OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that would allow for the open carrying of guns.
Senate Bill 1733, by Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, heads to the House after securing Senate approval by a vote of 34-9.
Sykes said the measure would allow those who have a concealed-carry permit to openly carry a gun or carry concealed.
“Several other states have open carry,” Sykes said. “They are doing fine.”
Sykes said the purpose of the measure was to have a well-regulated militia and support the right of the people to bear arms.
Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, said the state was in compliance with the Second Amendment without the measure.
Sykes said the measure was a right step in enforcing Second Amendment rights.
He said he was not prepared to field questions about locations where the open carrying of weapons would be banned. He said his bill deals with the manner in which weapons are carried, not the location.
Sykes said those who get a license would have to take an educational course, which includes weapons safety, weapons familiarization and how to operate the weapon.
Participants would have to fire the weapon and show they are able to load, unload and clear it, Sykes said. They also would be required to pass a background check, he said.
Cities and counties could not pass measures banning open carry if state law allowed it, Sykes said.
Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, said he would like to have the opportunity to have an assault rifle on his back while campaigning.
Wilson, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War, said that, “What we are talking about is amateurs carrying weapons.” Even those who attend the course are still amateurs, he said.
“We are going to have a bunch of amateurs trying to intimidate people,” Wilson said.
Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Oklahoma City, said there are too many potential adverse outcomes that could happen as a result of the bill.
“I know boys and toys are a big deal,” she said.
She said she is aware Sykes has a strong interest in seeing the measure become law.
“I hope that girl in the Governor’s Office if it gets that far will say, ‘That is enough, boys,’ ” Johnson said.
Republicans voting yes
Mark Allen, Spiro; Patrick Anderson, Enid; Don Barrington, Lawton; Brian Bingman, Sapulpa; Cliff Branan, Oklahoma City; Josh Brecheen, Coalgate; Rick Brinkley, Owasso; Bill Brown, Broken Arrow; Greg Childers, Del City; Harry Coates, Seminole; Brian Crain, Tulsa; Kim David, Porter; Eddie Fields, Wynona; John Ford; Bartlesville; Jim Halligan, Stillwater; David Holt, Oklahoma City; Rob Johnson, Kingfisher; Clark Jolley, Edmond; Ron Justice, Chickasha; Bryce Marlatt, Woodward; Mike Mazzei, Tulsa; Dan Newberry, Tulsa; Jonathan Nichols, Norman; Mike Schulz, Altus; Ralph Shortey, Oklahoma City; Frank Simpson, Ardmore; Gary Stanislawski; Tulsa; Anthony Sykes, Moore; and Greg Treat, Oklahoma City.
Republicans voting no
None
Republicans not voting
Cliff Aldridge, Midwest City; and Steve Russell, Oklahoma City
Democrats voting yes
Jerry Ellis, Valliant; Earl Garrison, Muskogee; Tom Ivester, Sayre; Susan Paddack, Ada; and John Sparks, Norman.
Democrats voting no
Tom Adelson, Tulsa; Roger Ballenger, Okmulgee; Randy Bass, Lawton; Judy Eason McIntyre, Tulsa; Constance Johnson, Oklahoma City; Charlie Laster, Shawnee; Richard Lerblance, Hartshorne; Al McAffrey, Oklahoma City; and Jim Wilson, Tahlequah.
Democrats not voting
Sean Burrage, Claremore; Charles Wyrick, Fairland
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=336&articleid=20120315_16_A1_OKLAHO557850
