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Oklahoma new open carry law

Oklahoma - Oklahoma prepares for a new law that will make guns a common sight.

Starting Thursday November 1st, Oklahoma will give residents who are licensed to carry a concealed firearm the choice to carry a weapon out in the open.

They would be required to display the handgun in a belt or shoulder holster, it could be loaded or unloaded.

Around 142,000 men and women in the state are already licensed to carry concealed weapons.

Those in support of gun rights say the ability to open carry would help deter crime and would enhance the ability for residents to exercise their second amendment rights.

Oklahoma officials say there have been no incidents of misuse of a firearm in the past, proving that gun owners are responsible.

Many gun ranges say they have been swamped with people wanting to take open carry classes because of all the attention this new law is bringing.

To be eligible for a carry permit, a person must be a U.S. citizen, an established resident, at least 21 years old and must have completed a firearms safety and training course.

When the law goes into effect Thursday, Oklahoma will become the 15th state to allow residents to openly carry firearms if they have a license.

Several states who have adopted the law include Utah, Iowa and Connecticut.

Some states allow unconcealed firearms to be carried, without a license, such as New Mexico and Nevada.

According to OpenCarry.org, all but six states and the District of Columbia allow some form of open carry.

Texas government allows universities to create their own concealed carry policies.

Wednesday the student senate at Texas A&M will vote on their universities personal protection bill.

If passed, this would allow individuals with a concealed handgun license to carry a concealed handgun inside buildings on campus.

Texas A&M already allows concealed carry on campus grounds.

Bill supporters argue that this policy essentially doesn't allow for anyone to carry concealed handguns since they can't go inside buildings.

This law is also raising some concerns, Oklahoma Law Enforcement says they're worried residents will flood 911 call centers anytime they see someone carrying a gun, so they are cautioning against it.

Some Oklahoma business owners are not excited about people carrying their handguns openly inside the premises.