Oklahoma lawmakers are locked and loaded and moving a proposal the furthest it has since former Governor Brad Henry was in office.
HB2522, the Open Carry proposal, would allow people with concealed carry permits to openly carry a weapon.
Henry vetoed a similar proposal two years ago.
“It's a scary thought,” said Tulsan Bobby McGee.
One mother doesn’t like the thought of someone carrying a weapon at a park with her kids around.
"There is too much room for error. We can't take a chance,” said Suzanne Blagg.
"We don't want a man out here with a gun where all the kids can see it. One more thing you have to explain to your child."
Nineteen states have constitutional carry which is open carry without restrictions except for federal regulations.
"I say be responsible and not just the Wild West,” said Tulsan John Wheeler.
Spokespeople for Open Carry.org and the Oklahoma Second Amendment say they don’t agree with concealed carry restriction.
In a statement:
OpenCarry.org and OK2A join in urging the Oklahoma legislature to remove the licensure requirement from the open carry bill, or alternatively, at least lower the concealed carry license age to 18.
Forty-three states have some type of open carry law.
"We don't want people walking around with guns on your hip,” said Blagg.
While some Tulsans are hesitant, many say 'we have rights.'
“It is getting more dangerous around Tulsa,” said Wheeler. "If the person is reasonable and sober I could see."
Representative Tommy Hardin and Representative Paul Roan, also a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, voted against HB2522 in the Public Safety committee.
Hardin says he supports open carry but says it’s a public safety issue and would like it to be required that some openly carry make it obvious they carrying a weapon and also display the open carry license.
Representative Roan says it is a return of the “lawless days of yesteryear” and poses a safety concern for police.
HB 2522 now goes to the House floor for a vote.
