Texas Veteran Warns Open Carry Could Trigger PTSD

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ODESSA, Texas (Local 2 News)

One veteran asking local businesses to rethink open carry in their establishments.

Veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder may be sensitive to certain triggers which remind them of life on the battle field.

For Art Leal, he wants people to know one trigger could be a gun. He explains now that the state passed open carry, some could suffer in silence.

"A lot of times the gun itself will stress the veteran," Leal said.

Experts say one in five veterans experience PTSD after the battlefield.

"They have rapid heart beat, they feel very anxious and can't function," Leal said.

Leal served in the U.S. Army for eight years, now he tells us he suffers from PTSD and explains weapons in plain sight could bring back undesirable memories.

"Many vets go into a restaurant and they're already on hyper alert," Leal said. "They'll sit at the furthest end of the room making sure they have a clear view of the exit."

Leal says combining a gun with their already uncomfortable feelings could negatively impact the vet.

"Adding an open carry individual; coming in the veteran doesn't know who they are or what their intentions are," Leal said.

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