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Oooklahoma, Where You Can Now Open Carry a Firearm — Read the NYTimes Article on It

Oct. 31, 2012 7:44am Jonathon M. Seidl

Open Carry Becomes Legal in Oklahoma on November 1

File photo

On Thursday, concealed-carry gun license holders will be given a new right in the state of Oklahoma: the ability to wear their guns outside their clothes and in open view. And the new law caught the eye of the New York Times.

The Times did a two-page writeup on the new legislation. We’ve included it in part below (pay special attention to the last paragraph):

In a state with 142,000 men and women licensed to carry concealed weapons, the scene at Beverly’s will most likely become commonplace as Oklahomans take advantage of the law by displaying their handguns while they shop for groceries, eat at restaurants and walk into banks.

Advocates for gun rights said the ability to “open carry” would deter crime and eliminate the risks of a wardrobe mishap, such as when someone carrying a concealed weapon breaks the law by accidentally exposing the firearm. But the new law is a symbolic as well as practical victory. Supporters said there was no better advertisement for the Second Amendment than to have thousands of responsible adults openly carrying their weapons in a highly visible fashion.

“This enhances Oklahomans’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said the Republican state senator who wrote Senate Bill 1733, Anthony Sykes. “I think the evidence is clear that gun owners are some of the most responsible people, and they’ve shown that in not just Oklahoma, where we’ve had conceal carry for quite some time and there’s never been an incident, but in these other states as well.”

When the law takes effect, Oklahoma will become the 15th state to allow people to openly carry firearms with a license. Those 15 states include Utah, Iowa, New Jersey and Connecticut. Several other states, including Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, have even more permissive laws that allow the carrying of unconcealed firearms without a license. All but six states and the District of Columbia allow some form of open carry, said John Pierce, founder of OpenCarry.org.

Though common around the country, these laws in several states have posed legal and logistical problems for municipalities and law enforcement agencies seeking to balance gun owners’ constitutional rights with maintaining order.

Even in Western and Midwestern states where support for gun rights is strong, the laws have often passed after lobbying efforts lasting years, and have led to confusion and debate about where it is appropriate, let alone legal, for people to openly display their handguns.

In Mason City, Iowa, officials debated seeking an ordinance making it illegal to open-carry in city parks after two people displaying their firearms showed up at a children’s playground. To avoid potential litigation, officials decided to not pursue an ordinance. They instead started a marketing campaign last month asking residents to keep their weapons concealed in public parks.

On the East Coast, open-carry laws generate little controversy because several states make it hard for average citizens to acquire the permits necessary to display unconcealed firearms. [Emphasis added]

You can read the entire article here.

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Comments (185)

kruzer_mike
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:12am
Louisiana has had open carry for years but most people choose not to except during hunting season. I think open carry changes the equation especially for those that have no regard for the law. They stop and think before attacking a citizen when they know someone has a sidearm on their hip. The liberals always claim that it will turn into “gunfight at the OK Corral” but that has not happened. When Texas started allowing concealed carry(after the Luby’s cafeteria shooting) and shortly thereafter, Louisiana, the violent crime rate dropped. There were a few anti-gun prosecutors that would go after the citizen for a lawful shooting but for the most part, the judges reigned them in.

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- jcldwl
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:44am
  The only problem with open carry are the businesses that don’t want firearms brought in. Being concealed I can ignore their signs and keep myself and family safer knowing I have a firearm to protect us should a criminal decide that the place that posts the no gun signs is the place to wreak havoc. Open carry would make it difficult. I go no where without my firearm. I have no problem with open carry in fact I think it is great but I will remain concealed, until anarchy breaks out then the anti-gun laws won’t matter because the guns will be necessary for survival.
  
  Report this comment
- Teufel Hunden
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:24am
  If a business doesn’t want any weapons on or in their establishment, they should be required by law to post a large sign out front saying so. One large enough and in plain sight so everyone walking by can see it. And it should be written in Spanish and Ebonics as well.
  
  Report this comment
- term limits for congress
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:53am
  Oooklahoma? I don’t get it.
  
  Report this comment
- WakeUp
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:07am
  jcldwl You can still conceal carry if you chose. Another option is not to shop at stores that don’t respect your rights.
  
  Report this comment
- rickg62
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:15am
  TermLimits– It refers to the opening line of the title song from the musical Oklahoma where the first syllable’s sound is extended. Guess I’m just old if I remember that.
  
  Report this comment
- twolaneflash
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:20am
  @Term Limits:
  
  “Oooklahoma” is a reference to the theme song from the 1943 Broadway musical “Oklahoma” by Rogers & Hammerstein. You had to be there, I guess, education being what it isn’t these days.
  
  Report this comment
- turkey13
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:23am
  Have been preparing for Nov. 1ST for months. I have got a holster for my North American Arms 5 shot .22 Magnum. I will still carry my Cimarron Titan derringer that I had my boot modifed for, instead of .45 it will now be loaded with .410 shot gun shells. Of course my wife will still carry her .38 Lady Smith in her purse. All 3 of my sons and their wives have carry permits. We refuse to be the meal of the day by some no good for nothing bum.
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:35am
  Having Pricipal and teachers and “of-age” students “open-cary” might have the terrorist-rampant-shooters give a seccond thought…”maybe might not go in there!!”
  
  Report this comment
- FesteAinoriba
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:43pm
  Law abiding citizens who exercise their right to open carry have been illegally harassed, threatened, and arrested by ignorant police for “disturbing the peace”. Apparently, in a police state, only police are supposed to have arms. They feel threatened by non-uniformed citizens who exercise their rights. Why is that? Frankly, I’m of the informed opinion that anything a state employee can do, a regular citizen is also legally authorized to do. It is the mark of illegitimate governments to bestow rights, powers or authorities on state employees that are not held individually by the citizens themselves. Under our “legitimate government” all government power is derived by delegation from the governed. So, I ask, rhetorically, if an individual citizen lack legal power to do something, how can he delegate that power to the state? Hmmmm? Application of this simple litmus test will tell you very quickly where the government has overstepped its legally-derived power and is exercising illegitimate power.
  
  Report this comment
- glassbeadlady
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:48pm
  Open carry is really a great idea. We went to a cafe in Black Canyon AZ. for breakfast and the cafe was filled with cowboys and all had six shooter in holsters, I have never felt so safe. Wish Utah would follow, we can have rifles in our truck and c.c. permit is easy to get. We have to chart a coarse to FL. when we drive to visit the kids to check gun laws along the route. The Japanese didn’t invade the main land because there would be a rifle behind every blade of grass. That is not true anymore.
  
  Report this comment
- PlowMan
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:51pm
  Rick, your not old. I’m in my 40s and I knew what they were trying to do. Term is just one of those guys who is perfect and wants to point out every mistake these fine people make. Only this time it wasn’t a mistake. Hmmm, I guess that make Term not perfect. lol
  
  Report this comment
- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 12:51pm
  JCLDWL—-> ditto. I never want them see it coming, Single me or my family out (or anyone in my vicinity) as easy prey, bad decision there boy! They wanna play, they’ll pay.
  
  Report this comment
- KevINtampa
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 1:03pm
  Here in Florida Rick Scott promised to sign open carry legislation if elected. Well, we elected him, but are still limited to open carry only if we are carrying a fishing rod, tent, or wearing a hunting vest. He still has time so I hope he signs an open carry law, otherwise he will be yet another governor to promise Florida open carry that has been voted out for not being able to get open carry laws passed. In my mind it’s the solution to the the stand your ground laws we have. May not have to stand your ground if your attacked knows you will being so before he attacks.
  
  Report this comment
- hold_my_stones
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 1:27pm
  KelTec makes a nice carry friendly semi auto, the PF-9. Light, sleek, deadly accurate.
  
  http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/pf-9/
  
  Report this comment
- BSdetector
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 1:39pm
  “When the law takes effect, Oklahoma will become the 15th state to allow people to openly carry firearms with a license. Those 15 states include Utah, Iowa, New Jersey…”
  
  New Jersey is a no Second Amendment state. I don’t know who told them open carry is allowed here…
  
  Report this comment
- GunSlingerTexas
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 3:06pm
  Why do American Citizens need a politician to tell them it is ok to bear arms? Where does a politician derive the authority to create laws on how the people can bear arms or what arms they may or may not bear? 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution states “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” and the 14th Amendment Section 1, to the US Constitution states, “Section 1. ……. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”
  Most people do not understand that God (natural born rights) has given you the right to be free and the right to defend your freedom. That right does not come from the U.S. Constitution, politicians or government. The U.S. Constitution does not give the people the right to bear arms, the U.S. Constitution is a device that restricts the governments (politicians side of the government) from taking away those natural born rights. And the politicians violate the U.S. Constitution on a daily basis.
  What gives politicians (local, state or federal level) the authority to take away and or give the people of the United States their rights as prescribed by their natural born rights?
  So someone tell me, because no one has ever before been able to do so, why do we have to wait for a politician to make a law that “gives” the People of the United States our rights back?
  
  Report this comment
- abyrd
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:15pm
  JCLDWL, I’m with you on keeping it concealed. I like to have the option but personally don’t want anyone thinking about my gun. I don’t want to make people uncomfortable but want to make them safe if necessary. I open carry when my work brings me into high crime neighborhoods though. Cops in my area are cool to me when they see I have a CCP…so far.
  
  Report this comment
- yougottabekidding
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 4:33pm
  Pa is an open carry state without the need for ccw license until you get in a vehicle.
  I mostly open carry, but will conceal in a place with a larger crowd.
  I have never been approached or hassled by LEO except to inquire as to the caliber.
  Going into a non carry state like New Jersey especially around Newark airport, where making a wrong turn places you in extreme jeopardy, is insane
  
  Report this comment
- rickbob
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:10pm
  Right on, right on, right on!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 5:51pm
  Somehow I thought the right to bear arms already was understood to wear arms outside where it can be seen. I guess this article is showcasing this new supposed way they can carry their arms, however it has already been understood as part of the right to bear arms since the beginning of the nation. In essence the government has taken [the right] and twisted it into [a privilege], and now they can remove the privilege eventually, and the understanding of the right will get disposed of along with it.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 6:03pm
  I suppose a peoples who let themselves be molded like the way noted in my previous posting deserve the government they get.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 6:05pm
  rickbob,
  Haha, “Right on, right on” that’s funny that you think you’ve won something.
  
  Report this comment
- Ilikepeople
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 6:09pm
  Let me tell you morons something, if they can twist a right into a privilege in Oklahoma, and then take that privilege away eventually sucking your right along with it – they can do it in any state.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 6:12pm
  In AZ, if a store has a sign at the entrance saying no guns, you cannot carry your concealed weapon inside. If you do, you run the risk of getting arrested. When I see that sign, I equate that the same as a “No Colored People” sign and I do not give them my business. I don’t make a scene, yell at the manager, or picket outside the store. I respect their right to reject business and I do my speaking with my money. Thankfully, there are very few stores that I have gone to that don’t allow my conceal. I don’t open carry because you never know if some nut might run up & try to grab my gun. Many people seem nervous around open carry I have noticed. I fully support the right, but I like keeping my capabilities to myself.
  
  Report this comment
- BCanook
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 6:41pm
  KEVINTAMPA
  Didn’t know Gov Scott said that. I’ll be writing to state legislators on a regular basis. Thanks
  
  Report this comment
- guns-an-bibles
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:14pm
  Can I sue if I walk into an establishment that requires me to leave my gun outside and than I get shot because I didn’t have it?
  
  Report this comment
- ProbIemSoIver
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:40pm
  This is an article that brings a smile to my face :)
  
  Report this comment
- ProbIemSoIver
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:46pm
  @Gunslingermike
  
  You are 100% correct. there are NO stipulations on our right to keep and BEAR arms according to the Constitution !!!!!
  
  The problem is the indoctrinated sheople. It is very difficult to wake them up.
  
  Also, some of these sheople go on to become Supreme Court Justices that don’t understand the terms “Inalienable” and “Not to be infringed”.
  
  Report this comment
- ProbIemSoIver
  Posted on November 1, 2012 at 1:01am
  *correction
  My last post addressed to @GUNSLINGERTEXAS.
  
  Report this comment
- galicant wiseword
  Posted on November 1, 2012 at 4:27am
  Thanks GunslingerTexas. There is really no need for a state to pass an open carry law and those that don’t allow their citizens to do so are in violation of the Constitution. The best reason for any such law would be to clearly limit and inculpate police and government servants that violate this right.
  
  Report this comment
- black9897
  Posted on November 1, 2012 at 11:56am
  Oh wow..thank God we have people giving me more of my God-given rights. What a crazy notion to wear a gun on the outside of your clothing. Even more crazy is that people think it’s ok to violently throw others in jail for wearing it like that. maybe one day it will be the land of the free.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:59am
Hey New York, Don’t like it? Stay in New York and mind your own business! Quit telling other people how to live.

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- Depressed_American
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:44am
  Amen!!! Compare Oklahoma’s crime rate with New York City or Chicago……
  
  Just read looting is already happening in New York City. If People had the right to carry, that story may be different…..
  
  Report this comment
grimmster
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:53am
I prefer to conceal carry rather than open.When you open carry, all eyes are on you, and most likely if a ssituation arises where there is gunplay,you will be the first to take fire.

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- txannie
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:50am
  Yep…and it’s more fun to see the surprised look on thier face when they realize they just stepped in it up to their knees when you draw your’s.
  
  Report this comment
- Maj_Jack
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:35am
  One of the main reasons for the new Open Carry law, was to correct issues with the conceal carry law. If a licensed conceal carry gun owner accidentally allowed his or her weapon to be seen, be it because you reached for something on the top shelf at the grocery store or opened a purse to pay for your lunch, you could possibly lose your license for brandishing a weapon. All it takes is someone calling the police and complaining that you are showing your weapon and they are in fear for their safety.
  
  There have been a few instances in OK of licensees losing their license to carry because someone complained.
  
  Report this comment
overthecliff
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:51am
APPROPRIATE? The Times isn`t concerned about appropriate when it comes to perverted behavior.

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myptofvu
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:49am
AZ has an open carry law and I can’t tell you how many “logistical problems this has caused local municipalities and law enforcement.”

I can’t tell you because there aren’t any!

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- DeathRattle
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:08am
  Not only has it not caused any problems, it has saved a couple of officers lives.
  
  Report this comment
- Carl McPherson
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:14am
  Yep, I live here in Gilbert AZ and I open carry every day.
  I have my conceal carry permit also but my S&W .357 magnum revolver is too large to conceal most of the year (too hot for a coat). But… this years tax return is going to get me a Ruger SR9 and that’s small enough to conceal all year around with a loose fitting shirt.
  I’ve been open carrying though all the time. I have great conversations.
  It is right though.. it does draw a LOT of attention from people.. sometimes it surprises me how much. It’s just a gun.. calm down people.
  
  Report this comment
- Conservative New Yorker
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:30am
  @ Carl. You are going to LOVE the SR9! I have the compact since I’m a small woman and it’s much easier to conceal. Excellent reset on the trigger and accurate as all get-out. My husband likes it too but his M&P comes first, lol.
  
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BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:48am
Do you think this will give the criminals an idea of who to rob and who not to rob?

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- starman70
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:59am
  I wish my state would pass such a law. As a matter of fact, every state should pass it. All states should recognize the carry permits of every other state also.
  
  Report this comment
- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 1:15pm
  Armed robberies in Oklahoma are a crap shoot (ha!) never know who is armed so smash and grab is more likely. this law is to correct the original law in case of accidental uncovering.
  
  Report this comment
- coldnorth
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 1:38pm
  They only rob the guy in the file photo that the blaze provided. Which dumba$$ puts his hand over the muzzle, while he grips the pistol with his finger on the trigger. Nice job blaze. Go out and find some more pictures of idiots holding guns.
  
  Report this comment
- historyguy48
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 2:33pm
  Had a jerk try to car jack me. One look at my .357 not more than a foot from his face and he couldn’t run fast enough.
  I always carry and will simply not deal with businesses that post the “no gun” sign. Just because they want to do stupid doesn’t mean I will.
  
  Report this comment
cowboy357
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:33am
Michigan too! Here’s a laugh for ya….guess who signed our concealed carry into law….wait for it….Jennifer Granholm!!!!!

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poorrichard09
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:30am
Oklahoma, you’re OK!

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huey6367
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:28am
If I wanted to rob/attack somebody (not my style) I would definitely be averted if I saw a gun hanging off their hip. I want to move to OK.

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CWPrequired
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:25am
I prefer the Springfield XDM 9mm on my hip. 19 rounds in the mag and 1 in the chamber. I carry it everywhere I’m legally allowed to carry. Get your CWP before your right is taken away.

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- bobfrommosinee
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 10:51am
  S&W 642, and 5, If you can’t get it done in 5, You need a assault rifle.
  
  The rule of 3, 3 shots, 3 seconds, 3 yards…… That is how 95% of the shooting take place.
  
  But I do carry a reload, But still my job is to get out of harms way, as safe and fast as possible, Not make a standing fight with the cretins.
  
  Report this comment
- mrspeigle
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 3:43pm
  Px4 myself, I figure better to have and not need than need and not have. Sure its not my job to get in a extended gun fight with the bad guys, but I won’t have much choice in what kind of gunfight I get in to will I? Besides 18 in the gun plus 2 20 round reloads is gonna be a hell of a lot better than 5+2 5 round reloads.
  
  Report this comment
scrapadapolis
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:23am
I live in upstate new york,Not city but a small town.NY makes it impossible to optain a pistol permit.And I think thats wrong.I should be able as a free American to choose to enact my second ammendment right with out infringment,But as some of you know NY isn’t a free state.

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- jcldwl
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:37am
  Then move
  
  Report this comment
- TheGreatMan
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:51am
  Good grief man. Move. I’m former New Yorker now living in Dixie. And yep I pack legally.
  
  Report this comment
- GrayPanther
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:14am
  I hope you carry anyway. Remember, it’s better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. It is never proper to break the law but when the law is unconstitutional; BRAKE IT!
  
  Report this comment
HLGarret
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:18am
That’s why we would NEVER go to NY, or Chicago!

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- RightUnite
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:27am
  Couldn’t agree more! I’ll never go to a city with the level of crime as both of these cities….. Anyone who does is a fool!
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:36am
  Be prepared. You never know when a wedding will break out.
  
  Report this comment
gsplgtr
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:13am
I love my state of Virginia. Open carry is the law of this commonwealth and we DON NOT have to have a license to open carry. We do, however, have conceal carry permits but NOT a license. Why should I have a license to open carry when it is my God Given constitutional RIGHT?

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- UpholderOftheConstitution
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:31am
  Amen to that! The whole concept that owning a weapon and carrying it openly will be bad is just plain foolish. Because a criminal will acquire a weapon regardless of the law (that is why he is a freaking criminal!) and will use it at his or her’s most convenient time. Therefore the law abiding citizens are left at the mercy of this criminal and the mercy of the cleanup by the police (they solve crimes not prevent them!).
  
  Owning a weapon (that is what arms means in the Constitution Libs!) is my God-given right put down in writing on our beloved Constitution. It is a RIGHT not a privilege to own and bear that weapon! This government and the trolls living in the beltway need to understand this concept, a right is something that can never be taken a way, while a privilege can be taken away, therefore there can be NO law prohibiting or constraining a right.
  
  If it is a privilege that is another story but these 10 amendments are the rights of the free citizen of this republic and cannot be taken away for they are endowed by our Creator and not some two-bit politician trying to make his beltway lib friends happy.
  
  Report this comment
rightwingheroes
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:13am
Everyone knows the problem with firearms does not fall on responsible gun owners, it falls on the savage criminal element that obtains their firearms illegally. I see no problem with this and actually see it the way it was intended, as a second amendment right and a deterrent. I bet the Jewish man in NYC wouldn’t have been mugged if those savages saw that he was carrying a gun.

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Landon410
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:12am
i have 2 holsters, open and concealed
i often, very often, have my handgun within reach.

I think gun owners should be allowed to exercise their rights of owning their guns, we aren’t a well armed miltia if we can’t be well armed outside our living rooms….

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- 00100111
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:36am
  No, we shouldn’t be “allowed”. To say we’re “allowed” means that someone can “disallow it”. We’re not allowed to carry, it is our RIGHT to carry. You don’t need a permit, license, to be “allowed” to carry. The 2nd Amendment is my carry permit.
  
  Report this comment
Uechi
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:08am
Open Carry versus Concealed Carry is very controversial among gun owners but not for the reason you think. Open Carry advocates believe that the sight of a weapon is in itself a deterrant against crime. Concealed Carry advocates believe that having a weapon hidden gives one an element of surprise if you become a target of crime,where an open carry would be neutraaized by a determine criminal. In any event, whether you legally carry open or concealed the key word is legally. You should have the choice to do one or the other or both.

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- blanco5
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:15am
  Yes!
  
  Report this comment
- Konservative PUNK
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:01am
  True that an openly carried weapon is a detterent to most criminals, but it may also make the carrier a target by others. One thing criminals love the most is to illegally obtain a weapon. Conceal laws keep the criminals guessing who has and who does not have a weapon. I believe that gun owners should have the right to choose whether to carry openly or concealed, but as for myself, I prefer to conceal.
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:42am
  I prefer concealed carry, but I fully support anyone’s right to open carry. For me it isn’t about surprise or deterrent, it’s just convenience. I don’t like attention, I prefer to stay under the radar and mind my own business (something liberals don’t let people do much). I open carry sometimes in NC, and most people don’t bat an eye. I might get a few looks from ****-hurt libs, but it’s cute watching them sit and stew and not say anything about it. But I digress. I prefer to conceal, mostly for convenience and privacy. My reason for liking the option to open carry is if my shirt prints or if I have a wardrobe malfunction and I’m exposed I’m not breaking any laws.
  
  Report this comment
- Mr.buff1959
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 11:01pm
  I open carry my 30.30, win, every day from my home to work. No problems i live in Texas.
  
  Report this comment
Stelex
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:07am
I wish more people would open carry, when I’m just running around town I open carry. The more common place it becomes the less it will be fought. There are times to conceal but there are also times to openly display your second amendment rights so people don’t forget its a right. I you open carry and walk through a store and get lots of looks and double takes. Your town needs work.

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biohazard23
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:07am
And I wonder which state would have a lower violent crime rate, OK or NY?

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- let us prey
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:35am
  Hey bio. Hope you are well.
  
  Report this comment
- biohazard23
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:06am
  Good morning, Prey! All is well on the homefront. Little Man is crawling now – YIKES!!!
  
  How’s things with you?
  
  Report this comment
Chris.underhill
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:06am
when i took my conceal carry last year,here in okc let me tell you the police here are praising this. All of the cops i have spoken to have 1 voted for this and 2 say this is the best thing. Were not some kind of back water toothless punks around here. we are peaceful hard working people. This is the only state i have lived in where you can wave to a cop on the street when driving and they wave back.Not like CA where they pull you over tow your car off just becasue you looked there way. I have so much respect for the okc police. Sure just like every state there is knuckle heads.
IT could be why Oklahoma is also one of the best places to live right now.Not to mention we are the only state with a rainy day fund and growing. Just keep in mind Make my day law in okc is strong And it saves lives.open and conceal carry saves lives. God bless OKC God bless texas. OH btw look out texas we are looking to compete with you..NA we got texas’s back for sure

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- huey6367
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:30am
  I would guess OK is not going to Obie on Tuesday.
  
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- fractalman
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 9:43am
  Huey, in 2008, Oklahoma was the only state that was “solid red”. Obama did not carry a single county, not even Cleveland County, home of the University of Oklahoma.
  
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  $fractalman$
kickagrandma
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:05am
WOW. That’s TWO STRONG STATES back to back. Making living in either one very inviting in these days.

OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS have done some super standing up through these years. GOD BLESS you for being positive, AMERICAN examples for the rest of us.

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FEMALL
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:03am
The 500 people who read the NYT are wondering where Oklahoma is and why anyone would possibly go there purposefully.

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- pragmaticpatriot
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 1:07pm
  Being from Oklahoma i grew up wondering where and why anyone would go to New York!
  
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:01am
Good for Oklahoma. Hope to see more of this across the country.

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- TSUNAMI_22
  Posted on October 31, 2012 at 3:52pm
  This might make a great subject for a college study on firearms vs. crime and societal politeness.
  
  “I can see the conclusion of the study already: “Studies have shown that open-carry states show a marked decrease in crime and social unrest due to an increased “STFU & mind your own business factor” between the day to day interaction of its citizens.”
  
  I want to move to Oklahoma! I’ll chance the tornadoes.
  
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HollyRye
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 8:00am
How ironic that this should be posted on The Blaze next to the article about the Brooklyn man who was beaten up by thugs. I’m thinking that those “toughs” would have thought twice if their victim was clearly armed. Way to go, Oklahoma!

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PorkPIG
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 7:59am
Great news , Now just be ready for the one fits all charge of Disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace . We can Open carry here in PA but in Doing so u must be ready to take on legal ramifications if you encounter one overzealous Police officer .

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RightUnite
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 7:51am
OMG!! Run for the hills!! You know, the OK Corral and all!! BlahBlahBlahBlah!!

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