Are Oklahomans Armed In The Open 1 Year After Open Carry Became Legal?

It's a typical morning at Beverly's Pancake House. Among the biscuits and bacon, there could be bullets. Beverly's is just one metro business that welcomes people who legally open carry.

Wednesday, November 20th 2013, 10:29 pm

By: News 9


It's a typical morning at Beverly's Pancake House. Among the biscuits and bacon, there could be bullets. Beverly's is just one metro business that welcomes people who legally open carry.

"It really wasn't a big decision for us," Manager Mike Rodriguez said. "Someone comes in and tries to rob the establishment, they may think twice knowing someone is in the restaurant with an open carry or has a weapon."

Rodriguez says despite allowing licensed open carry holders to pack in public, other than the first day of the law he hasn't seen one person in his restaurant doing it.

One year ago, Edmond police showed us the intense training all their officers went through to prepare for more weapons on the streets.

"It's one more decision an officer has to make when they walk into a scenario," Edmond police Sgt. Jeff Richardson said in 2012.

Now Richardson says Edmond police have responded to just one open carry call in the past year.

"I'm not surprised at this point a year later," Richardson said. "But I am surprised we didn't see very many at the beginning."

The state legislature passed open carry in 2012, but some lawmakers want to modify the law during the upcoming 2014 legislative session. Rep. Mike Shelton is considering introducing amendments to the law, like requiring situational or safety training.

"To make sure if they are in a situation that someone is fighting for their gun, that they know how to protect that gun and keep that person from getting that gun," Shelton said.

Shelton believes the extra training could be life-saving.

"Law abiding citizens have gone out and gotten these licenses and that's why you have not had a problem," Shelton said. "But there will arise a time, unfortunately, that something's going to happen. It's just inevitable."

Since Nov. 1, 2012, OSBI tells News 9 more than 60,000 Oklahomans have been approved for an open carry license. Take into account the previous concealed carry license holders who now have the option to carry open, more than 186,000 people can legally carry a firearm in Oklahoma.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

November 20th, 2013

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024