Rep. Steve Martin: He says in 17 years, the state has had no problems with a concealed weapons law; the same should be the case with open carry.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Licensed Oklahomans would be able to carry holstered firearms openly under a bill passed Wednesday by the Oklahoma House.
The proposal would essentially extend the state's current concealed weapon permit law to include guns carried visibly in belt or shoulder holsters.
To qualify for a license under the law, a person must be a U.S. citizen, live in the state, be at least 21, complete a firearms safety and training course, pass a criminal records check, be fingerprinted and pay fees.
The measure, written by Rep. Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville, passed on a 85-9 vote. It goes on to the state Senate for consideration.
In 17 years, the state has had no problems with the concealed weapons law, and the same should be the case with the open carry law, Martin said.
"I would have thought by now somebody would have messed up," Martin said. "So it's further evidence that law-abiding citizens in possession of firearms do not add to the total danger."
The bill would allow police officers to ask people they see carrying a weapon to prove that they are licensed to do so but would not allow officers to disarm those people unless they are committing some other crime.
Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, suggested seeing people walking around with firearms might cause anxiety for ordinary citizens and asked if there was any way they would be able to determine if an armed person was licensed or not.
Martin said that isn't covered by the law, but "I suppose you could ask."
The bill would require licensees to alert a police officer "at the first opportunity" if they are pulled over while carrying a firearm.
As with the concealed weapon law, there are many places where licensed guns could not be taken, including many government buildings, government meetings, prisons, jails, elementary or secondary schools, professional sporting events or pari-mutuel gaming facilities.
The law allows people - with or without a license - to carry a gun "for lawful self-defense and self-protection" on property they own, rent or legally control, but the House tabled a motion to allow anyone with "a reasonable fear of bodily harm" from carrying a firearm anywhere.
Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, offered the amendment, saying it was consistent with the Second Amendment rights.
Wayne Greene 918-581-8308
wayne.greene@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: House passes bill to allow open carry of holstered guns
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