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