. It should come as no surprise most shots off the target come at this distance. If they can manage at least two or three hits at the 15yd line they have pretty much ensured a passing score.

To Drive A Car Or Not

Why do people fail this test then? The biggest reason is lack of marksmanship skills. I mean an almost zero percent understanding of marksmanship skills. There have been about a half dozen people who have never handled, much less fired a handgun. Most with a modicum of marksmanship skills will do well enough. The next reason is change of heart. Deciding at the last minute to bring a different handgun. A couple of the failures fall into this category and they regretted changing their minds. The last is wrong handgun selection. This can go both too big or too small. A couple of guns were too powerful for the student and one was too small to allow for a good grip. If these mistakes can be avoided then obtaining the minimum passing score is within just about everyone capable of driving a car.

Of course, we would like to see more skill demonstrated, but this is the minimum. What we all hope is the new shooters will become even more invested in their safety by including education and training.

A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals. Larry Bird, NBA Champion and Hall of Fame

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