OKLAHOMA CITY, May 5 (UPI) -- A measure allowing Oklahoma residents with concealed-carry licenses to carry their guns openly has received final legislative approval.
The bill is now in the hands of Gov. Brad Henry, the Tulsa World reported. It passed the state House of Representatives 74-24 on Tuesday.
State Rep. Rex Duncan, a Republican who sponsored the bill, said businesses can still ban guns. The legislation does not change the existing law barring guns from bars and taverns.
"This legislation should actually reduce the chance of violence," Duncan said. "A criminal is far less likely to attack once he sees a citizen is armed."
But police are not enthusiastic about the law. Russell Knoke, spokesman of the Oklahoma State Troopers Association, said it can be hard to figure out "who is the good guy and who is the bad guy" when everyone is armed.
Rep. Pam Peterson, a Republican who has a concealed-carry permit, said she fears more businesses may ban guns if people can bring them in openly.
