Posted on 03/12/2012 9:36:49 AM PDT by marktwain
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.
Outstanding! Cue “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” theme music.
They should have this sign in Oklahoma:
Note to any libtards visiting Oklahoma...the guns are not for sticking up banks. If you feel like fainting, that is your spine leaving your body.
So now they have to have a license to carry a gun?
Yes open carry is good, yes concealed permits are good.
However the concealed permit is turning into a gun license, which is bad. A license to exercise a Constitutionally protected right. A license which gives the govt a complete list of who has a firearm.
It was a known and assumed right.
Teenagers carried pistols in holsters, and had shotguns slung on their shoulders. Pidgeons and varmints beware.
Amazing that a law should have to be passed to make it "legal".
Thought the little line in the Constitution about "...and bear arms..." pretty much settled the matter: the politicians don't have a say in it.
Sheriffs in the old West liked open carry, because the holsters let them know who was carrying.
I’m going to have to go find a couple of new holsters. One for casual, and one for formal evening wear. Maybe get another fancy sequined one when the mood hits me.
Sheriffs in the old West liked open carry, because the holsters let them know who was carrying.
Bullseye. Since when do we need that?
Criminal record is all I care about. We no longer live in little town where strangers in a black hat “just passing through” meant trouble.
RE: LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION
THE GIST OF SB 1433: SB 1433 affirms that "The life of each human being begins at conception," and establishes the foundational principle that the laws of our state "acknowledge on behalf of the unborn child... the rights, privileges, and immunities available to other persons..."
SB 1433 PASSED THE SENATE and is now ready to be assigned to a House Committee.
IT IS VERY EASY TO SEND AN EMAIL MESSAGE TO ALL STATE REPRESENTATIVES.It is important that all State Representatives know that Oklahoman’s are PRO-LIFE!
OK HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 1-800-522-8502
Please send a second email immediately to members of the Senate at senateprolife@okforlife.org to support the Heartbeat Informed Consent Act, SB 1274, which provides a mother whose unborn baby is eight weeks or older an opportunity to hear the unborn child's heartbeat as part of the informed-consent process prior to an abortion. (The child's heart actually begins to beat at three weeks, just 21 days after conception.)
Your subject line could say simply Support Heartbeat, SB 1274, or Please Vote YES on SB 1274, or Please Vote Pro-Life! You can reach pro-life senators with one email to senateprolife@okforlife.org.
The baby's heartbeat is the child's only audible means of pleading for his or her own life. Please ask senators to support SB 1274
Yeah - and is truly amazing is that OK is one of the best places in the country from this point of view!
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