Oklahoma House passes open-carry firearms legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma House has overwhelmingly adopted legislation to allow gun owners to carry their weapons openly without a state-issued license.

House members voted 73-15 for the measure and sent it to the state Senate for debate and a vote.

The measure’s author, Republican Representative Jeff Coody of Grandfield, says it would allow gun owners to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry firearms openly without government interference. Coody says persons who want to carry a concealed weapon would still be required to obtain a state permit.

Opponents questioned the need for the legislation. Democratic Representative Emily Virgin of Norman says it would eliminate the firearms training required to obtain a license. Virgin says the measure could also increase incidents of domestic violence in the state.