On January 1 2016, legislation went into effect that allows CHL holders to open carry handguns in Texas where not specifically prohibited by law.
There is an important thread happening over at Fr Z’s blog about the recent statements issued by the Bishops of Tyler and Dallas on open carrying. The statement issued by Bishop Farrell is especially important to take note of because his statement is not just about open carry but about carrying at all.
Fr Z’s thread is worth a visit, a thorough read, and consideration and prayer.
The most recent update to the thread is a statement given by the Director of Communications for the Diocese of Tyler:
While we may see a wide range of policies for churches in Texas in response to the open carry law, Bishop Strickland did not feel like the “no guns” approach was the best or practical for the Diocese of Tyler. His desire is to balance the right of law-abiding individuals to defend themselves and their families, with the decorum that is appropriate for the Sacred Liturgy. Naturally, Bishop Strickland’s statement wasn’t intended to be of a juridical nature, but rather a common sense request from the Bishop to his flock as Texans acclimate themselves to the new law.
Peyton Low
Director of Communications
Diocese of Tyler
http://www.dioceseoftyler.org
Personally, I am not in favor of open carry during Mass. (In general I believe it is more prudent for CHL holders to conceal carry rather than open carry for tactical advantage reasons, but this is getting off-track just a bit and could be a post in and of itself). I believe open carry during Mass would be a distraction to others, and, depending on how tightly packed in you are in your pews, it could be a safety issue. You should see how packed our parish is on Sundays! Our ushers are experts at squeezing us in the pews like sardines, and sometimes people are still standing along the side and back walls because there is no pew space left.
Now, I am absolutely in favor of conceal carrying during Mass. Some churches are not in the best neighborhoods, and unfortunately we live in a world where a “gun free zone” is not actually a safer place but rather it is an easier target. Fathers have a right and responsibility to protect their families, and allowing CHL holders to at least conceal carry makes churches safer environments (instead of easy targets).
Do you live in Texas? What are your thoughts on this issue?