Oklahoma Senate Panel Amends, Passes Open Carry Bill

The requirements to openly carry a handgun in Oklahoma have been changed in one of two bills in the state legislature.

A bill passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee Thursday would require people who want to openly carry guns to have a document showing they had instruction on the law and firearms training -- but no license.

The bill substituted an open carry bill that passed the House and required a person to have a license to carry handgun -- either concealed or openly.

Sen. Steve Russell says that language conveys to the public that people need a license to bear arms.

The Senate has passed a separate bill by Sen. Anthony Sykes to allow people who have a concealed carry permit to openly carry a handgun.