Senate passes bill to clarify concealed carry rights for medical marijuana cardholders

Senate passes measure protecting gun rights for medical marijuana cardholders

The full Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to protect the Second Amendment rights of medical marijuana cardholders.

Senate Bill 959, authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, clarifies that anyone authorized to use medical marijuana would also be allowed to have a concealed carry permit. Even though Oklahoma is a constitutional carry state, some citizens may want a permit if they travel to other states that require them and offer reciprocity.

Current Oklahoma law precludes citizens from being eligible for a handgun license if they have any violation relating to illegal drug use or possession. SB 959 would clarify that this prohibition does not apply for applicants or licensees in possession of a medical marijuana card. The measure would make it illegal for a person to carry or use a gun while under the influence of medical marijuana.

“Our Second Amendment rights outlined in the United States Constitution are very clear – the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed,” Dahm said. “We cannot discriminate against medical marijuana cardholders because of their personal medicinal decisions. All Oklahomans should have their Second Amendment rights protected, and I’m glad my colleagues agree that we must uphold the Constitution.”

The measure now heads to the House of Representatives for a vote. Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, is the House author for the bill.

NRA welcomes Oklahoma as newest constitutional carry state

Constitutional Carry OK in Oklahoma

FAIRFAX, Va.– The National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) welcomes Oklahoma as the newest constitutional carry state. Constitutional carry, now the law in 16 states across the country, allows law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms without first getting government permission to do.

The NRA-backed law, which takes effect Friday, Nov. 1, fully recognizes the constitutional right of law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm openly or concealed without a permit.

“Government exists for the people, not the other way around. This law honors the right of law-abiding Oklahomans to defend themselves and their loved ones without begging for the government’s permission beforehand," said Jason Ouimet, executive director, NRA-ILA. "The NRA fights for law-abiding gun owners because we recognize that our freedoms are fundamental and natural, not government-given."

For nearly 10 years, the NRA has worked closely with the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association to make constitutional carry a reality in Oklahoma.

“After 112 years, constitutional carry returns the fundamental right to self-defense to every law-abiding Oklahoman,” said Don Spencer, president, Oklahoma Second Amendment Association. “By eliminating financial barriers imposed by government permitting schemes, constitutional carry ensures that law-abiding, but economically disadvantaged Oklahomans can always protect themselves in times of crisis.”

H.B. 2597 passed both chambers with broad bi-partisan support (House vote 70-30 , Senate vote 40-6).

This law does not change prohibited person laws or any law governing the misuse of a firearm, prohibited places where a firearm cannot be carried, or when force may be used in defense of self or others.

Sixteen states – Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Kentucky – allow law-abiding individuals to carry a concealed handgun without a government-issued permit. (Montana allows Permitless Carry for all areas outside city limits – 99.4% of the state.)

Dahm praises passage of Constitutional Carry

Senator Nathan Dahm Praises Oklahoma Legislature's Passage of Constitutional Carry Legislation

Law-abiding Oklahomans will be able to defend themselves without the burden of a required government-issued license.

Tulsa, OK - Nathan Dahm [Friday] praised the Oklahoma Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 1212 known as Constitutional Carry.

"The passage of Constitutional Carry is a momentous occasion for 2nd Amendment protections in the state of Oklahoma," said Dahm, R - Broken Arrow. "There is not another Constitutional right that requires people to get training and licensing in order to exercise that right. Now, law-abiding Oklahomans will be able to defend themselves without the burden of a required government-issued license."

If signed into law, firearms would remain prohibited in schools and government buildings, among other places where weapons are not allowed. With the passage of this law, Oklahoma would be the 14th state to enact Constitutional Carry legislation.

"As a long-time champion of 2nd Amendment rights, I was proud to secure the rights of every law-abiding Oklahoman. Constitutional carry simply guarantees the fundamental rights laid out in the 2nd Amendment alongside our other constitutional freedoms."

Senate Bill 1212 now awaits the signature of Governor Fallin.

Nathan Dahm is a current Oklahoma State Senator and conservative Republican candidate for Congress in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District. To learn more about Nathan, visit www.NathanDahm.com.

Constitutional Carry Bill Clears State House

Constitutional Carry Bill Clears House

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, issued the following statement today following the House passage of Senate Bill 1212. The measure allows any person at least 21 years of age or a person who is at least 18 years of age and in the military to carry a firearm concealed or unconcealed if the person is not otherwise disqualified from the possession or purchase of a firearm. The amendment excludes persons convicted of certain crimes from carrying a firearm. Roberts is the House author of the legislation, which passed the chamber with a vote of 59-28. It now goes back to the Senate to accept House amendments.

“The right for law-abiding citizens to openly carry firearms already exists in the United States Constitution – it’s called the Second Amendment. It’s time we put a stop to bureaucratic roadblocks that infringe on these rights and instead codify a citizen’s ability to carry a firearm. Oklahoma prides itself on being a state that values individual freedoms, yet we’ve put red tape between people and their basic rights. With today’s House passage of Senate Bill 1212, we’re one step closer to rectifying that problem. I’m thankful for my colleagues’ support.”

Empty Holster Week

This past week was the annual nationwide Empty Holster Protest, during which college students across the country donned empty handgun holsters to draw attention to harmful gun restrictions on college campuses.

Here is the press release from Students for Concealed Carry:

Students nationwide are once again strapping on empty holsters in support of the right to pack heat. The nonviolent protest, organized by Students for Concealed Carry, runs April 2-6 and is designed to highlight the ineffectiveness of campus gun bans.

“Gun-free zones are defense-free zones,” said David Burnett, the group’s spokesman. “Announcing your campus is gun-free is a reckless invitation to psychopaths. We’re trying to show we have to put an end to such dangerous and irresponsible mandates.”

Hundreds of colleges have taken part in the protest in recent years, and the group expects this year to be no different. Enthusiastic students from dozens of major universities have already signed up for the protest via the group’s website, eager to raise awareness about self-defense restrictions on their campus.

Students for Concealed Carry was founded after the Virginia Tech massacre by students who noted the college’s gun ban failed to stop the shooter. More than 20 other college shootings have taken place on “gun-free” campuses since 2001, including six victims at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center shooting in March.

Colorado’s Supreme Court recently sided with the group, in a ruling that struck down a college gun ban. In 2011, five more states extended greater freedom to college gun owners, and over 200 campuses now allow some form of carry.

Despite their progress, Burnett says the group’s goals are often misunderstood. “We’re not out to arm everyone. We’re just saying if you have the legal permit and can legally carry virtually everywhere else, why is your right to self-defense suspended on campus? Guns in the hands of the right people can save lives, and universities are stopping the right people from protecting themselves. “

The group points to Utah and Colorado as proof that campus carry works. “These schools have allowed campus carry for years without incident,” says Burnett. “If anything, the crime rate drops.”

“It’s all about protection,” says Daniel Crocker, the group’s president. “Signs on the doors are just a government guarantee that criminals won’t encounter armed resistance. They won’t protect anyone, but a permitted handgun might. Until colleges can guarantee our safety, they shouldn’t criminalize self-defense.”

On Monday, a former nursing student walked into a Christian college in Oakland, California, and began a shooting rampage that left seven people dead and three wounded. His killing spree went unchecked, and he was able to leave the scene before police arrived. Authorities believe he had ample time during the attack to reload his firearm.

“This is a poignant and ironic example of the very thing we’re protesting,” said David Burnett, SCC’s spokesman. “Colleges invite these shootings by guaranteeing criminals their victims will be disarmed. It takes more than signs to fend off killers. Gun-free zones are defense-free zones. Since our colleges can’t guarantee our safety, it’s time for them to allow us a fighting chance and decriminalize self-defense.”

Burnett and Crocker are exactly right. As with most other school shootings you hear about, "gun-free zones" enable criminals to perpetrate their crime unhindered. Banning guns only means that law abiding citizens will be disarmed and defenseless, while criminals will continue doing what they have always done - break the law. Concealed Carry has been tremendously effective and successful everywhere it has been implemented. It's time that college campuses no longer be easy targets for would-be killers.

Israel: Rocket Status Quo and Armed Citizens

The status quo continues in Israel, with near-daily rocket attack continuing from Hamas terrorists based in Gaza. Since Operation Cast Lead ended, southern Israel has been subjected to over 100 rockets and mortar shells. Along with these incidents, the Israeli Air Force has to continue missile strikes on the terrorists. Just today, after firing two Kassam rockets, three Hamas thugs were wounded in a strike by the IDF.

On Sunday, four rockets were fired into Israel, followed by swift air strikes on the part of the IAF, which took out an arms warehouse and two smuggling tunnels in Gaza, in addition to killing one and wounding two terrorists.

In other terrorism-related news, Arabs in Jerusalem have taken to using tractors in their attacks. So far this year, three tractor attacks have taken place. The latest one happened on Thursday.



The backhoe driver rammed a police car, rolling it over (knocking a street light over in the process) and into a bus.

Fortunately, the terrorist was stopped dead in his tractor, literally. A policeman and two armed civilians shot and killed the would-be murderor before any more damage could be done.

In all of the recent tractor attacks, armed citizens (mostly rabbis and cab drivers) have contributed to stopping the rampages. yet another example of the success, and neccesity, of concealed carry.