Local law enforcement officials say the signing of a bill allowing Oklahomans to openly carry firearms won’t create problems in Muskogee.

The bill was signed by Gov. Mary Fallin on Tuesday. Oklahoma will become the 25th state in the nation with “permissive open carry” laws or “licensed open carry” laws.

The law, which will go into effect in November, requires weapons to be properly licensed.

“The other states that have (the law) don’t seem to have trouble with it,” Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson said. “From our perspective, we assume everyone we come into contact with is armed anyway, for our safety.

“We’re just going to have to wait and see. I think we’ll be fine. Everyone was concerned about the concealed-carry law, at least with open-carry, we can see the weapon.”

Pearson said once the law goes into effect, those carrying weapons better make sure they have their license with them.

“We’ll be checking licenses,” Pearson said. “If you have a gun, you better have that license with you.”

Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore said he doesn’t see a problem with citizens being able to carry weapons in the open, either.

“As far as me, personally, I don’t have a problem with it at all,” Moore said. “As a law-abiding citizen, as long as you meet the requirements to have the license, I don’t see a problem.”

To receive a license under the Oklahoma Self Defense Act, applicants must take a firearms safety and training course and submit to a background check by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Those convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors may not receive a handgun license.

Muskogee Police Chief Rex Eskridge said some city ordinances may need to be amended as a result of the bill being passed. Eskridge said he would need to spend more time reading the bill before passing judgment.

“We have some concerns about (the bill,) but I’d need to look at the bill more to see specifically how it’s written first,” Eskridge said. “We’re going to have to look at our city ordinances and make some adjustments, probably, in municipal ordinances that deal with possession or carry of firearms.”

Businesses may prohibit firearms on their premises, regardless of whether the citizen is licensed. The bill also prohibits firearms on properties owned or leased by the city, state or federal government, at correctional facilities, schools and college campuses, liquor stores and sports arenas during sporting events, according to a media release.

Reach Dylan Goforth at (918) 684-2903 or dgoforth@muskogeephoenix.com.