It’s been three months since Texas’ Open Carry laws took effect and in that time, a number of videos have surfaced showing law enforcement arguing with citizens over the details.
The question causing the most controversy is whether or not those open carrying have to show a form of identification or permit should an officer ask.
“Law enforcement cannot stop someone just for carrying openly and demand identification or permit,” Said Lubbock Police Lt. Ray Mendoza.
Mendoza said that carrying a gun openly is legal and while he understands people’s concerns over seeing a gun out in the open, he said it is something folks might have to get used to.
” I think people need to start getting their mindset open that people are going to be open carrying,” he said. “It’s going to be a work in progress. We’re not going to go out there and try to stop anybody for practicing their rights and carrying that weapon on their hip.”