According to The Washington Times, the measure is being referred to as "constitutional open carry" and the vote for passage was 73-15, a landslide victory for abolishing the permit requirement.

The bill is sponsored by Representative Jeff Coody (R-Grandfield), who described the measure as "the ultimate freedom bill regarding open carry." He said:

It is similar to open carry laws in more than 30 other states and would allow gun owners to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry firearms openly, such is [sic] in a holster, without having to comply with existing state government licensing requirements.

The measure was supported by Representative John Bennett (R-Sallisaw), who stressed that people should not have to get a permission slip from the government to carry a holstered sidearm for self-defense. Bennett said, "It's our God-given right to defend our self."