TexasCHLforum.com

OSBI = Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, equivelent to our DPS

chasfm11 wrote:

Keith B wrote: I guess he is technically correct as NJ allows licensed open carry just as OK does.

I lived there 3 years. If it is technically correct, that is a very well kept secret. I suspect that OC in NJ would be a sure way to exercise the "suicide by cop." scenario.

Apparently NJ doesn't distinguish between open and concealed carry in their law, so as you say it may technically be correct, but may not be a smart move.

chasfm11 wrote:

wally775 wrote:I did not post a link because it is a locked page and
reguires a login to access the article. If you can tell me how I will be glad
to link the article.
I am just not that savy with the computer.
Sorry.

Is this the article?
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-ne ... ursday.ece

If so, it appears to have some interesting "facts" The author cites NJ as one of the places that allow OC. Hmmm. Perhaps for a very few but overall NJ is a "May Issue" state and regular citizens cannot get a CCW let alone OC.

I guess he is technically correct as NJ allows licensed open carry just as OK does.

azwe wrote:

RSJ wrote:

azwe wrote:You guys realize that you aren't allowed to open carry in Oklahoma with a Texas CHL, right? The law only applies to residents of OK who are licensed and other state residents who are licensed to open carry. Texas only licenses conceal carry so open carrying in Oklahoma is against the law. I've spoken to OSBI and the AG and they agree.

I have been told otherwise. Do you happen to have a letter from OSBI or AG? I am thinking of asking for a formal written response.

My alternative would be to get an OK ID card and take the CHL/OC class.

Yeah I should probably do that. All of my conversations have been over the phone. Not sure who you have talked to but nobody in law enforcement has told me that it is legal. I only brought it up because I live in OK but my license is in Texas.

I don't believe they are interpreting it correctly. Here is the way teh law is written:

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT AUTHORITY

The State of Oklahoma hereby recognizes any valid concealed or unconcealed carry weapons permit or license issued by another state.

Any person entering this state in possession of a firearm authorized for concealed or unconcealed carry upon the authority and license of another state is authorized to continue to carry a concealed or unconcealed firearm and license in this state; provided the license from the other state remains valid. The firearm must either be carried fully unconcealed or concealed from detection and view, and upon coming in contact with any peace officer of this state, the person must disclose the fact that he or she is in possession of a concealed or unconcealed firearm pursuant to a valid concealed or unconcealed carry weapons permit or license issued in another state. Any person who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older having a valid firearm license from another state may apply for a concealed handgun license in this state immediately upon establishing a residence in this state.

Doesn't say the license type must match. It says if you have a concealed OR unconcealed license, then you can carry concealed OR unconcealed. If you have talked to the AG, then he needs to issue an AG Opinion ofifcially.

I don't disagree that LEO's need to know the law on this before they go in and hassle the folks carrying. They should know the law on open carry, especially in Missouri. However, it is not seen frequently, so that is another reason people call and the LEO's show up. One other thing is we really don't know what the caller is telling the dispatcher when they call, so there could be 'enhancements' to the story that is being passed to the police by a 'concerned citizen'.

Bottom line, open carry in a metro coffee shop will probably get the police called on you. Open carry in a small ranching community at the local coffee shop will get you a nice conversation about how well you like your firearm.

Heartland Patriot wrote:[Alright, I understand. And I agree that there will be issues in Oklahoma. However, like I've said before, I personally would stick with concealed carry for urban situations, and likely utilize open carry in more rural settings. I think like many other things in life, you do what fits the situation the best...it would simply be nice to have that option.

It's gonna happen, no matter if it is legal or not. Here is another one in Kansas City, MO last year at an OC meeting in Steak and Shake where a MWAG call was made to police. Again, open carry has never been illegal in the state, just in some municipalities. This is not one of the cities where it is illegal.

[youtube][/youtube]

Heartland Patriot wrote: KeithB, are you saying that the people of the State of Oklahoma, and of all the other open carry states, have a better public opinion of firearms, than the people of the State of Texas? Despite Texas being known far and wide as a "gun friendly state"? In fact, I think a lot of people are surprised that Texas DOESN'T have open carry. Some things work well with the "go slow" approach, but sometimes its like ripping off that bandaid...you just have to go for it, IMO.

No, I am saying that no matter what state you live in you will have areas that are gun friendly and those that aren't. Missouri has ALWAYS had open carry and if you walk into a city with it on your hip, even where it's not illegal, you are likely to get the police called on you. Here is an example of an occurrence in St. Charles, MO where it has never been illegal to carry openly

[youtube][/youtube]

It will happen in Oklahoma too. Some people will not understand the issue, and until they are educated they will be making calls to 911.

recaffeination wrote:

Keith B wrote:There is nothing wrong with open carry if done when and where it will be accepted. The whole argument that usually gets started is that EVERYONE should accept it and just live with it. While that would be a great thing, it is a fantasy. There are always going to be those that will be alarmed at seeing a non-LEO with a gun strapped to their hip.

I think that's where we as gun people so often drop the ball instead of taking the moral high ground. There are people who are offended at seeing interracial couples but the answer isn't to prohibit them from openly holding hands in public. There are people who are alarmed when they see a dark skinned man with a beard wearing a turban but the answer isn't to ban turbans or beards in public. Catering to intolerance and phobias is not productive.

It's not that they will be offended because of the gun, but frightened. I agree it is irrational, but flaunting a gun in someones face and forcing them to accept it will not work. It boils down to proper education and conditioning of the public. A more accepting view of racial differences or cultural fear has not happened overnight (and there are those who STILL won't accept it), and neither will getting some people to accept that a person walking around with a gun on their hip is not a threat. Figuratively beating them over the head with it will just alienate the populous. We have to work to show them it is a good thing, and not a bad one. Remember your conflict resolution in CHL training. We have to stay in the adult mode and work with them. Going into the parent mode and telling them they will like the fact you have a gun on will only put them into the child mode and they will buck against the change.

There is nothing wrong with open carry if done when and where it will be accepted. The whole argument that usually gets started is that EVERYONE should accept it and just live with it. While that would be a great thing, it is a fantasy. There are always going to be those that will be alarmed at seeing a non-LEO with a gun strapped to their hip.

The thing to remember about Oklahoma is it is going to be LICENSED open carry, so you must have a handgun license (no longer going to be called a 'concealed' license) to carry openly. This will also mean if a LEO sees someone with a gun open carrying they will have the option of requesting to see your license. I can see this being a real easy method for Chief or DA who doesn't like open carry to direct their officers to check everyone. It would become real nightmare at some place like the State Fair or other location where officers are all over the place.

I came from a very gun friendly state (Missouri) and open carry is allowed there in general, but municipalities can ban it. There are some cities that open carry is illegal, so you have to know where you can and can't carry. Personally, when I go back to visit I rarely open carry unless out in the rural area or on family property. In town it is just better to cover it and leave it alone.