texas

North Texas Businesses Unprepared for Open Carry

The new open carry law in Texas begins in less than a month – on Jan. 1, 2016 – and a large number of North Texas businesses say they aren't ready for the day.

"Oh, I think there are a massive amount of uneducated business owners out there that don't know what's coming January 1st," said David Prince, of Eagle Gun Range in Lewisville. "I think they're going to get a big surprise on Jan. 1 when someone walks in with a pistol on their hip without a badge."

Under the new law, anyone with a concealed handgun license will be able to openly carry a gun in public.

If establishments do not want that to happen, they have to post specific signs in their front windows.

The first is a 30.07 notice, which will not allow someone to open carry in their building.

If a business owner doesn't want any guns in his or her establishment, including concealed weapons, they must post two signs: the 30.07 and 30.06.

On each sign, the wording must be specific and printed in contrasting colors, with the text provided in both Spanish and English and the font must be at least one-inch high. Plus, the signs must be conspicuously placed near the business entrance.

Several businesses who spoke to NBC 5 said they had no idea about needing the signs.

"Just get educated. This is your business and you have the right to make that decision," said Prince. "We have the right and privilege to carry guns in the United States. We feel it's our own rights and a privilege, but for every privilege comes responsibility. We want people to be responsible."

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