By Associated Press
Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. governor vetoes 2 bills
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed legislation that would have allowed Oklahomans to wear handguns in public view.
Henry vetoed the measure on Friday. The governor also vetoed legislation that would have prohibited Oklahoma from following the new federal health care law and authorized the Legislature to file a lawsuit over the issue.
The governor says he vetoed the open carry bill over safety concerns cited by law enforcement.
Proponents of open carry laws claim criminals will be discouraged from committing lawless acts if other citizens are publicly displaying their weapons on the street.
But Henry says law enforcement officials disagree. He says openly carrying weapons makes it more difficult for officers to determine the difference between criminals and law-abiding citizens at a crime scene or domestic disturbance.