Business owners approach open carry law differently, many wait and see

Signs banning, or welcoming, legal firearms are not widespread. Business owners face a difficult decision: if they ban firearms, will they alienate pro-gun customers? But if they allow them, will customers become uncomfortable if someone comes in carrying a gun?

Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma is one example of a business that posted signs banning guns at its retail stores after open carry became law. Chief Executive Chris Daniels explained the move was made to protect its employees, many of whom are disabled and could become anxious about the presence of a gun in the store.

A customer contacted Daniels last week to complain about the policy and the inconvenience he faced returning to his vehicle to store his firearm. But, Daniels said, after he explained the company's position, the customer understood and asked if there was anything he could do to help.

Daniels said the company is open to revising its policy but officials believed they needed to take a quick stance before it became an issue.

“We thought we needed to get a hold of it quickly until we could gather some more information,” Daniels said.

On the other end of the spectrum, customers entering Casa De Los Milagros Mexican Restaurant and Cantina encounter two signs on the door. The first reads “Your legal carry firearm is welcome here!” and shows a handgun with a red heart around it. The other reads “Nothing on this property is worth your life!” The signs were created by crimeseen.com, an Edmond-based security company.

During a busy lunch hour this week, it didn't appear any customers were openly carrying a gun at the restaurant. A manager on-site declined to comment on the signs and the owners didn't return a message left by The Oklahoman.

At the Warren Theatres in Moore, a list of the company's rules is etched into the exterior glass doors. The top one prohibits open carry. Patrons legally carrying a concealed handgun, however, are permitted.

The Warren Theatres and Casa De Los Milagros were two of several businesses contacted that declined to discuss their policy for this report.

Law arrives with little drama

When open carry became law in Oklahoma, any person with a concealed carry license automatically became able to carry a handgun openly as well. The change came with very little drama because most people who carry a concealed weapon weren't planning to openly carry, said Miles Hall, who owns H&H Shooting Sports Complex in Oklahoma City.

Permit holders were more concerned with accidentally exposing their concealed handgun if, for instance, they reached for their wallet, he explained. Now, that isn't illegal. They also wanted to be able to openly carry a weapon on their own land, which the new law allows.

Open carry is permitted inside H&H, but the store does ask patrons not to handle their guns — a practice they've had for years, Hall said.

Attorney Matthew Love, who has counseled police departments on the law, said businesses retain a lot of discretion on how they handle firearms inside their establishment.