Oklahoma permits open carry of a handgun under the same two-track framework that authorizes concealed carry: constitutional carry under Section 1289.28...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Oklahoma permits open carry of a handgun under the same two-track framework that authorizes concealed carry: constitutional carry under Section 1289.28 and the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act license under Section 1290.1 through Section 1290.26 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Oklahoma legalized open carry by SDA licensees in 2012, and the Oklahoma Constitutional Carry Act of 2019 (HB 2597) extended permitless open carry to all qualifying lawful adults. Section 1289.28 expressly contemplates carry that is either "concealed or openly." Section 1290.3 likewise authorizes licensed open carry.
Open carry is lawful in Oklahoma for a person who is either:
Section 1289.28 and Section 1290.19 limit the permitless and licensed carry frameworks to handguns. Long guns (rifles and shotguns) are not authorized for general public open carry under these provisions. Long guns may be carried in contexts authorized by statute - hunting under Title 29 of the Oklahoma Statutes, transport to or from a shooting range, on private property with permission, or by peace officers.
Section 1289.28 and Section 1290.3 contemplate that the firearm will typically be carried in a holster, scabbard, sling, or case. The statute does not strictly require a holster, but a holstered handgun is the standard lawful configuration. A loose handgun carried in the hand or waistband without restraint may invite scrutiny under the disorderly-conduct or pointing-a-firearm provisions in Title 21.
Open carry is lawful in any place where concealed carry is also lawful. The prohibited places list in Section 1277 applies to open carry just as it applies to concealed carry. A person openly carrying may not enter:
Section 1290.22 authorizes a private property owner or business to post notice prohibiting firearms on the premises. The notice must be a sign with letters at least one inch high, posted at the entrance to the premises. Notice satisfying Section 1290.22 binds both licensed and constitutional carriers; violation may result in a trespass charge or a request to leave.
Section 1289.7 governs carry of a firearm in a vehicle. A handgun may be carried in a vehicle either openly or concealed by any person who is otherwise authorized to carry under constitutional carry or the SDA. The locked-container rules for non-handguns differ; see the Vehicle Carry section.
Open carry is lawful. Brandishing, threatening, or pointing a firearm at another person without legal justification is not lawful and may be prosecuted under Section 1289.16 (pointing a firearm) or Section 1289.17 (reckless conduct involving a firearm) or related Title 21 provisions, even by an otherwise authorized carrier.
This section is grounded in Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes (Section 1272, Section 1277, Section 1289.7, Section 1289.16, Section 1289.17, Section 1289.28, Section 1290.1, Section 1290.3, Section 1290.4, Section 1290.19, and Section 1290.22) and 18 U.S.C. Section 930.
This page covers one part of our Oklahoma concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Oklahoma guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.