Oklahoma’s open carry law is in the cross-hairs.
The law goes into effect Thursday. Under it, more than 140,000 Oklahomans with concealed carry permits are now allowed to openly carry handguns.
Thousands more have applied for handgun licenses this month alone.
Soon, Herman Dennis won't be the only one packing heat openly. 17 years as a security guard, and he's never been as worried as he is now.
"I don't like it,” said Dennis.
On November 1, Oklahoma will become one of 44 states that allow some kind of open carry.
"Makes my job harder,” said Dennis.
Dennis said he has no way of knowing who's legally doing it.
"I don't know if you're the good guy or the bad guy, all I know is that you're carrying a gun," said Maximum Cuts Barber shop owner Rico Bowler.
Bowler said soon, he'll be posting reminders: guns, concealed or carried openly won't be welcome in his barber shop.
Governor Fallin released this statement about the new law: "A person carrying a weapon must immediately notify the officer that they are armed."
"We've been counting down the days,” said Scott Hannaford.
Hannaford said the law is the best thing since the state's concealed carry law was passed 17 years ago.
"If you take guns out of law abiding citizen's hands, that just leaves the criminals with the guns,” said Hannaford.
"It’s kind of a nervous situation going on,” said Bowler.
That’s coming from a gun owner.
"I think it's a great responsibility,” said Bowler.
It’ll become the responsibility of police to determine who's out of line; an issue that could mean more 911 calls.
"We anticipate we'll probably get some calls," said Officer Leland Ashley.
"The same person that's open carry, is the same person I might have to deal with," said Dennis.
The gun must be a pistol of .45 caliber or less, and no more than 16 inches long. Also, it must be carried in a holster.
