http://www.news-star.com/article/20121029/NEWS/121029696
Open carry decisions: Shawnee businesses mull weapons policies for new law Nov. 1
Shawnee area business owners are preparing for changes Thursday when Oklahoma becomes an open carry handgun state. While many area business owners say they dont plan to have a policy or signs to prohibit firearms, several others remain undecided what to do while Shawnee Mall has definite plans in place for a no weapons policy.
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By Kim Morava
Oct. 29, 2012 2:43 p.m.
Shawnee area business owners are preparing for changes Thursday when Oklahoma becomes an open carry handgun state. While many area business owners say they dont plan to have a policy or signs to prohibit firearms, several others remain undecided what to do while Shawnee Mall has definite plans in place for a no weapons policy.
Senate Bill 1733 was signed in May by Gov. Mary Fallin and amended the Self Defense Act to allow those who are licensed by the state to openly carry their firearms effective Nov. 1.
Thats when more than 140,000 licensed Oklahomans can choose to carry openly or continue to carry their weapons concealed. There are restrictions to open carry, as weapons must be .45 caliber or less, and all firearms must be in a belt or shoulder holster.
Even with the new law, firearms are still prohibited in federal, state or local government buildings or properties, including schools and universities. Firearms also are prohibited in bars, at arenas during sporting events and any business that elects to prohibit them. That means its up to private business owners to decide if and how they want to restrict entry into their business, whether allowing both open and concealed carry, concealed carry only, or not allowing firearms at all. If the latter is the case, then business owners cant prohibit the possession or storage of a firearm inside a persons vehicle in that business parking lot.
Shawnee Mall is taking proactive measures to install signs to prohibit firearms inside the mall, but there also are other business owners who havent yet made a definitive decision on policies one way or another. Other local businesses report they wont have any restrictions against their customers openly carrying firearms inside their stores.
Phil Hartoon, owner of Hartoons jewelry in Shawnee, doesnt plan on putting any restrictions on weapons at his business.
As a carrier of a concealed weapon himself, he said a sign or restriction wouldnt matter if a criminal wanted to come in with a weapon, so hes not worried about his customers.
If I put a sign up not to carry, the only people wholl obey is the honest people, Hartoon said.
At Erics Pharmacy, an NRA sticker is already posted on the business window, said Marketing Director Jennifer Baker. She said theyre in favor of gun carrying laws so she doesnt expect any restrictions.
I dont think there will be any signs going up here, she said.
Bentons Café also doesnt plan to restrict patrons who pack heat.
Owner Sherry Wingfield said at this point, theyre not going to put any policies in place unless they experience problems.
Dana Scott, an owner of Billy Boy Barbecue and Pauls Place, has a concealed license himself and said there wont be any restrictions there either.
Walmart Spokeswoman Kayla Whaling, who said the companys policy is to follow all state and local laws for open carry, also said there wont be restrictions at the Shawnee store.
We strive to provide a safe environment for our customers and associates, she said.
But at the nearby Shawnee Mall, visitors there will be welcomed with new signs banning weapons inside the mall.
General Manager Scott Kingrey said those signs have arrived and will be placed at entrances into the mall parking lots that weapons arent allowed inside the mall building so gun owners will know to leave them locked in their vehicles as the law allows.
Signs also will be placed at the entrances to the building. By having signs in both places, theyre hoping not to inconvenience their customers, he said. Banning weapons once open carry becomes law was a decision that came after research and planning, including consulting with the malls owners and security contractors, Kingrey said.
Owners of other Shawnee area businesses are still undecided on what to do and arent sure how theyll react Thursday, so they are going to take a wait and see approach.
Suzanne Gilbert, owner of Tecumseh Tag Agency, said while she is not opposed to a persons right to bear arms, shes also not sure how other customers might respond.
We do not want people to be fearful to come into a public place if someone else is carrying a gun on their hip, she said. Were not sure what to do.
And while Gilbert said a firm decision hasnt been made, she has been researching the issue and visiting with other tag agents for a consensus.
Tom Willoughby, owner of Del Plaza Barbering, said he hasnt thought a whole lot about the new law just yet so he also remains undecided.
Frank Oliver, owner of Hardesty Grocery, said hes also going to hold off on a decision to see what unfolds after Nov. 1.
At Benedict Street Marketplace, We havent even talked about it, said owner Paula Barber.
The same holds true for S&S Farm Center, where Manager Tammy Kline said they also havent considered the issue yet.
Buford White of Whites Ace Building Center, also plans to wait and see what happens before making any decisions there, adding hes had those on both sides of the gun issue trade at his store.
I dont want to offend anyone, White said, adding he believes people will openly carry at first, then more will continue to conceal carry as they have been doing.
I dont think this will change anything too much, White said.
I guess they won't be getting any of my business anymore. They've allowed CC for years, now all of the sudden we present a threat.
Open carry decisions: Shawnee businesses mull weapons policies for new law Nov. 1
Shawnee area business owners are preparing for changes Thursday when Oklahoma becomes an open carry handgun state. While many area business owners say they dont plan to have a policy or signs to prohibit firearms, several others remain undecided what to do while Shawnee Mall has definite plans in place for a no weapons policy.
2 0
By Kim Morava
Oct. 29, 2012 2:43 p.m.
Shawnee area business owners are preparing for changes Thursday when Oklahoma becomes an open carry handgun state. While many area business owners say they dont plan to have a policy or signs to prohibit firearms, several others remain undecided what to do while Shawnee Mall has definite plans in place for a no weapons policy.
Senate Bill 1733 was signed in May by Gov. Mary Fallin and amended the Self Defense Act to allow those who are licensed by the state to openly carry their firearms effective Nov. 1.
Thats when more than 140,000 licensed Oklahomans can choose to carry openly or continue to carry their weapons concealed. There are restrictions to open carry, as weapons must be .45 caliber or less, and all firearms must be in a belt or shoulder holster.
Even with the new law, firearms are still prohibited in federal, state or local government buildings or properties, including schools and universities. Firearms also are prohibited in bars, at arenas during sporting events and any business that elects to prohibit them. That means its up to private business owners to decide if and how they want to restrict entry into their business, whether allowing both open and concealed carry, concealed carry only, or not allowing firearms at all. If the latter is the case, then business owners cant prohibit the possession or storage of a firearm inside a persons vehicle in that business parking lot.
Shawnee Mall is taking proactive measures to install signs to prohibit firearms inside the mall, but there also are other business owners who havent yet made a definitive decision on policies one way or another. Other local businesses report they wont have any restrictions against their customers openly carrying firearms inside their stores.
Phil Hartoon, owner of Hartoons jewelry in Shawnee, doesnt plan on putting any restrictions on weapons at his business.
As a carrier of a concealed weapon himself, he said a sign or restriction wouldnt matter if a criminal wanted to come in with a weapon, so hes not worried about his customers.
If I put a sign up not to carry, the only people wholl obey is the honest people, Hartoon said.
At Erics Pharmacy, an NRA sticker is already posted on the business window, said Marketing Director Jennifer Baker. She said theyre in favor of gun carrying laws so she doesnt expect any restrictions.
I dont think there will be any signs going up here, she said.
Bentons Café also doesnt plan to restrict patrons who pack heat.
Owner Sherry Wingfield said at this point, theyre not going to put any policies in place unless they experience problems.
Dana Scott, an owner of Billy Boy Barbecue and Pauls Place, has a concealed license himself and said there wont be any restrictions there either.
Walmart Spokeswoman Kayla Whaling, who said the companys policy is to follow all state and local laws for open carry, also said there wont be restrictions at the Shawnee store.
We strive to provide a safe environment for our customers and associates, she said.
But at the nearby Shawnee Mall, visitors there will be welcomed with new signs banning weapons inside the mall.
General Manager Scott Kingrey said those signs have arrived and will be placed at entrances into the mall parking lots that weapons arent allowed inside the mall building so gun owners will know to leave them locked in their vehicles as the law allows.
Signs also will be placed at the entrances to the building. By having signs in both places, theyre hoping not to inconvenience their customers, he said. Banning weapons once open carry becomes law was a decision that came after research and planning, including consulting with the malls owners and security contractors, Kingrey said.
Owners of other Shawnee area businesses are still undecided on what to do and arent sure how theyll react Thursday, so they are going to take a wait and see approach.
Suzanne Gilbert, owner of Tecumseh Tag Agency, said while she is not opposed to a persons right to bear arms, shes also not sure how other customers might respond.
We do not want people to be fearful to come into a public place if someone else is carrying a gun on their hip, she said. Were not sure what to do.
And while Gilbert said a firm decision hasnt been made, she has been researching the issue and visiting with other tag agents for a consensus.
Tom Willoughby, owner of Del Plaza Barbering, said he hasnt thought a whole lot about the new law just yet so he also remains undecided.
Frank Oliver, owner of Hardesty Grocery, said hes also going to hold off on a decision to see what unfolds after Nov. 1.
At Benedict Street Marketplace, We havent even talked about it, said owner Paula Barber.
The same holds true for S&S Farm Center, where Manager Tammy Kline said they also havent considered the issue yet.
Buford White of Whites Ace Building Center, also plans to wait and see what happens before making any decisions there, adding hes had those on both sides of the gun issue trade at his store.
I dont want to offend anyone, White said, adding he believes people will openly carry at first, then more will continue to conceal carry as they have been doing.
I dont think this will change anything too much, White said.
I guess they won't be getting any of my business anymore. They've allowed CC for years, now all of the sudden we present a threat.
