Oklahoma gun laws: Welcome to the Wild West

Austin Stallings
Journalism Intern

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – A new and incredibly lenient open carry law has passed overwhelmingly through the state House of Representatives with a final tally of 73-15. This law may change the landscape of gun ownership in Oklahoma drastically.

According to KFOR: "Under this bill, if you wanted to carry your weapon under your clothes or in your purse, you'd still have to get your concealed carry license, but, if you wanted to carry a gun out in the open, under this bill, you would not have to go through any training or get a permit to do that."

The debate over this legislation lasted longer than any other debate on the House floor Thursday, and was said to be heated during some moments.

Representative Jeff Coody authored the bill.

"It only allows individuals who are legally able to own a weapon, who are not felons, who are over the age of 21, for peaceful purposes, defensive purposes, to carry in the open without a permit," Coody said.

Representatives that argued the bill stated that it could lead to an increased problem in the area of public safety in the state of Oklahoma.

"This isn't the wild west," said Rep. Jason Dunnington who voted no on the bill. "So you have situations where you have gun shows and they don't do background checks, and now you have someone that could go to a gun show, buy a gun without a background check and openly carry it anywhere they wanted in Oklahoma."

Supporters of this bill believe that it is crucial to preserving their second amendment rights.

The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.

The Gayly 3/11/2016 4:22 p.m. CST