Very sorry to hear about your brother. I felt the same way about Alabama when my father died and I went back for the funeral. I haven't set foot in the state since 1998 and never will again. If my kids and grandkids weren't here in Texas, I wouldn't be here!

@Redheadedgammy Funny but yesterday was a gym day and one of the workers is a friend who is a retired cop from Dallass. We got to talking and he told me he is a big antique gun collector and once dissembled, cleaned and reassembled 25 guns in one day. He is a great guy and volunteers for many groups including meals on wheels and I respect him a lot. He said in Texas to get a handgun permit one needs to get a background check (which may take days) take an 8 hour instruction and pass a test at a firing range. Here in Washington one only needs to fill out some papers and get a background check and nothing more. He said there is a young guy, with a criminal background but who has an old handgun that he carries openly. We are an open carry state and this guy has been seen in the grocery store and on the ferry with his weapon.
I was really surprised at his information. Believe me he does not try to glorify Texass and he left for a reason.

BTW we left Dallas in 1960 and I have never lived there since. Most of my family still does.