Posted: 12/1/2010 6:51:59 AM EDT
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Let's start a list of resources available on the internet that will help get open carry in Oklahoma.
Here is a good one: http://www.opencarry.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States The year 2005 was overall the safest year in the past thirty years. The recent overall decrease has reflected upon all significant types of crime, with all violent and property crimes having decreased and reached an all-time low. The homicide rate in particular has decreased over 42% between its record high point in 1991 and 2005.
Recently, however, the homicide rate has stagnated.[7] While the homicide rate decreased continuously between 1991 and 2000 from 9.8 homicides per 100,000 persons to 5.5 per 100,000, it has remained level through 2005. Despite the recent stagnation of the homicide rate, however, property and violent crimes overall have continued to decrease, though at a considerably slower pace than in the 1990s.[7] Overall, the crime rate in the U.S. was the same in 2004 as in 1969, with the homicide rate being roughly the same as in 1966. Violent crime overall, however, is still at the same level as in 1974, despite having decreased steadily since 1991.[6] Note: The decrease in crime in the 1990s can be directly attributable to the many states passing concealed carry laws. |
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There are a number of excellent studies available through JSTOR that support the idea that concealed carry has reduced crime.
These studies could construed in a very general way that open carry, by extension, could have the same effect. The Achilles heel, and one the oppostion will surely point out, is that the studies examined concealed carry and not open carry and therefore didn't consider variables unique to open carry. Unfortunately, because open-carry hasn't received nearly the same amount of attention concealed carry has, there don't seem to be any comprehensive studies for or against it that I can find. As open carry becomes more prominent, someone will inevitably pen a study, but there's no way of knowing if it will be for or against. |
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An article from the OU student newspaper:
http://oudaily.com/news/2010/sep/29/column-would-concealed-carry-have-ensured-safety-u/ |
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Oklahoma Crime statistics from 1960 to present:
http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/okcrimn.htm 1995 is marked because it is the year that the SDA first took affect. Correction - 168 violent deaths extra because of the bombing, not the SDA. 
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According to thefreelibrary.com,
11 states allow open carry without permits: Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Vermont, Kentucky, Virginia States that allow open carry with restrictions: (13) Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts States prohibit open carry: (7) New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, Florida http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Which+states+allow+open+carry+in+theUS%3F+%28Full+List%29.-a0206068099 |
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Another article that you might find interesting:
Why Legal Guns Still Cause Arrests. http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=144957 It's basically because the police don't know the laws and are arresting the person with a gun because someone is alarmed. |
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Federal Judge rules open carry is Disorderly Conduct
http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=11406 |
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Quoted:
Another article that you might find interesting: Why Legal Guns Still Cause Arrests. http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=144957 It's basically because the police don't know the laws and are arresting the person with a gun because someone is alarmed. That ought to be an instant "You're Fired!" 
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Here is a GREAT website with a lot of fantastic information for those of you who are stronger 2A advocates: http://www.guncite.com/
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