Okla. House panel OKs bill to open carry weapons

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahomans who receive a concealed carry permit would be allowed to openly carry holstered firearms under a bill approved in a House committee.

A House conference committee on Thursday approved the bill by Republican Rep. Steve Martin of Bartlesville. House Bill 2522 bill allows Oklahomans who take a firearms training course and receive a background check to receive a concealed carry permit to also openly carry their weapons. A similar bill is pending in the Senate.

Retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper and Tishomingo Democratic Rep. Paul Roan says he and many other law enforcement officers are concerned that people openly carrying weapons could cause confusion for officers who arrive on the scene of a crime.

But Martin says he expects few people to openly carry weapons.