Oklahoma lawmakers are concerned that Congress will enact “red flag” laws in an over-reaction to a handful of mass shootings.

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed Senate Bill 1081 to push back against any proposed red flag laws coming from the federal government.

The bill, titled the “Anti-Red Flag Act,” would pre-empt all current or future proposed red flag laws coming from Washington D.C. and make them null, void, and of no effect in the State of Oklahoma.

The proposed Senate bill also would prohibit any state or local entities from accepting federal funds to try and entice state agencies into implementing infringements on Oklahoma citizens’ constitutional rights.

“The Second Amendment is abundantly clear that it is an individual right to keep and bear arms. And it is necessary to keep a free state. Oklahoma has a responsibility to protect our citizens’ rights from anyone who would try to infringe upon them,” Dahm said.

“In America, we learn from an early age that we are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. We have due process protections enshrined in our Constitution. Red flag laws violate all these principles, violate numerous constitutionally protected rights, and set a dangerous precedent,” Dahm said.

“In Oklahoma, we already have legal processes for those who are adjudicated as a threat to themselves or others. We don’t need new laws that will further infringe on rights. We should be about protecting rights.”

SB1081will be available to be heard in the next session of the Oklahoma Legislature beginning in February 2020.