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http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100429_11_A1_RonBoe413399
In broad daylight
The next step for the gun measure is the House
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 4/29/2010 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 4/29/2010 5:06 AM
Oklahomans licensed to carry a gun would be able to display them openly in most public places if a proposed bill makes it through the Legislature and is signed into law.
Supporters of the legislation say it simply extends already guaranteed Second Amendment rights, while opponents say open carry intimidates other citizens and wastes law enforcement resources.
The state already allows people who complete a background check and receive training to carry a handgun as long as it is concealed from plain view. The proposed law would not relax permit requirements and guns would still be banned from bars, government buildings and schools.
The measure passed the Senate last week by a 33-15 vote and now awaits action in the House.
State gun control laws vary widely, but more than 40 allow open carry for citizens in at least some situations. Some states don't require a permit, but others do. Four states ban open carry outright.
As of this week, 96,767 people have a concealed-carry license in Oklahoma, said a spokeswoman with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Detractors of the practice say nobody can tell whether a person carrying a gun openly is law abiding, and allowing the practice leads to more illegal and unintentional firing of guns.
An author for the bill, Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, called those sentiments the concerns of "gun-grabbers."
. . .
Legal Community Against Violence, an advocacy group that seeks to end gun violence, argues that allowing open-carry laws can create difficulty for law enforcement.
Police are often called to a scene because someone has a weapon, and responders can't quickly determine whether the gun is owned legally, said Lindsay Nicholls, staff attorney for the California-based group.
"There's no way for officers to know that people are just exercising their rights," she said.
A spokesman for the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says the office supports the intent of the Legislature with the open-carry bill, as long as proper background checks and current regulations continue to apply.
Interim Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan said the department does not have a stance on the bill, but has had no trouble with the concealed-carry law.
"We'll just have to wait and see, but I've been impressed with concealed carry," Jordan said.
Duncan said he is confident his bill will become law.
"It's going to pass overwhelmingly, and I fully believe the governor will sign it," he said.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100429_11_A1_RonBoe413399
In broad daylight
The next step for the gun measure is the House
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 4/29/2010 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 4/29/2010 5:06 AM
Oklahomans licensed to carry a gun would be able to display them openly in most public places if a proposed bill makes it through the Legislature and is signed into law.
Supporters of the legislation say it simply extends already guaranteed Second Amendment rights, while opponents say open carry intimidates other citizens and wastes law enforcement resources.
The state already allows people who complete a background check and receive training to carry a handgun as long as it is concealed from plain view. The proposed law would not relax permit requirements and guns would still be banned from bars, government buildings and schools.
The measure passed the Senate last week by a 33-15 vote and now awaits action in the House.
State gun control laws vary widely, but more than 40 allow open carry for citizens in at least some situations. Some states don't require a permit, but others do. Four states ban open carry outright.
As of this week, 96,767 people have a concealed-carry license in Oklahoma, said a spokeswoman with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Detractors of the practice say nobody can tell whether a person carrying a gun openly is law abiding, and allowing the practice leads to more illegal and unintentional firing of guns.
An author for the bill, Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, called those sentiments the concerns of "gun-grabbers."
. . .
Legal Community Against Violence, an advocacy group that seeks to end gun violence, argues that allowing open-carry laws can create difficulty for law enforcement.
Police are often called to a scene because someone has a weapon, and responders can't quickly determine whether the gun is owned legally, said Lindsay Nicholls, staff attorney for the California-based group.
"There's no way for officers to know that people are just exercising their rights," she said.
A spokesman for the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says the office supports the intent of the Legislature with the open-carry bill, as long as proper background checks and current regulations continue to apply.
Interim Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan said the department does not have a stance on the bill, but has had no trouble with the concealed-carry law.
"We'll just have to wait and see, but I've been impressed with concealed carry," Jordan said.
Duncan said he is confident his bill will become law.
"It's going to pass overwhelmingly, and I fully believe the governor will sign it," he said.
