Gun association seeks right to 'bare' arms in Oklahoma
Capitol: Group opposes six states’ requirements to conceal weapons
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106
BY JOHN GREINER
Published: October 20, 2008
Donald Ohse is spearheading an online effort at obtaining signatures from supporters urging legislators to pass a law allowing citizens to openly carry guns. He is photographed with his Glock Model 21, a .45 caliber pistol Wednesday, October 15, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
To at least one Midwest City man, openly carrying a gun is a matter of safety for him and his family.
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When the movement began
In 2004 in Virginia, Mike Stollenwerk and John Pierce started OpenCarry.org to push for the right to carry guns openly.
The Web site now has about 10,000 registered members, said Stollenwerk, a retired Army lieutenant colonel.
Stollenwerk and Pierce determined that at least six states ban openly carrying a gun: Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina and New York.
This movement includes only handguns, which Stollenwerk calls "the quintessential self-defense weapon.”
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence lists gun laws of each state. But Chad Ramsey, a senior associate director of the Brady Group, said it is difficult to determine which states allow open carry.
But Ramsey said Stollenwerk appears to be correct about the six states that ban openly carrying firearms.
Law enforcement objections
Officials with two Oklahoma law enforcement associations said they don’t like the idea of people openly carrying guns.
"I would guess that very few would want to go back to the early west appearance where people carried guns strapped down on their hip,” said Ken McNair, a retired police officer and executive director of the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association.
Jim Cox, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, said he doesn’t think that openly carrying a gun accomplishes very much.
A concealed weapon gives a person the element of surprise, he said.
"The bad guys aren’t going to be openly carrying,” said Cox, a former police officer and police chief in Midwest City.
Right to choose
Stollenwerk said he thinks that letting people carry guns openly will let someone with bad intentions know that you are armed.
"While I understand that sometimes it is a tactical advantage to be concealed, sometimes it might be the other way,” he said. "Everybody should have the right to choose.”
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Also Open Carry would most bring since to the person that is thinking about doing something like that because he/she would see that I am able to protect my self and would think twice about committing his/her crime.
Anyhoo, if you read the actual statistics, more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens does NOT equal more gun violence. It's the opposite, in fact. Check out Massachusettes some time.
I have often thought about how difficult it could be to access a concealed weapon in an emergency. If it was out in the open you would have a much quicker response.
it's basically advertising a free gun for people who otherwise couldn't afford one or buy one. I like concealed weapons way more than I like this- which is pandemonium waiting to happen if this guy gets his piece pick-pocketed while at a shopping mall.
justin, oklahoma city Why do you do people learn CPR... You just never know when you might need to use it.
Bryant, Lindsay & Susan, Oklahoma City. Check your facts before being stupid. Last check that holster is the best in the business. There are 3 levels of holsters and that one is a level 2.
Armbrooke, Pocasset, Thank you I am so glad you are such a good judge of people. I don't know What we would do with out you looking out for us. I am glad you can call me and all the people in the US of A that own guns Nuts Because I can call you nuts too.
Desiderius, Tuttle
Seconds the motion.
Uh, that's because most of the "righties" are old and not computer savvy.