Guns will be allowed at park's opening concert
Concertgoers will be able to carry guns into the Sept. 27 Kings of Leon show at the grand opening of Scissortail Park.
Plans are being made to accommodate tens of thousands of fans to hear the award- winning Southern alternative rock band kick off opening weekend at the new MAPS 3 downtown park.
Because Scissortail Park is a municipal park, state law requires that licensed gun owners be allowed to carry their guns onto park property, said Amanda Carpenter, a deputy city attorney.
That differs from Chesapeake Energy Arena and other municipal facilities, such as the Bricktown ballpark, where firearms are prohibited.
Carpenter said current law provides for open carry as well as for carrying a concealed firearm in municipal parks.
Individuals who carry a gun into a municipal park must have a handgun license.
And those carrying a gun have a duty to disclose that fact and the fact they are
licensed when they encounter a police officer, and to show the license to the officer upon request.
That is likely to be the case at the concert, a free event on a Friday evening.
Plans are to erect a fence around the 38-acre park, with 10 to 12 entrances staffed by security officials, including police officers.
Outside food and beverages will be forbidden, as will coolers, lawn chairs and pets.
Blankets will be discouraged, as organizers expect fans on the great lawn in front of the stage to be packed in and standing throughout the event, said Katy Gustafson of the Gooden Group, a corporate communications and public relations firm in Oklahoma City.
Gustafson on Thursday briefed the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board on opening weekend festivities.
Organizers announced that Oklahoma- based Broncho and punk rockers Republican Hair, featuring front man and Oklahoma native Luke Dick, will open for Kings of Leon.
Gustafson said food trucks inside the fenced perimeter will provide food and drink, and beer will be sold.
She said music is slated to go until 11 p.m., followed by fireworks.
Nashville- based Kings of Leon has Oklahoma roots and has won three Grammy awards and is popular internationally.
The band is bringing in its own staging, sound and lights, supplemented by a local production company.
The show is free and no tickets will be required.
To gauge interest, though, fans have been asked on social media to indicate their plans.
On Facebook, Gustafson said, 13,000 have indicated an interest in attending and 4,000 say they are coming. Last count of Eventbrite RSVPs was 8,000-plus, she said.