An "open carry" law passed in Texas and took effect on Jan. 1, now allowing licensed citizens to carry a holstered pistol in public for the first time since 1871. As a state of 27 million people, the law makes Texas the most-populous U.S. state that allows "open carry" of handguns, according to Reuters on MSN.
Supporters believe that the "open carry" will help with public safety, while those that oppose it bank on the argument that seeing armed people in the streets could cause panic.
However, North Richland Hills Police Department officials have already taken action regarding the issue on the possibility of public panic and have been doing community outreach to cater to questions of the citizens, as well as help them prepare for the law.
"The anxieties that we're hearing and seeing amongst the public are the same ones that were around 20 years ago when the concealed handgun license first began," said Sgt. Mickey Shelley, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. "I imagine that those anxieties will disperse just like it did 20 years ago."
The Texas police department held a public meeting regarding the new law, and the FAQ's of that meeting can be read on the police department's website.
On Twitter, an #opencarryaware campaign has also been started to explain to citizens when to call 911 in case of an encounter with a person that is openly carrying a hand gun. The campaign is paired with the video below:
