Just saw a crawl on the news that concield carry in Oklahoma can carry open now. Nice!

When/if Fallin signs it I think it goes into effect in November 2012. I believe she will sign it.

Her staff is looking it over to see if the bill meets what Governor Fallin supports. If passed, it will be effective in November. Just remember... Oklahoma had an open carry bill that made it to the previous governor, who would not sign it due to what he called inconsistencies with the bills intended purpose and what the bill actually said... a little bit of the Oklahoma Two Step, IMHO.

HOG

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I won't give you my opinion on folks that open carry. Might hurt their ego. But, it is a good way to guarantee somebody will shoot you in the back if they are a criminal type. I tried to explain those principles to a mom & pop store owner a while back that had his shotgun displayed on the wall behind the counter where his cash register was. He didn't get it either.

In the 44 states where open carry in some form is legal, the ridiculous scenario youve predicted has never happened. Not one time has a open carrier been taken out by a criminal in preparation of committing a crime. Such arguments are irresponsible and dishonest.
Further, though I am in favor of the open carry law, I have no intention of doing so. I just want my rights restored.
I would have to agree with you on the store owner, however

That guy was a bit of a disappointment to me in more than one area-even though I didn't vote for him. I voted for Fallin and I think she'll come through.

BTW, I will never open carry, but I think that license was written into law for all of us by Thomas Jefferson a long time ago.

I'd like to see some hard data on that load of sheep dip right thar....

I've worked in plain clothes for the last ten years...Haven't experienced any shots in the back or attempted gun grab so far.

I mean, who really cares how one chooses to carry their personal firearm. I know I don't.


Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Before the anti-open carry "gun lovers" bust a gut, the OK open carry law requires having a recognized CHL, use of a holster or scabbard for a handgun of .45 caliber or less, and most importantly, removes the criminal penalty if the handgun is detected by normal observation.

As it was in KY where I grew up, I expect to see few open carry in the cities, some in small towns, and a lot in rural areas.

Keep in mind that until the law is signed and goes into effect in Nov, it is a crime for me to open carry a handgun on private property going to the barn, just for personal protection. It is a crime if the wind blows my jacket up in the Wal Mart parking lot. The present law is way too restrictive, and has dire penalties.

The new law is much overdue, and brings us into line with over 40 states.

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Science plus Art

I can tuck in my shirt when I'm hunting... leave the 5-11 vest in the car, not concerned about printing. I will use the advantage of concealled carry when possible. As for the guy who mumbled about "ego" be advised Freud was a cocaine addict.

I don't care if you carry openly or conceal it. I believe it's our constitutional right to do so. I have had remind several of my cop friends of this. I do find interesting that everyone saying it rediculousl to think that open carry may cause a tactical disadvantage also state they would never do it.

I think you misunderstand what people are saying when they(we) say, " it rediculousl to think that open carry may cause a tactical disadvantage also state they would never do it". My reason for not wishing to carry openly is not tactical. I simply see no need to do so and would not feel comfortable. It [I]is [I]a ridiculous argument to say that someone with s gun on their hip is gonna be shot first in a robbery. It has NEVER happened in 44 states over DECADES of open carry. Robbers don't typically set out to commit murder, and they dang sure aren't lookin for a fight. The fact that no one has ever been shot due to the loss of tactical advantage via open carry supports that open carry is a deterrent to crime.

OKFC05 points out, very succinctly, the requirements of the new law and the restrictions of the current law. Please allow me to share several instances where the new law will enable me to comply and be well within my rights.

I am blessed to own 120 acres of mostly native timber, with several small open areas of native grass, two livestock ponds, a barn and two secure shipping containers. Unfortunately l do not live on the "farm". In the 6 years l have been steward of this property, l've had to run off poachers and dumpers on several occasions, had one break-in at the barn, with several thousand dollars worth of tools and camping gear stolen, one attempted break-in, three separate thefts of miscellaneous gear. I missed the thieves, literally, by hours in two instances. I've been charged by wild dogs twice, busted a coyote out of the brush within ten yards, and have feral hogs crossing my place more than l care to think about. One of my neighbors was charged by a feral boar while deer hunting! I have both copperheads and timber rattlers as native residents. I currently open carry whenever l'm on the property. While I've made it a point to get to know my neighbors, local and county LEs and the game ranger, I am still the first line of defense. It will be nice to be completely legal and well within my rights!

...and that's all about that!

Hog

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I don't mind open carry and from a liberty standpoint think it's part of our 2A rights. I plan to still carry concealed for the most part. The only advantage I see personally for me is instead of the required mouse gun to carry concealed, I can now strap on almost any size and go to town if I choose.
In fact I have a new Mernickle holster for my Uberti Colt clone that I'm considering. Now if I had an original Colt SAA (preferably case colored frame with polished blue barrel & cylinder along with genuine ivory grips), well... I'd just have to open carry that to show it off.

I will, mostly to mollify the wife, continue to carry concealed most of the time (after 10/31/2012). The advantage of the revision to the law as others have pointed out is that an inadvertent display of concealed carry guns will no longer make one subject to losing one's license to carry and/or getting fined up the wahzoo. It also means that if it's too doggone hot for a cover garment, I can just remove it instead of suffering heat stroke. (We're talking Oklahoma summer time here.)

As for open carry making one a target of criminals, I open carried for years in Kentucky, and you'd be stunned at how many people never noticed a 4 inch .357 Magnum in a pancake holster on my hip. I don't think the "you'll be the first one shot" scenario is plausible.

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Again, with respect to open carry and the "fact" than no one has ever been the first victim because of it, I will never understand why anyone concerned with defending themselves would want to surrender the element of surprise. Looking back over my 30 yr. LEO career, it just makes no sense to me.

That said I strongly support everyone's right to do just that, it's just not for me.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Plus one more here!

What do you think you guys are, ninjas? You can put quotations around the word fact all you want but it doesnt make it less true. Your argument in silly at best. It has been shown statistically that firearms do act as a deterrent. This is verifiable. I think your argument against openly carrying is just as "mall ninja" as most of the people who will be carrying openly.

I don't hold myself out as any kind of expert, just contriubting my humble opinion to a discussion. While the fact that no one has been vicitmized while openly carrying may be verifiable, I still would not want to put this to the test. Others may do as they wish and I support the right to open carry, but I still believe it to be an ill advised way to protect yourself.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Dad was right, keep it in your pants, nothing good can come from showing the whole world what ya got!

I have no idea, if there are actual cases of open carry individuals being targeted first. If I were a bad guy, I,d take out the gun guy first. I know 99/100 cops sit with their backs to a wall, facing the entrance or cash register. Ya gotta ask why and the answer is they don't want to get shot first.

Again, this 'element of surprise' thing. Why do CC'ers think they have any element of surprise? You don't. You are on defense. The bad guy is on offense, he has the element of surprise. You can only react to the bad guy.

I have never seen a story about an OC'er 'taken out first'. I have read stories of suspicious characters entering an establishment, see an OC'er, and then leaving.

If you didn't consider yourself an expert you wouldn't feel the need to tell us all how long you've been in law enforcement. That doesn't support your position simply because you,have no facts.

My only point was to share my experience, not to challenge your position. During my career I was attacked by bad guys who tried to get my gun, once while I was in uniform and once while in plain clothes. This experience does not make my opinion carry more weight, I only share for what-it's-worth.

LEO's have a unique perspective and see many things others do not. While my LEO days are long behind me and may have no application to civilian CCW, I pass it along in hope it may help someone. If you disagree I take no offense.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

They are the guys in uniforms. Plainclothes guys and detectives keep doing it out of force of habit. Truth be told, I do the same thing!

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I am a big fat man and IWB doesn't work too well for me.

I will be able to carry OWB with my T-shirt untucked, and won't have to worry about casual exposure issues any longer.

I can carry a full size gun, if I wish, and don't have to depend on a small caliber "pocket pistol".

Besides all that, I believe it is our Constitutional right to carry!