OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A committee of state lawmakers has given preliminary approval to legislation that would allow Oklahomans to openly carry guns without a license, training or background checks.
The House Conference Committee on Public Safety passed the bill, House Bill 3098,Wednesday.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Jeff Coody, says he needs signatures from seven committee members in the House or Senate before a hearing can be scheduled on the House floor before the session ends May 27.
The bill would allow adults over 21 and without a felony conviction to openly carry firearms without a license, training or background checks.
Several business, government and education groups, including the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, oppose the measure. Coody calls their concerns "overblown."
