Oklahoma's Open-Carry Law Goes into Effect Today - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Oklahoma's Open-Carry Law Goes into Effect Today, Amid Mixed Reactions

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahomans with a license to carry a concealed firearm are now able to carry their handguns out in the open.

The state's much-debated open-carry law went into effect Thursday after being approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin earlier this year.

It allows the estimated 141,000 Oklahomans with a license to carry a concealed firearm to also carry their weapons openly in a holster or belt. State officials say they've seen a 40% increase in license applications this year.

Channel 8's Caitlin Alexander caught up with a few members of the Green Country Gun Slingers Wednesday, who said they plan to occasionally openly carry to promote their sport. However, they said they will mostly carry concealed.

"They always teach down there keep it concealed and everything, because you don't need an altercation from anybody wanting to look at your firearm or even try to take your firearm away from you," said Okie Ed.

The law only allows handguns less than 16 inches long and .45 caliber or smaller to be carried openly.

Business owners have the option to ban firearms from their property.

Channel 8 spoke with officials at QuikTrip who said based on experience in other open carry states, for now, it will allow open carry.

Guns still are prohibited, concealed or not, in government buildings and public meetings, bars and taverns, schools, college campuses, and professional sporting events.

Tune in at 6 and 10 p.m. for more information on the new law.

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