What do you think of Open Carry Texas and other gun groups trying to carry firearm in public places?

Three things.
Thing the first, I fully support the second amendment right to keep and bear arms. It is not the right to do so only if not seen. That would be like "the right to free speech, but only in nobody hears you." I fully support open carry. It SHOULD be socially acceptable.

Thing the second, I fully support private property. Not only does this mean you can OWN whatever property you desire, it also means that the owners of that property are free to allow or disallow whatever behavior they chose (within adjudicated limits). This means I fully support the right of property owners to ban guns on their property/business. Similarly, I support your right to free speech, but I will happily curtail it in my living room and invite you to leave if you go past the bounds of decency.

Thing the third, "because I can" doesn't mean "I should." I support the general effort of open carry activists. Exercising your constitutional rights shouldn't be something you have to do in secret. Since there is a phobia (and we could argue reasons until the cows come home) among a large percentage of the population, it makes sense to try to show that you can carry a gun openly, without being a weirdo. It drives a needed conversation. However, there is a line between "making a point" and "being a d*&k." Unfortunately a small percentage of activists fall - or jump - into this category and make the rest look bad, creating opposition where there need not be any. Pun only slightly intended, they are guilty of self-inflicted GSWs to the movement.

Prime example: Starbucks had a very sane policy - "We support our customers following the law. We have no policy for or against open carry." [paraphased] They maintained this in the face of anti-gun group lobbying efforts. A HUGE win. It was pissed away by "National Starbucks Day" [or whatever it was called] morons gloating and insisting on taunting SBUX customers. Now starbucks has a "please don't" policy. (Note: They have not BANNED guns, just requested so far. Remarkable restraint). Same thing with Chipotle and the current spat.

If the open carry advocates hadn't had such a big chip on their shoulders....

You hit the nail on the head - these people are LOOKING for attention, and then complain when they get the type of attention that they know they're going to get. Seriously, I have multiple guns in my home and am a big supporter of the right to own and concealed carry. But do you think I want to take my kid up for ice cream and have jackasses walking around with AR-15s strapped to their backs? These are idiots with nothing better to do who are looking for someone to challenge them so that they can throw their opinions into other people's faces.

I am all for open carry, and concealed carry. My reason is personal and societal protection. In places where everyone is armed, or is assumed to be armed it seems like crime (violent crime) is a little lower. Not too many people are going to try and rape or mug someone who might have a weapon. I don't have evidence of this, but that is my personal feeling.

My initial response to this post was:
"If you don't like it, stay the hell out of TEXAS!" but then the Lord spoke to me and said that's the chip on the shoulder LTC Stoneking is referring to so I need to mind my manners.

In regards to your comment about "negligent discharges, confrontation, lack of training, and knowledge of weapons", excuse me SFC Spinks but where Im from in TEXAS the boys could handle a firearm better than an infantryman by the time they were 13.

Ok fine you got us on the "confrontation" part lol...

Only thing I want to point out is that you reference all those countries as having high homicide rates..... Have you researched any of the American homicide rates? Some of the City specific rates just might grab your attention.

If you need to carry an AR-15 to get a burger, you're either really paranoid or a complete moron. I own guns and used to conceal carry when I was in a state that allowed, but I would NEVER open carry - especially in a restaurant where others might not share my love of guns, and ESPECIALLY not something like an AR15 or shotgun. And if you think about it, and AR15 is about the WORST thing you can have for close contact protection. At least a shotgun makes a little sense.

The concept of open cary doesn't bother me in the least. It's the way that it's being done that gets stuck in my craw. The picture above is a bit over the top. I don't have an issue with someone in open cary with a typical sidearm. Think Glock 27 or something. Carying around a semi-auto short rifle painted like you're going to a patriotic gay-rights parade is garish and unecessary. If it's about protection, make it about protection...not about your ability to cary around a long rifle.

You hit the nail on the head - these people are LOOKING for attention. Doing Open Carry in an urban setting alarms the public and defeats the purpose of the legally Armed American. I was stationed in and vacation in SE Alaska where it is NOT unusual to see someone with a 44Mag on their hip or walking with a 12GA or 300WinMag. Difference is it is a rural setting with LARGE 800LB+ bears roaming the streets. Be Appropriate to your surroundings!!

OK, I gotta weigh in on this one.....

Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah have some of the lowest crime rates in the country and always have had. If someone wants to do bad things in these states, chances are real good that at least 40% of the people in the area are armed (legally and not). We carry concealed, openly, in vehicles, on ATV's, in boats....you get the picture. Even when someone who doesn't have a CWL gets involved in a firearms situation..... we seldom prosecute or even arrest them. I know of several incidents where armed store owners chased the bad guy down (outside the store) and "stopped" him. Even Grand Jury's don't touch those and if the Prosecuting Attorney (District Attorney) wants to get re-elected, they won't push it. We just let nature take it's course and don't push it into a national incident.

Best advise...... don't over think this issue. Let the States involved handle it.

I conceal carry rather than open because it gives the armed person a clear advantage. I've never been approached, so I must be doing it right.
I don't mind people who open carry long guns or hand guns so long as maintain respect for others and always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.