Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, said implementation of House Bill 2597, known as Constitutional Carry, won’t turn Oklahoma into the “Wild West.”
“Most Oklahomans won’t notice a difference after the enactment of constitutional carry,” said David, Senate Majority Floor Leader. “Some are using scare tactics and warning Oklahoma will turn into the ‘Wild West’ after Nov. 1. It didn’t happen in Arkansas and Kansas when constitutional carry became law there, and it’s not likely to happen in Oklahoma either. Constitutional carry is an important policy that strikes the right balance in protecting both Second Amendment rights and private property rights.”
House Bill 2597 allows Oklahoma citizens age 21 or older to carry a firearm in public without a permit, and allows active duty military personnel or veterans age 18 or over to carry a firearm in public without a permit. It also:
- Prohibits felons, illegal aliens, persons with mental illness or those with domestic violence convictions from carrying a firearm
- Allows private property owners to prohibit customers and guests from carrying firearms on that property
- Allows public and private colleges and universities and government buildings to prohibit students, employees and guests from carrying firearms on that property
- Keeps in place current law that requires a background check for the purchase of a firearm
- Keeps in place current training and licensing program for those who want to obtain a permit for the purpose of reciprocity in other states. House Bill 2010, a follow up bill to House Bill 2597, allows Oklahoma citizens to carry a firearm on property owned, leased, operated or managed by a public trust – including municipal zoos and public parks of any size. It allows those properties to prohibit open carry but not permitless, concealed carry.