OKLAHOMA CITY (TNS) — Last month, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed Rep. Jeff Coody’s "Constitutional Open Carry Bill" that would do away with permit and training requirements for gun owners.

OKLAHOMA CITY (TNS) — Last month, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed Rep. Jeff Coody’s "Constitutional Open Carry Bill" that would do away with permit and training requirements for gun owners.

The 73-15 vote pushed the bill into Senate consideration, drawing criticism and support along the way and sparking debate on social media.

Coody, who took office in 2014, said the topic has been on his mind for some time.

"It’s always just kind of struck me as odd that we can own and carry at home and on our property, but if we ever walk off of our home or property and we feel the need to be protected, without that permission and that fee that we pay the government, we’re in violation of the law," Coody said.

Some lawmakers, like Sen. Emily Virgin (D-Norman), have responded critically to the bill on the grounds that a proliferation of guns in the open could be dangerous and will make people feel unsafe.

"I see this bill as highly unnecessary," Virgin said. "I have never heard a constituent complain that they are not able to get a permit to carry their gun or that the current requirements are too burdensome. I fear that this will lead to people carrying guns who are not trained whatsoever in gun safety. Especially in a year when we have so many other things to worry about, it’s unfortunate we’re considering legislation like this. I was also very concerned that there did not seem to be any protections for domestic violence victims."

Coody said that he is sensitive to people’s fears, but said that his plan is focused on the rights of Oklahomans. He said that 30 states already have similar laws on the books and the fears some Oklahomans are expressing haven’t come to fruition in those states.

"I’m sensitive to that and I understand that," Coody said. "I think part of the reason behind that is we don’t see guns very often, except in the hands of law enforcement. We’ve probably watched too many Westerns and people may think that if people carry weapons, there’s bound to be a gunfight.

"In 30 other states people can carry out in the open without a permit, without asking permission and without paying a tax to the government and it’s not been an issue in other states," Coody said.

Coody said that he believes the Constitution grants open carry rights already, but his bill aims to make a concrete, codified acknowledgment of that right. Criticisms of the bill that take issue with removing safety training requirements are not an issue in Coody’s mind.

"There’s not blood in the streets and they don’t have shootouts like they did at the OK Corral. I think the alarm or fear of that will wear off with time, because you’re just not going to see it."

Gun enthusiast and concealed carry permit holder Jay Duechting said he supports the Second Amendment, but Coody’s law goes too far.

"Let’s really think about this for a second folks," Duechting said. "Do you really want people to be carrying an open weapon and you don’t know who they are? Everyone here (at American Armory and Tactical) has been trained and gone through background checks. Why would you want to go back to wild west days? I thought we had become more evolved since then.

"You might have some people who are mentally unstable out there carrying. Why would we want that? Or someone could go buy a weapon without any training whatsoever. Why would we want that?"

Coody said there is legal training involved currently, and he said it’s important for people to know, but can’t be forced.

"I believe the people who would want to carry in the open, they would understand the risks involved and the vast majority of those people would get their own training and would seek out training, I think even more so. Right now, the law requires training, but most people who have been through that training would tell you that it’s minimal at best and you really ought to have more training."

"I believe people need that training, but I don’t believe the government is in the place to mandate that training. Let’s say you have a sworn enemy and for whatever reason, he’s told you, threatened you that he’s going to kill you. If I’m the government and I tell you ‘You better run. You better stay away from that guy, because if you want to meet force with force, if you want to feel protected and carry a gun, you’re going to have to go out and get a permit and training before you can defend yourself. I think that’s illogical."

Coody said someone could call the police if they felt threatened, but said they may not be able to protect everyone all of the time.

"I think anybody would tell you they can’t be there all the time," he said. "So, for me to be able to protect myself adequately, I don’t want the government to be able to stand in the way of my life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I’m not saying we don’t need training, but free people are responsible and I feel they will get trained."

Currently, the state requires an eight-hour safety course program to obtain an open carry license.

Mike Lily-white has had a concealed carry license for nearly 20 years. He has been a licensed instructor for seven years. The Marine veteran, who offers gun safety and shooting instruction at American Armory and Tactical in Norman, said allowing people to carry without a permit or training would be a mistake. He believes training should be required.

"It’s something that everybody should go through," Lillywhite said. "Because you need to learn the laws, the regulations, the safety. I don’t condone anybody just going out there with a gun without some kind of training and classroom orientation, which is what the state has set forth for people to do."

On the financial side, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has opposed the bill, because it stands to lose a significant chunk of revenue. According to Coody, the OSBI derives about $8 million in annual revenue from open carry permits, amounting to about 15 percent of its budget.

While Coody said the OSBI stands to lose revenue, he believes that it will not be to the extent that some within the organization claim, because he said most people will still opt for concealed carry, which would still require a license.

Outside of legally restricted locations, gun owners will be within their legal rights to carry a gun on a holster without a permit if Coody’s bill passes the Senate and is signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.