Today's development in the OK Senate:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20100331_12_0_OLHMIY627141
A Senate panel on Wednesday passed a measure that would allow those who have handgun licenses to openly carry their weapons.
House Bill 3354 was brought up under "other business" on the Senate Rules Committee agenda after originally being assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
It passed by a vote of 10-2 and heads to the Senate floor.
The measure would also allow judges on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals and Workers Compensation Court to carry weapons into the Capitol and into buildings in the Capitol complex that have courtrooms or judicial offices.
Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, and Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, are the authors of the measure.
"I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment," Duncan said.
Those willing to go through a background check and be law-abiding citizens will do the right thing, he said.
About 40 states have some version of open carry currently on the books, Duncan said.
"Oklahoma, I believe, is one of only six states that have no version of open carry," he said.
Duncan said he doesn't believe the majority of Oklahomans who have a gun license will carry openly.
"Most prefer to keep their weapons concealed," Ducan said. "This would give them some latitude."
The bill would become effective Nov. 1, Duncan said.
Rep. Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo, called the measure "dangerous, irresponsible and unsafe." Roan spent 30 years in law enforcement, including 25 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
"It will put people in situations where people will be shot in a fit of rage," Roan said.
Sykes could not immediately be reached for comment.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20100331_12_0_OLHMIY627141
A Senate panel on Wednesday passed a measure that would allow those who have handgun licenses to openly carry their weapons.
House Bill 3354 was brought up under "other business" on the Senate Rules Committee agenda after originally being assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
It passed by a vote of 10-2 and heads to the Senate floor.
The measure would also allow judges on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals and Workers Compensation Court to carry weapons into the Capitol and into buildings in the Capitol complex that have courtrooms or judicial offices.
Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, and Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, are the authors of the measure.
"I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment," Duncan said.
Those willing to go through a background check and be law-abiding citizens will do the right thing, he said.
About 40 states have some version of open carry currently on the books, Duncan said.
"Oklahoma, I believe, is one of only six states that have no version of open carry," he said.
Duncan said he doesn't believe the majority of Oklahomans who have a gun license will carry openly.
"Most prefer to keep their weapons concealed," Ducan said. "This would give them some latitude."
The bill would become effective Nov. 1, Duncan said.
Rep. Paul Roan, D-Tishomingo, called the measure "dangerous, irresponsible and unsafe." Roan spent 30 years in law enforcement, including 25 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
"It will put people in situations where people will be shot in a fit of rage," Roan said.
Sykes could not immediately be reached for comment.
