oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (2/13/2009 5:07:01 AM)

I would prefer to have a gun and not need it, than need a gun and not have one.

Mr. Tweedy, Tulsa (2/13/2009 5:12:07 AM)

I would prefer Ritze to ditch the ugly Hawaiian shirts, terrible hair-dye, and grimacing denture smile. Oh, and support my bid to put a temple to Zeus on the Capitol grounds. With armed Gladiators.

flint, Checotah (2/13/2009 5:20:43 AM)

In Oklahoma only the criminals carry guns. If honest citizens could carry openly there would be far fewer crimes. Criminals are basically cowards and won't attack if they think someone is going to fight back!
Way to go Mike!

dean, Tulsa (2/13/2009 5:53:33 AM)

Song of the day: "Big Iron" by Marty Robbins

Echos, Tulsa (2/13/2009 6:26:04 AM)

I am having visions of the wild wild west. I am kind of uncomfortable seeing guns just laying around. Not sure how I would feel if I seen people just walking around with them. Not saying I would be against the law.

TheLastWord, (2/13/2009 6:29:35 AM)

Ritze says "Criminals will not open-carry,".
but it says this law would not require a license for openly carried weapons, so that makes no sense.

Tony G, Tulsa (2/13/2009 6:29:39 AM)

"Criminals will not open-carry," he said. "Honest citizens will open-carry."

He doesn't know Tulsa very well!

justiceawaits, Claremore (2/13/2009 6:37:49 AM)

The more I see Rep. Mike Ritze in the news, the more I become convinced he is a total nutbag.Either that, or he is just trying to put laws on the books that are sure to be challenged in court so his Lawyer cronies can make big bucks in court suing the state.Some crooks cary guns,the rest carry law degrees!

Michael Phillips, Tulsa (2/13/2009 6:41:52 AM)

We have come a long way since 1913. Read todays Way back when: Today in history.

JimD, Sand Springs (2/13/2009 6:45:39 AM)

All changes take time to be accepted. And there are going to be some that would b**** if they were hung with a new rope. I'd rather know if someone is armed I might need their help. And I think the statement that the bad boys won't carry open is probably correct. So why not give it try couldn't be any worse than it already is. Just count all the killings that has taken place in Tulsa and near by towns. Some might still be with their families if they had been armed.
Just my thoughts!

kiotee-mee, Coweta (2/13/2009 6:47:24 AM)

i've always been worried about the fact that the only people around me carrying weapons are the cops & the criminals...i can think of several disasters that might have had differant endings if there would have been some "good guns" around...also, todays society demands a change, whether for the better or not, who's to say, but most of us are considered "prey" simply because we are unarmed...i think it's time to even the odds a little.....

Echos, Tulsa (2/13/2009 6:50:42 AM)

"Even the odds" I like how you put that Kiotee-mee

peelumba, (2/13/2009 6:52:55 AM)

ok first where did that guy get that shirt and his rug looks terrible! Now the "open carry" issue, what do we now live in the wild west again?
I am sure the police want to see a bunch of citizens walking around with holstered firearms on their sides. What a ridiculous bill. I am sure the nra folks are loving this.

jhill, Tulsa (2/13/2009 7:03:18 AM)

Mike Ritze is rapidly emerging at Class Clown of our legislative freshmen.

I'm sure the people of Broken Arrow are thrilled by the honor he brings them and with the fact that he is able to devote so much effort to the issues that really concern them.

Echos, Tulsa (2/13/2009 7:08:05 AM)

Accidental deaths caused by physicians: .171%
Accidental deaths caused by gun owners: 000188.
Statistically, doctors are approximately
9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.
I say make it a law. It could reduce crime dramatically and make Taylor look really bad.

bartlesville's cowardly dog, bartlesville (2/13/2009 7:19:23 AM)

You can carry a gun without a license or extensive background check? This sounds like a super large problem for the police, how will they have any idea if it is friend or foe walking around with a gun. As it is right now concealed weapon permits have actual FBI background checks, with fingerprints on file to prove who you are. These guys need to start returning some of the crack ,from busts, back to the state police evidence rooms.

my view, Sand Springs (2/13/2009 7:24:29 AM)

I have read my times from posters that constantly complain that Oklahoma is behind the times. If you have read story there only six states that don't have open-carry laws. Four of those state are considering it, two are not, this is not a new concept.

I do question a person, should be able to openly carry without a license. They should have to submit to a background check and have some gun training.

There will always be those that say, that there will be shootouts in the street at high noon. You have the shootouts now but it's not between honest citizens, but the lawless among us, you read about it everyday. There is at the moment 44 states with some form of open-carry laws. Oklahoma needs to move in to the 21st century as some of you are so proud of saying.

drill_baby_drill, McAlester (2/13/2009 7:25:18 AM)

I have my concealed hand gun license, as do several of my girl friends. To me, it seems like a better idea to go with the open carry, because an attacker is going to be less likely to instigate an asault if he sees that I am packing. Why should I have to hide it, and hope that I can get to it in time in the event of an attack, which again, is most likely more probable if I appear unarmed?

ncross11, (2/13/2009 7:27:09 AM)

Echos - please call us when the NRA forwards you some new material. That line has been used for years and it's as riduculous now as it was 20 years ago.

jaenosjelantru, Tulsa (2/13/2009 7:29:55 AM)

Most people except those who have it don't know this but with a closed carry permit, if you are carrying, and someone can see the gun, you can be arrested, have your gun seized and lose your permit. In Oklahoma, it's called brandishing. Even if the gun is underneath clothing and someone can make out the shape of it, you can be arrested.

It's well past time for honest citizens to be able to carry open, where and when they choose.

Frites and Mayo, Tulsa (2/13/2009 7:37:50 AM)

I think it is totally unneccessary for one to be able to carry open. I'm not against concealed carry permits, but just think it would be absolutely nuts to see a bunch people packin' while a stroll through aisles at Reasors. If you're that worried about having to quick draw for your gun then go hide somewhere.

my view, Sand Springs (2/13/2009 7:38:58 AM)

ncross11,

The truth bothers you, don't it?

drill_baby_drill, McAlester (2/13/2009 7:45:04 AM)

Frites,

Tell that to my friend who got attacked and severely beat up in the drive way of her home while trying to get the kids out of their car seats. She was knocked unconcious from being kicked in the head repeatedly. Her chin was split wide open and had to be surgically put back together. All of this for the 8 bucks she had in her pocket, and all in front of her terrified 1 and 2 year old little boys.

my view, Sand Springs (2/13/2009 7:51:57 AM)

righton,

Some of us honest citizens carry conceal weapons and we are license to do so.

Intermittently Semi-Serious, Broken Arrow (2/13/2009 7:55:25 AM)

I spent nearly 15 years in the Mojave desert (Bullhead City/Laughlin) with older gun laws. This was during a time that it was almost illegal NOT to carry a gun. Robberies and assaults were nearly non-existant. When the laws changed (circa 1980) crime went through the roof.

The second ammendment specifically allows us to arm ourselves for the protection against a tyrannical government [paraphrased]. With all that is going on today, this might just be government's biggest fear. That being said, this bill, unfortunately, has no chance of passing.