Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Health Care Lawsuit Bill, Open-Carry Bill

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry vetoed legislation Friday that would have allowed Oklahomans to openly carry a gun in public.

The Governor cited safety concerns by law enforcement as his reason for vetoing the bill.

State law allows properly trained and licensed citizens to carry concealed handguns for their protection, but the open-carry law would have expanded the law to allow them to carry the firearm openly.

Supporters say the law would deter criminals, but law enforcement officials say it would make it more difficult for officers to determine the difference between criminals and law-abiding citizens.

"I'm a strong supporter of the right to bear arms and have earned an A rating from the NRA, but this measure does nothing to strengthen 2nd Amendment protections," said Gov. Henry. "We already allow trained and licensed Oklahomans to protect themselves by carrying concealed handguns, and it doesn't make anyone safer to wear a holster and display that weapon to the rest of the public."

5/4/2010 Related Story: Oklahoma House Sends Open Carry Bill To Governor

Governor Henry also vetoed legislation that would have allowed Oklahoma to 'opt out' of the federal health care plan and allow the state legislature to sue the federal government.

Henry said the bill "would trigger a futile legal battle and a possible loss of federal health care funding."

5/4/2010 Related Story: Oklahoma Senate OKs Federal Health Care 'Opt Out'