Chief says permitless carry law creates policing concerns

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While most Oklahomans can now legally carry a firearm without a permit or training, Oklahoma City's top police official is worried about the consequences the change in law could have.

“There are a lot of circumstances that this could potentially create that concern us,” Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley said. “Our officers have to identify bad guys in a split second. A law like this that is passed that’s so complicated and has so many moving parts to it ... it adds doubt."

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which will allow many Oklahomans to carry a firearm without a permit or training, into law earlier this year. The bill officially went into effect this month.

One of the major concerns for Gourley and other law enforcement officials was that they were not consulted before its implementation.

Within the bill, individuals who openly carry no longer have to disclose they possess a firearm when they come into contact with law enforcement unless asked directly by a law enforcement officer.

"No person shall be required to identify himself or herself as a handgun licensee or as lawfully in possession of any other firearm if the law enforcement officer does not demand the information," the bill reads.

Gourley said the department has implemented new training in the past several months to make sure officers know how to approach individuals who wish to openly carry.

“I think we have done a really good job of training our officers of where the lines are and what the law says,” Gourley said. “We still have to protect the community and still have to make them feel safe. If people are calling in because they see someone walking around with a rifle, we’ll still have come out and check those things out within the law and do what we need to do.”

Mark Nelson, vice president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, said his organization believes officers are well-trained to handle the new law.

Nelson also said the FOP has been in contact with law enforcement agencies in states with similar laws to discuss tactics and potential challenges.

“We support the right of citizens within the current laws to possess and carry firearms,” Nelson said. “That said, every little detail on every call matters and the slightest change in scenarios means officers could respond in so many different ways.

“As long as citizens operate within the framework of the law, then we can all work through this law change together.”

Maj. Jim Anderson of the Oklahoma County sheriff's department, said he has sent reminders to county officers and deputies about the change in law and how that will change up policing tactics.

“If you see someone with a firearm, you can’t stop and detain them just because,” Anderson said. “They are doing so legally and unless there is more going on, reckless conduct or threatening behavior, we won’t get involved.”

Anderson said he’s not sure the law change will actually cause any issues.

“Anytime there is a change or wrinkle in the statutes people think it’s going to be the worst and that it’ll be like 'Tombstone' on the streets,” he said. “That’s not usually the case.”

But Gourley thinks it won’t be so easy for officers and for citizens to flip their mindset if they see a stranger on the streets walking around with a gun.

“We don’t ever want someone in the public to see something that makes them feel unsafe and not call us,” Gourley said. “I’d rather us make that determination and I think we are ready to do that.

“There are a lot of good people out there that will carry firearms and do what they are supposed to do that we will never have an encounter with, but you are going to have people that like to create drama and want to create a situation that they can put on Youtube. But we are prepared to deal with those, too. But those kind of situations drive our resources away from what we need to be doing.”

Gourley said his department fully supports those wishing to exercise their Second Amendment rights and believes the details will iron themselves out.

“It’s just a level of uncertainty right now,” Gourley said. “Maybe two years from now we are sitting down and talking about this and it’s not a big deal.

“It would be nice to have some input prior to those things taking effect so they could hear our side of it.”