Oklahomans with handgun licenses may carry firearms in the open as of Nov. 1. Even with this new law in place, citizens may still be banned from carrying firearms into certain places.

According to www.newson6. com, firearms are banned in areas such as schools, federal buildings, courthouses and sports arenas. Private businesses have the option to ban or allow firearms.

Why do people feel it is so important to be allowed to carry a gun openly, visible for everyone to see?

It seems to me it would be more of a hassle than help having to worry about whether you will be able to take in your gun at each individual place you visit.

If you have been watching the local news lately, you may have heard Oklahoma City now ranks number nine for cities with the highest crime rates.

This being said, I feel the new law is a bad idea. In a society where we live in fear the person next to us is a criminal, letting citizens walk around with weapons clearly exposed is like feeding the flame.

Some may argue the law is necessary to protect themselves; however, I feel it does quite the opposite.

I agree that people have the right to protect themselves. But what kind of message are we sending by allowing residents to walk around stores and supermarkets with a gun clearly visible?

There is a difference between carrying a concealed weapon for protection and just flaunting one.

What we are doing is encouraging violence and making it harder to distinguish between those who are bad and those who are simply trying to protect themselves.

As seen with the recent movie theater shooting in Colorado and past school shootings, there is no sure way to prevent people from causing problems.

When it comes down to it, if someone really wants to bring in a gun, whether allowed or not, they will find a way to do so.

By allowing open carry, we are only causing more chaos and adding to the state of paranoia we already live in.

My hope is Oklahomans will make the best of this new law by educating themselves and demonstrating caution if and when they choose to carry a gun.

—Erin Peden

Staff Writer

To contact Erin Peden, email staffwriter1@occc.edu.