"Open Carry" bill in committee in Oklahoma

[NewMoonTherian]

HB 1414 has been referred to the house Public Safety Committee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 21 O.S. 2001, Section 1289.6, is amended to read as follows:
Section 1289.6
CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH FIREARMS MAY BE CARRIED
A. A person shall be permitted to carry loaded and unloaded shotguns, rifles and pistols, open and not concealed and without a handgun license as authorized by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, Sections 1 through 25 of this act, pursuant to the following conditions:
1. When hunting animals or fowl;
2. During competition in or practicing in a safety or hunter safety class, target shooting, skeet, trap or other recognized sporting events;
3. During participation in or in preparation for a military function of the state military forces to be defined as the Oklahoma Army or Air National Guard, Federal Military Reserve and active military forces;
4. During participation in or in preparation for a recognized police function of either a municipal, county or state government as functioning police officials;
5. During a practice for or a performance for entertainment purposes; or
6. When carried in a belt holster that is wholly or partially visible, or carried in a scabbard or case designed for carrying firearms that is wholly or partially visible; or
7. For any legitimate purpose not in violation of the Oklahoma Firearms Act of 1971, Sections 1289.1 through 1289.17 of this title or any legislative enactment regarding the use, ownership and control of firearms.
B. A person shall be permitted to carry unloaded shotguns, rifles and pistols, open and not concealed and without a handgun license as authorized by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act pursuant to the following conditions:
1. When going to or from the person's private residence or vehicle of the person or a vehicle in which the person is riding as a passenger to a place designated or authorized for firearms repairs or reconditioning, or for firearms trade, sale, or barter, or gunsmith, or hunting animals or fowl, or hunter safety course, or target shooting, or skeet or trap shooting or any recognized firearms activity or event and while in such places; or
2. For any legitimate purpose not in violation of the Oklahoma Firearms Act of 1971, Sections 1289.1 through 1289.17 of this title.
C. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit educational or recreational activities, exhibitions, displays or shows involving the use or display of rifles, shotguns or pistols or other weapons if the activity is approved by the property owner and sponsor of the activity.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2009.

Last I heard, committee chair Sue Tibbs refuses to hear the bill.

[spin]

1. Well one good thing is that Sue Tibbs is a Republican...

Sue Tibbs
Currently Elected State Representative District 23 Oklahoma
Party: Oklahoma Republican Party
http://www.vote-ok.org/Intro.aspx?Id=OKTibbsSue

Note: I'm not real fond of open carry. I prefer to carry concealed.

edited to add:

Welcome to DU

[AlinPA]

2. It appears A.6 allows one to carry (loaded) at any time not restricted to participation

in hunting, recreations, etc., then B.1 says it has to be unloaded and limited to situations more restrictive. Confusing.

[NewMoonTherian]

3. That's one of the reasons I posted here.

Hoping some of our brilliant legal minds could make some more sense of it.

From a tactical standpoint, I'm on the fence regarding open carry. I carry concealed, and if open carry were to pass, I'd still do so in almost all situations. It does offer another option though, with the additional small benefit of not requiring a $300 license. If I were to forget my billfold at home one day, I could switch to open carry and remain "legal".

[AlinPA]

5. I figure if a person has a right to a gun they should be able to carry it openly anywhere.

I don't have any tactical reason to hide it anywhere. If guns were openly carried, people would get used to it over time. The U.S. is wrapped up in knots over laws and wording in laws because they can't deal with one of their rights. (please don't take that as preaching at you) Thanks for putting this post up.

[Big_Mike]

4. Lookkat the last word of B.1

where it says "or" and B.2 says for any purpose not against state laws.