© 2024 KGOU
News and Music for Oklahoma
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gov. Considering Bill That Removes State Hurdles To Carrying Guns In Public

Rod Waddington
/
Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0StateImpact Oklahoma
SB 1212 would allow people to carry firearms openly without a permit or training.

A bill that would allow Oklahomans to carry firearms in public without getting permission from the state is on Gov. Mary Fallin’s desk.

State senators gave Senate Bill 1212 their final approval late Wednesday night on a measure that allows gun owners to carry their firearms openly or hidden from view without a permit, passing state background checks or paying the related fees. They also won’t have to take 16 hours of firearms safety training currently required before carrying a gun in public.

This type of legislation, known as “constitutional carry,” is legal in more than 10 states.

Rep. Jeff Coody, R-Grandfield, added the constitutional carry provision to the bill in late April. He said state agencies infringe on Oklahoman’s right to bear arms by charging fees for carry licenses and denying licenses to “law-abiding” citizens.

Coody said gun buyers would still be subject to federal background checks, plus businesses and private organizations will still be able to prohibit guns.

Some legislators criticized the constitutional carry amendment because it circumvents state gun regulations, but the bill easily passed both chambers.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies oppose the bill.

OSBI says state background checks are more comprehensive than the federal gun check. It also says the bill hurts police’s ability to separate lawful and unlawful gun owners and that the resulting drop in applications for permits to carry firearms will cost OSBI $4.7 million in annual revenue.

StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership among Oklahoma’s public radio stations and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.

As a community-supported news organization, KGOU relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.

Quinton joined the team at StateImpact Oklahoma in 2017, focusing on criminal justice reporting. He is an OSU grad with degrees in Economics and Marketing who got his start in radio at KOSU. After graduation, Quinton served as Morning Edition Host/General Assignment Reporter at KBBI Radio in Homer, Alaska and Education Reporter at KTOO Public Media in Juneau, Alaska. Quinton loves writing, reading and has an intense relationship with his Netflix account.
More News
Support nonprofit, public service journalism you trust. Give now.