E. Texas counties, cities, prepping for Open Carry

SMITH COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - East Texas counties and cities are preparing now for when Texas Open Carry becomes legal next year.

The city of Longview, for example, is prepping its employees for the new laws. And Smith County officials are working to address the safety concerns in their buildings while protecting the rights of gun owners, officials say..

Smith County Commissioner Jeff Warr says new policies in certain county buildings may also be on the way.

"We just don't want to revert back to the wild wild west. But we want to be smart and protect people's rights," Warr said.

On Tuesday morning, all of the Smith County commissioners will hear information about what county buildings the public can openly carry in.

Warr says since courtrooms are exempt from open carry, buildings like the Smith County Courthouse Annex or the Cotton Belt building may need specific policies.

"Is it just the court or is it also that hall area that is also open carry? Then also some other offices so that's what we are trying to get some clarification so we can protect everyone's rights," Warr said.

Depending upon what is decided by the state, there could be more security measures.

"I could foresee that it could create some issues with dual screening. Some areas of a building may be screened some may not be screened," Warr said.

Monday in Longview, the Parks and Recreation board met to address the issue of open carry in city parks.

"There are many places around the country where it's already been implemented and there are very few issues from what I understand," said Director of Longview Parks and Recreation, Scott Caron.

Caron says the city has a firearms ordinance in place, and they plan to educate city employees.

"So when they are approached about these types of issues, they can address it appropriately," Caron said.

Caron says open carry will soon be the new normal.

"It's going to take adjusting from everybody's standpoint," Caron said.

According to Longview officials, open government meetings will also need to have the proper signage to prohibit open carry.

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