Armed Texans Celebrate State’s New Open-Carry Status
By DAVID MONTGOMERY

AUSTIN, Tex. — For decades, the south steps of the State Capitol have served as a staging area for rallies on issues ranging from abortion to immigration rights, but Friday was the first time that demonstrators walked around here with handguns on their hips.

On a chilly, overcast day, more than 100 Texans gathered carrying an array of holstered weaponry — Glocks, Smith & Wessons and more — to mark a change in the law that lets them openly display the fact that they are armed. The practice had been banned in Texas since 1871.

Similar demonstrations were held in several other Texas cities.

Epi Camacho, 34, a transit system driver from Dallas, was so eager to take advantage of the law that he said he arrived at the Capitol around 10:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and then symbolically unveiled his pistol — a Glock 23 — at the stroke of midnight. “It’s about time,” he said later.

More than 40 states allow some type of open carry, but Texas is now the most populous state to do so. The change affects only a small fraction of Texans — 925,000 men and women with active state-issued licenses to carry a concealed firearm. Only those with concealed-handgun permits are allowed to openly carry weapons, and all must submit their fingerprints and pass a criminal background check.

Supporters say that more public weapons will help deter would-be criminals, but opponents argue that there is no evidence that open-carry states are safer.

“What we proved is that the sight of a firearm is not something to fear in the hands of law-abiding citizens,” said C. J. Grisham, a retired Army sergeant who formed Open Carry Texas in 2013.

Some at the rally said they armed themselves to be part of the event but may not always openly display their weapons. “At times, I will,” said Armando Valladres, a first sergeant in the Army who is stationed at Fort Hood. “I just wanted to make a statement, but I’m glad I have the choice.”

Mr. Grisham carried a holstered 9-millimeter semiautomatic on his belt and a concealed pistol in an ankle holster. Nearly everyone who spoke on the Capitol steps, or gathered in the crowd, made a similar fashion statement.

“I just think it’s a step toward freedom,” said Ryan Allen, 26, a student from Longview who carried a Glock Model 20.

After the rally, the gun carriers walked about five blocks along Congress Avenue, which leads from the Capitol through downtown Austin, and had lunch at a Subway restaurant that had agreed to let them in. No counterdemonstrations were held. Many businesses were closed for New Year’s Day, and few people were downtown in a city that is normally bustling on weekdays.

西部片再現！ 德州人可攜槍逛超市

對攜槍規定寬鬆已在美國屬一屬二的德州，從元旦起，將擁槍權進一步擴大。當天生效的新法，將准許州民無論上班、購物、上餐館，都可公開佩掛放在槍套中的手槍。

不過，該公開攜槍新法准許商家或禁止他人公開攜槍，但須以英文和西班牙文在告示牌上明確標示。這是1871年以來，首度批准有持槍許可證的德州居民，可在公共場所攜帶放在槍套中的手槍。批評者擔心，西部片的場景將在德州重現。

這項公開攜槍法律早已引發是否應對德州槍枝文化設限的激辯，也是推動這些措施多年的擁槍權者的一大勝利。擁槍團體「德州公開攜槍」(Open Carry Texas)成員1日在德州奧斯汀州議會前舉行腰間配槍慶祝活動，其他團體也分別在休士頓、達拉斯等城市舉行公開亮槍的活動。

美國超過40個州准許州民有不同程度地公開攜槍，但德州是其中人口最多的州，也因其公開激辯和投票，造成對新法有人興高采烈、有人疑慮不安、有人困惑不解。

支持公開攜槍者說，此做法有助於遏阻潛在罪犯；反對者認為，警察將很難分辨誰是好人，誰是壞人，而且沒有證據足證公開攜槍的州更安全。

受此德州新法直接影響的為92萬5000名擁有州府核發攜帶夾藏槍枝執照者，在2740萬德州州民中僅占一小部分，這些取得夾藏手槍執照者都必須提供指紋，並須通過犯罪背景調查。路透報導，支持者表示，這項法律將能加強德州所有居民的公共安全。反對者則表示，民眾看到持有武器的人走在街上、公共大樓和指定商店內會被嚇到。

德州購買手槍不需要州府執照，但必須符合聯邦規定的資格。德州持槍州民若要攜帶手槍出家門，必須向德州公共安全廳申請執照，滿21歲，並須完成訓練課程和通過筆試。

新法准許商家或業主禁止他人公開攜槍，但須以英文和西班牙文公告。當地商家和餐館業者因此最近幾周忙著決定該採取什麼樣的行動，擁槍支持者則發誓，不會到任何禁止公開攜槍任何商家消費。

德州大型連鎖超市H-E-B等許多企業都表示，他們繼續允許隱藏式攜槍，但禁止公開攜槍。

原文參照：
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/us/armed-texans-celebrate-states-new-open-carry-status.html

2016-01-03 世界日報 編譯張玉琴