| Updated: 6/20/2012 9:17 am |
Published: 6/19/2012 9:09 pm
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When Gov. Fallin pulled the trigger on the open carry law, Evan Wilbanks started predicting problems.
He's a firearms instructor and while he stands for the second amendment, he also believes carrying a gun openly goes too far.
"I'm not a big advocate of walking into an establishment with a firearm. I feel it makes you a target,” said Wilbanks.
The bill prohibits carrying firearms on city, state, or federal property. You can't pack heat in schools or sporting events either.
"I’m not a gun enthusiast personally," said Bill Hermann.
Hermann patrols his south Tulsa neighborhood daily for anything that looks out of place. He’s part of the Citizen's Alert Patrol.
Hermann said he's worried about random people walking around his neighborhood with guns very much visible come November.
"Raises the level of tension when guns are available," said Hermann.
To carry openly you'll have to take a firearms safety and training course. You'll also have to submit to a background check by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and get a permit similar to the concealed carry permit.
Anyone convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors can't have a handgun license.
A steady flow of students show up for firearms lessons every week. Wilbanks said the most important lesson for people if they're going to carry openly is advanced training courses.
"Understanding what is defensive force and what is deadly force," said Wilbanks.
Otherwise, he fears a lot of people could be in the line of fire.
One firearms instructor we spoke with said he has talked to people who assume open carry means no permit necessary. That is not the case you do need a permit for open or concealed carry.
Police said they'll have the authority to ask anyone who is carrying a gun to show their permit.
