Texas is a handgun open carry state if you have a permit. In order to get a permit you have to take four hours of classroom instruction and then go out to the range and demonstrate your shooting on a rather simple course. Basically, you shoot at human silhouette targets at 3, 7 and 15 yards. For an experienced shooter (me, for example) the qualification is very easy. For others (male and female) the shooting is a challenge. But, everybody in our class passed the written test and the shooting test. You also have to pass a background check and provide fingerprints. So when my license arrives, I can pack heat when I so desire. There are restrictions on where I can go. Anyway, I am not sure that carrying a pistol around is in the cards for me. Maybe once just to say I did it.

With this license, you do have the option to carry a concealed pistol. Our instructor said that he never open carries, but always has a concealed carry. Not sure how all this is going to pan out for me. My pistols are way too big for a concealed carry. Guess I am going to have to ask Ginny if I can get a new pistol ("Honest, Honey, it will be the last one I ever buy")