Open Carry Texas Group Calls Off March In Predominantly Black Neighborhood

Stephanie McDonald and James Franklin buy coffee at the Ground Floor on Wall Street while participating in an open carry demonstration Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. "We want to educate the public concerning our legal right... Stephanie McDonald and James Franklin buy coffee at the Ground Floor on Wall Street while participating in an open carry demonstration Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013. "We want to educate the public concerning our legal rights and help people become accustomed to the idea of responsible people carrying firearms," said Franklin. (AP Photo/Midland Reporter-Telegram, James Durbin) MORE LESS
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A predominantly black neighborhood in Houston has gotten a temporary reprieve from having a group of armed gun enthusiasts pay the area a visit.

The Houston chapter of Open Carry Texas called off a “walk” that was planned for this past Sunday in the city’s Fifth Ward because an organizer was scheduled to attend a separate demonstration in another community. It would have doubled as a canned food drive.

Previously, organizers encouraged supporters on Facebook to “make this a big event.”

“Let’s once again show that gun rights belong to all,” they said.

David Amad, a member of Open Carry Texas, told a blogger at the Houston Press newspaper that the group will use the extra time to communicate with Fifth Ward residents before the food drive is rescheduled.

“If you go marching through the Fifth Ward like a bunch of stuffy old white boys carrying guns and spitting tobacco you’ll get a bad response, but if you go in there talking to people like human beings and explain what you’re doing, the response will be different,” Amad said.

It’s already been a month of awful press for Open Carry Texas. The group’s stunts at various chain restaurants prompted Chipotle to ask customers to leave their weapons at home. Even the National Rifle Association called the group’s demonstrations “weird” and “scary.” The pro-gun lobby ultimately walked that criticism back after Open Carry Texas members cut up their NRA member cards in protest.

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