Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which establishes “Constitutional Carry” in the state of Oklahoma.

“Oklahomans are strong supporters of the Second Amendment, and they made their voice known as I traveled across all 77 counties last year,” said Stitt.

HB 2597 establishes “Constitutional Carry,” allowing the concealed or unconcealed carry of firearms by any person who is at least twenty-one years of age or at least 18 years of age and in the military, if the person is not otherwise disqualified to purchase a firearm.

“The core function of government should be protecting fundamental rights,” said Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow – a long-time proponent of constitutional carry. “It is encouraging to see the legislature pass bills that restore our rights. This has been an effort over many years, and I’m extremely thankful for all those who boldly led the charge to restore our rights and appreciate all those who finally voted for this bill.”

HB 2597, which passed by a 40-6 vote, goes into effect November 1, 2019.

Oklahoma is the 16th state to allow constitutional carry. Bordering constitutional carry states include Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Silk: SB195 will not save babies

Senate Bill 195 does nothing to save the lives of unborn children in Oklahoma, said Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow.

Silk is the author of Senate Bill 13, which would abolish abortion in Oklahoma. Republican leaders in the Senate are refusing to let Silk’s bill be heard.

“On the heels of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma issuing their opposition to Senate Bill 13 last week, now Senate leadership has introduced Senate Bill 195, which is an alternative bill that would make abortion illegal in Oklahoma only if Roe v. Wade is overturned or if the U.S. Constitution is amended,” said Silk. “Unfortunately, SB 195 does absolutely nothing to save the lives of unborn children in Oklahoma today.  It offers no immediate protection and accomplishes nothing unless the federal law changes. 

“It’s based on a trigger event that will likely not happen anytime soon, but in the meantime, more than 5,000 children die each year in Oklahoma – that’s between 15 and 20 unborn children killed every day — while we wait for Roe v. Wade to be overturned.  What we’ve been doing in Oklahoma for the past 43 years has been an absolute failure and it’s time to put the lives of the unborn first.”

Opponents to SB13 say it violates federal law.

“The constitutionality of pro-life legislation can be compared to medical marijuana legislation, in that both are considered in violation of both the U.S. Constitution and our state Constitution,” Silk said. “But yet, the very same leaders who have supported laws to make medical marijuana legal, without regard for what the federal law says about it being illegal, are also some of the same people who refuse to support SB 13 because they fear it will not hold up in court. 

“The bottom line is, it’s impossible to be an abortion free state and a pro-life state.  If Roe v. Wade were overturned tomorrow, the pro-life legislation currently on the books in Oklahoma would still be keeping abortion legal in the state.   SB 13 would have an immediate impact now, saving countless unborn children.

“The ‘pro-life’ legislation many in our state are proud and protective of is the very legislation that is keeping abortion legal in Oklahoma. If Oklahoma wants to end abortion and protect all human life, we cannot retain the exceptions that these ‘pro-life’ laws offer. We are either an abortion-free state or a state that simply regulates abortion.”

President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, who opposes SB13, said abortion will remain legal in Oklahoma until the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade or if the U.S. Constitution is amended.

“Oklahoma is a pro-life state and Oklahomans have repeatedly made it clear they want their elected officials to protect the life of the unborn. Senate Bill 195 would prohibit abortion in Oklahoma, with the exception for the life of the mother, when Roe v. Wade is overturned or when the U.S. Constitution is amended,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.