8 years later, Dahm recalls viral showdown with Piers Morgan

Sen. Dahm celebrates eighth anniversary of debate with fake news Piers Morgan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Thursday, Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, issued the following statement:

“Eight years ago, Piers Morgan was headlining CNN nightly and using his platform to rail against our Second Amendment rights. He apparently never saw the irony of a Brit trying to take away our guns or never learned the history of our response to King George III when he tried the same thing. 

“When I filed my ‘Piers Morgan Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms Without Infringement Act,’ he quickly took the bait and challenged me to come on his show to debate the bill. In a bittersweet moment, Piers was fired by CNN just a few weeks after our debate. It was bittersweet because I had enough material to go back on his show at least another half dozen times to demolish his arguments again.

Lowe's repeal of Constitutional Carry fails 1 to 11 in committee vote

State Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC) has been the leading figure in efforts to repeal Constitutional Carry. Back in August, Rep. Lowe filed an initiative petition to put a repeal on the statewide ballot. That drive fell far short of the requisite number of signatures.

Lowe filed a bill (HB 3357) this session to repeal the Constitutional Carry law. HB 3357 received a hearing in the House Public Safety Committee yesterday. It was shot down in a bipartisan vote, with 11 opposed and just one in favor.

Another initiative petition has been filed by Lowe and his anti-gun allies. If it receives enough signatures (about 90,000), it would become State Question 809.

Rep. Lowe files bills to repeal Constitutional Carry, ban long-barrel firearms in restaurants

After failing to gather enough signatures to place a repeal of Constitutional Carry on the ballot, Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC) is filing legislation to undo it.

Fortunately, this has absolutely no chance at passage.

Lowe Files Legislation Concerning Firearms and Public Safety

Bills would  Repeal Permitless Carry, Ban Long-Barrel Firearms in Restaurants

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC) has filed two pieces of legislation focused on making public spaces safer for Oklahomans.

House Bill 3357 would repeal last year’s permitless carry legislation.

“There is no doubt in my mind that if people got to vote on whether firearm safety training should be necessary to carry a firearm in public, where our children are, permitless carry would not be the law,” Lowe said. “This legislation is a product of the hundreds of conversations I have had personally with Oklahomans who don’t want irresponsible gun owners to carry firearms in public.”

House Bill 3897 would ban long-barrel firearms from Oklahoma restaurants. This legislation is meant to make these spaces safer and more welcoming to citizens.

“Having patrons carry long-barrel firearms into a restaurant isn’t good for business or the mental health of the restaurant’s patrons,” Lowe said. “Oklahomans, especially children, veterans suffering from PTSD, people suffering from mental illness, should have the ability to enter a restaurant in Oklahoma and not feel threatened or endangered by the presence of military-style weapons.”

While public safety is paramount, a byproduct of Lowe’s legislation would be a fix to an unintended consequence caused by the passage of permitless carry.

“The business owners I have spoken with don’t like being drug into this highly controversial issue,” Lowe said. “When we told store owners that they could decide who could and couldn’t carry in their place of business, we forced them to pick sides and alienate customers. Our government should make laws that help small businesses not hurt them.”

Constitutional Carry authors answer myths, present facts on new laws

Authors of Constitutional Carry comment on bill's implementation 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City) and Sen. Kim David (R-Porter) today commented on the implementation of House Bill 2597, known as "Constitutional Carry."

“The right to bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Starting Friday, Oklahomans lawfully allowed to carry a firearm can do so without improper infringement and without having to pay for a state permit. This should not discourage people from training to learn how to use their weapon. In the 15 other states with constitutional carry, citizens are safe and responsibly exercising their right to bear arms. Oklahoma is proud to join those states in more fully protecting this constitutional freedom as our founders intended.” – Rep. Echols, House Majority Floor Leader

“Most Oklahomans won’t notice a difference after the enactment of constitutional carry. 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.” – Sen. David, Senate Majority Floor Leader

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.

• Prohibits felons, illegal aliens, persons adjudicated 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
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
• Allows those properties to prohibit open carry but not permitless, concealed carry

MYTHS AND FACTS

Myth: Anyone can buy a gun now.
Fact: The law maintains current background check requirements before firearm purchases.

Myth: Anyone can carry guns now.
Fact: The law does not remove the restriction on people with felony records carrying guns. It is still illegal. Furthermore, the law restricts illegal aliens, persons adjudicated with mental illness or those with domestic violence convictions from carrying a firearm.

Myth: People can have a gun anywhere now.  
Fact: Private property owners, like businesses and restaurants, can prohibit visitors from carrying firearms on private property.

Myth: Constitutional Carry will turn Oklahoma into the Wild West.
Fact: The same claims were made when the state passed concealed carry and open carry laws. Fifteen other states allow Constitutional Carry, including Arkansas and Kansas, while Texas provides Constitutional Carry “Light,” allowing citizens to carry without a permit in their vehicles to and from their home, business or land.

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.)

Constitutional Carry will go into effect on Friday following ruling

Attorney General Hunter Comments on Defense of Constitutional Carry Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today released the following statement after Oklahoma County District Judge Don Andrews’ ruling that denied the plaintiffs request for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the constitutional carry law from going into effect on Nov. 1.

The law will now take effect Friday, despite ongoing litigation.

 “We are pleased Judge Andrews ruled in our favor and did not grant a preliminary injunction, which will allow this law to go into effect on Nov. 1,” Attorney General Hunter said. “My office is proud to defend the constitutional carry law against a political attack by plaintiffs who were unable to succeed at the legislature, unable to persuade voters in the referendum process and now seeking to overturn a duly enacted law with meritless claims and scare tactics.”

Anti-Constitutional Carry drive collected 37k signatures, 23k short of target

The Oklahoma Secretary of State has concluded an initial count of the signatures submitted for the anti-Constitutional Carry initiative petition, and found that the campaign collected 37,057 signatures, nearly 23,000 fewer than needed to halt the implementation of Constitutional Carry and out the measure up for statewide vote.

Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC) and supporting anti-gun groups had claimed to have collected over 50,000 signatures, still short of the nearly 60,000 signatures they needed.

Stillwater GOP Rep spoke at rally with anti-Constitutional Carry petition signing

State Reps. John Talley (R-Stillwater) and Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater)

State Rep. John Talley (R RINO-Stillwater) recently spoke at a Moms Demand Action rally and anti-Constitutional Carry petition signing in Stillwater on August 18th.

Veto-referendum petition signing at the Stillwater event

Talley earned a Conservative Index score of just 20 during the 2019 legislative session, making him the most liberal Republican legislator. One House Democrat and two Senate Democrats scored higher than Talley, even during a session largely devoid of moderate Democrat legislators.

Stillwater's Republican State Senator Tom Dugger missed the vote on HB2597, the Constitutional Carry bill. Of 9 votes that the Senate took that day, that was the only measure Sen. Dugger missed. In all likelihood, he "walked the vote". Both Talley and Stillwater's other State House representative, Trish Ranson (D), voted against the measure when it came to the House floor. Ranson also attended and spoke at the August 18th rally with Talley.

State Rep. John Talley and one of the rally speakers

Stillwater-area Republicans and gun-rights advocates should remember this in the 2020 election cycle.

Anti-Constitutional Carry petition: Stillwater council supports, Blanchard council opposes

Yesterday, the Oklahoma City council voted against lending support to the petition that hopes to stop Constitutional Carry here in Oklahoma. At least two other city councils took positions on the issue yesterday.

The Stillwater City Council passed a resolution that supports the initiative petition effort. The vote was 4-0 (one member was absent).

The Blanchard City Council passed the following resolution by a vote of 3-2, opposing the petition and supporting Constitutional Carry.

OKC Council rejects resolution supporting anti-Constitutional Carry petition

Yesterday, the Oklahoma City Council voted down a resolution that supported the initiative petition that seeks to stop implementation of Constitutional Carry in Oklahoma, charting a different course than OKC Mayor David Holt, who signed the petition a week ago.

From The Oklahoman:

The Oklahoma City council rejected a measure Tuesday to show support for a statewide vote on permitless carry in Oklahoma.

An effort is currently underway to gather enough signatures to halt a new law that would allow Oklahomans to carry a gun without a license or training. The petition seeks a statewide vote on the issue next year.

The council vote was five to four, with James Greiner, Larry McAtee, Mark Stonecipher, Todd Stone and David Greenwell voting against the measure.

Mayor David Holt joined JoBeth Hamon, Nikki Nice and James Cooper in supporting the measure.

Hamon had introduced the measure asking the council to publicly support the petition effort.

Opponents of the Constitutional Carry law have until 5pm Thursday to collect about 60,000 valid signatures in order to keep HB 2597 from going into law on November 1st and instead putting it to a statewide vote in 2020.

OK2A, 36 legislators file challenge against anti-Constitutional Carry petition

Earlier today, the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite!, the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee, 22 GOP members of the State House and 14 GOP members of the State Senate filed a challenge in the State Supreme Court aimed at tossing out the initiative petition being circulated by anti-gun groups that aims to send permitless carry to a state vote in hopes of overturning the new law.

Specifically, their brief states that 'The “gist” of the referendum effectively contains six separate clauses, two of which are blatantly false, inaccurate, misleading, and inflammatory, and the remaining four of which are inaccurate, misleading and inflammatory.' If their challenge is confirmed, the petition could be thrown out.

The cover sheet of the brief is below, listing the names of the 36 legislators that signed on, including House Speaker Charles McCall and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols (and yet, now that I look at it again, notably missing Senate President Greg Treat). Of interest to Muskogee area residents, State Sen. Kim David (R-Porter), State Sen. Roger Thompson (R-Okemah), State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee), and State Rep. Kevin McDugle (R-Wagoner) are on the list; none of the other legislators in or touching Muskogee County signed on to the brief.

More information:

• Read the 13-Page Protest Brief here. 
• Read  31-page SQ 803 here (the anti-Constitutional Carry initiative petition). 
• Read the Cover Sheet of the Supreme Court Brief here. 
• Visit the OK2A YouTube Channel for more videos on the topic.

Tulsa Mayor Bynum: "I don’t jump into the fray on state initiative petitions"

File this under A Tale of Two Cities Mayors.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum weighed in the other day on the initiative petition that aims to stop permitless/Constitutional carry from going into law. His position? Not that of fellow Republican Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City, who signed the petition.

Bynum won't jump in on the petition. Commenting about his aim to work as a bridge-builder among a diverse set of viewpoints and political positions, Bynum said "I don’t jump into the fray on state initiative petitions" or other political dividing lines, as it could negatively impact his efforts in city government.

Read his full statement below:


Bynum wrote:

Please pardon me for a lengthy but important aside. Some things don’t fit in sound bites...

When I ran for mayor, I pledged to the citizens of Tulsa that I would focus on bringing our city together to focus on our greatest challenges. We’ve done that, and I am incredibly proud of the way Tulsans have gone about it. Racial disparities, LGBTQ rights, welcoming immigrants, police/community relations, 1921 graves - these are all potential controversies but we are being transparent and working as a community to address them.

And we’re working together on basic municipal issue areas too. We have a bipartisan City Council working with a bipartisan Mayor’s Office as a team - an approach we haven’t historically enjoyed in Tulsa. The City and the County are working as a team - most notably during the recent flood. Tulsa and our suburbs are working as a team to grow our economy - we’re excited about Milo’s Tea in Owasso and the outlet mall in Jenks.

How do we do work together in such an unprecedented way on issues that historically were avoided due to controversy? My approach as mayor has been that we do that by picking our fights.

We recognize that good Tulsans voted for different gubernatorial candidates last year, and good Tulsans will vote for different presidential candidates next year.

Good people disagree. And it becomes harder and harder to work together if you continually point out your disagreements.

So if you’re in a job like mine, you focus on the things you can really make a difference on - and you bring together people who otherwise disagree on the other stuff to fix those things within your purview. You sacrifice your right to express your opinion on every issue in service to the job you’ve been given.

So, I know it makes some of my friends angry that I don’t weigh in on every Trump or AOC tweet. I don’t sign a group letter telling Jim Inhofe and James Lankford how they should vote on a bill in the US Senate. I don’t jump into the fray on state initiative petitions.

As a citizen, you should feel free to do all of these things. As a citizen, I have opinions on all of them too. But as mayor, I have a responsibility to pull our city together so we can move it forward.

Some think this is playing politics. Hate to break the news to those analysts, but the politics on all of these issues is pretty simple in Oklahoma. If that’s what I cared about, I’d just go with the flow.

But I love Tulsa like most people love their mom. I’ve got 473 days left in the term you gave me to channel the passion and energy of every Tulsan into making this the best city we can make it. And “every Tulsan” means all you awesome folks who are upset with one another about these other issues. We need your help in making this a safer city, a city of opportunity for everybody, a city we will be proud to leave to our kids.

I post this because it has become an issue in the last week, and I see it only getting more frequent as we head into next year’s national elections. I want you to know why I am doing what I’m doing. Feel free to disagree with my approach, but I hope you can at least see the reasoning behind it.

Most importantly: I hope you’ll join me in trying to make Tulsa a better place.

Cory Booker weighs in on effort to stop Permitless Carry in Oklahoma

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), candidate for president in 2020, made this statement of support today for the initiative petition (SQ 803) that seeks to stop the implementation of permitless or 'Constitutional' carry in Oklahoma.

Joshua Harris-Till, President of the Young Democrats of America and a two-time candidate for Congress in Oklahoma's 2nd District, posted the video online.



HB 2597 was the first bill signed into law by Governor Stitt in February 2019, after passing the House by a vote of 70-30 and the Senate by a vote of 40-7. HB 2597 established “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 eighteen years of age and in the military, if the person is not otherwise disqualified to purchase a firearm.

On August 12th, State Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC), Joshua Harris-Till (President of Young Democrats of America), the Oklahoma Chapter of Moms Demand Action, and others announced their intent to stop the measure. On August 21st, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (Republican, ostensibly) signed the petition.

Opponents of the Constitutional Carry measure are making a big push in the Tulsa and especially the Oklahoma City metros to garner the requisite signatures to put the implementation of the law on hold until the 2020 election.

Neese announces opposition to anti-Constitutional Carry petition

The stir over permitless (aka Constitutional) carry continues as opponents collect signatures to place the measure on a statewide ballot in hopes of keeping the measure from going into law. The center of the effort seems to be in Oklahoma County, where prominent figures including Oklahoma City's Republican mayor are supporting the repeal petition.

Terry Neese, one of the Republican candidates seeking to flip the 5th Congressional District red again, is out with a statement indicating her opposition to the anti-Second Amendment campaign:

TERRY NEESE ANNOUNCES OPPOSITION TO ANTI-SECOND AMENDMENT PETITION

Oklahoma City, OK – Terry Neese, conservative Republican candidate for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District, today reaffirmed her support for permitless carry and her willingness to stand against any actions taken by city, state, or federal legislators to infringe on our Second Amendment rights. Neese’s statement comes after Oklahoma City's Ward 6 Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon announced her intention to introduce a resolution that, if approved by the Council, would demonstrate its support for an initiative petition seeking to halt the implementation of H.B. 2597.

“As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I oppose this resolution and will not be signing the petition - nor do I support putting it up for a vote in 2020," said Terry Neese. "The Constitution gives every law-abiding American the right to bear arms and I will oppose any action - at any level of government - that seeks to infringe on the Second Amendment.”

Signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt this year, H.B. 2597 would allow residents and nonresidents 21 years of age or older, as well as active-duty military over the age of 18, to carry a firearm without a permit.

For more information on Terry Neese or her campaign, visit NeeseForCongress.com.

OKC Mayor Holt signs petition to repeal Constitutional Carry

OKC Mayor David Holt has signed on to the initiative petition that aims to repeal Oklahoma's pending permitless carry (aka Constitutional Carry) legislation that is set to go into effect in November.

"Many OKC residents have deep concerns about permitless carry, set to take effect 11/1," Holt said in a tweet yesterday. "Regardless of your stance, a vote settles the debate. A petition is being circulated to provide that option & I just added my name. If you want to sign it as well, Tweet @cackiness."

Oklahoma City has trended leftward politically in recent years, and leftist anti-gun activists had been calling on the moderate liberal Republican mayor to sign their petition. Moderately conservative when first elected to the State Senate, various conservative rating groups like the Oklahoma Constitution and the American Conservative Union tracked Holt trending to the center the longer he was in the Senate, and has continued trending to the left during his tenure as mayor.

Holt seems to be employing a policy of ambiguity on the topic, avoiding outright stating his position in favor or opposition to the petition's goal but signing it nonetheless, lending (at the least) tacit support for it. Much like King Saul in I Samuel 15, Holt can try the excuse that he signed the petition because "the people" asked him to.

It's similar to the "coward's strategy" oftentimes used in the legislature, where major policies are passed as state questions in order to "pass the buck" for the result to the state's voters, instead of taking the legislative responsibility on themselves. "I didn't vote for it [if it ends up being unpopular] or against it [if it ends up being popular], I just wanted 'the people' to have a say" goes the line.

Holt was first elected mayor in 2018, and won't be up for reelection until 2022.

OKGOP slams Dems' Constitutional Carry repeal effort

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman David McLain

OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN PARTY RESPONDS TO FAR-LEFT ATTEMPT TO REPEAL SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS

(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) - During a press conference Monday, Democrat state representative Jason Lowe announced his filing of a repeal petition to repeal House Bill 2597, commonly known as constitutional carry. He was joined by far-left activist groups including Bloomberg-funded Moms Demand Action and Young Democrats of America.

Per the rules surrounding repeal petitions in Oklahoma, the out-of-state activist groups will be required to acquire tens of thousands of signatures in the next 10 days in order to have their repeal question placed upon the 2020 ballot.

In response to Rep. Lowe's announcement, Oklahoma Republican Party chairman David McLain released the following statement:

"Our Republican-led legislature voted overwhelmingly in 2019 to protect Oklahomans' constitutional right to carry and through Governor Kevin Stitt's leadership, Oklahomans will soon be allowed to fully exercise their Second Amendment right to bear arms. The Oklahoma Republican Party stands ready to defend every Oklahoman's right to bear arms and we stand firmly against the far-left agenda of Oklahoma Democrat lawmakers and out-of-state socialists."

BREAKING: OK Dems to attempt initiative to repeal Constitutional Carry

State Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC), supported by the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action, the president of the Young Democrats of America, and other groups, announced today that he has filed with the Secretary of State to collect signatures for an initiative petition to overturn permit-less carry (aka Constitutional Carry) legislation here in Oklahoma.

The press release announcing the move is below:

MEDIA ADVISORY: Lowe to Hold Press Conference to Announce Referendum Petition on Permit-Less Carry Legislation

WHO: Representative Jason Lowe, Joshua Harris-Till – President of Young Democrats of America, Jennifer Birch – Oklahoma Deputy Chapter Lead of Moms Demand Action, Rev. Lori Walke – OKC Faith Outreach Lead, Moms Demand Action

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: TODAY, August 12, at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Room 432B of the State Capitol

WHY: Today Representative Jason Lowe has filed language with the Secretary of State to repeal House Bill 2597 commonly known as Permit-less carry. He and the groups joining him believe the people of Oklahoma should decide if removing training and permits for firearms are the right decision for our state. With a very narrow window of 10 days, Representative Lowe hopes to get tens of thousands of signatures in order to place this question on the 2020 ballot.

Moms Demand Action is part of a nationwide anti-gun organization founded by the infamously anti-Second Amendment former mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg was influential in the 2018 defeat of 5th District Republican Congressman Steve Russell. Former Oklahoma governor, senator, and OU president David Boren used to be on the advisory board of the national organization ('Everytown for Gun Safety') that oversees MDA.

Joshua Harris-Till twice ran for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District. In 2014, he lost in the primary, and was the 2016 Democratic nominee, garnering just over 23% of the vote. He was elected as national president of the Young Democrats of America at their 2019 convention last month.

Lori Walke is the wife of State Rep. Collin Walke (D-OKC), one of the most liberal members of the Oklahoma Legislature.

HB 2597 was the first bill signed into law by Governor Stitt in February 2019, after passing the House by a vote of 70-30 and the Senate by a vote of 40-7. HB 2597 established “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 eighteen years of age and in the military, if the person is not otherwise disqualified to purchase a firearm.

Stitt comments on signing Constitutional Carry; House Dem Leader decries

Following Governor Stitt's signing of the Constitutional Carry bill yesterday, his office sent out the following press release. I'm also posting the reaction from House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, underneath Stitt's statement.

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SIGNS LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH “CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY” IN OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City, Okla. (February 27, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt today 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. “I would like to thank Representative Jon Echols and Senator Kim David for championing this piece of legislation and for finding balance for both private property owners and our Second Amendment rights.”

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 eighteen years of age and in the military, if the person is not otherwise disqualified to purchase a firearm.

Provisions in the bill include the following:

• Under the bill, you cannot carry a concealed or unconcealed handgun in public and private schools K-college, public or private sports arenas, gambling facilities, government buildings, and private businesses, unless allowed by owner.  
• The bill maintains current law that you must pass a background check to purchase a gun.
• The bill maintains current law that you must disclose guns in your possession when requested by law enforcement officer.
• The bill maintains current law that those convicted with a felony cannot own or buy a gun.
• Gun owners can still obtain a license in Oklahoma, with reciprocity recognized in multiple states across the nation.

HB 2597 goes into effect November 1, 2019.

Leader Virgin Releases Statement on Permitless Carry

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Minority Leader Emily Virgin (D-Norman) released the following statement after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed permitless carry legislation into law today.

“It is disappointing that this issue is clearly the top priority for the Republicans at 23rd & Lincoln given that it's the first and only bill that has been fast-tracked through the legislative process and signed by the Governor,” Virgin said. “We're facing many issues as a state, but access to firearms isn't one of them. We have schools falling apart, teachers leaving and rural hospitals closing. It seems out of touch that Oklahoma’s government has spent so much time on this dangerous and reckless legislation. I hope next week we can finally start talking about how to expand Medicaid and get more money into Oklahoma’s public school classrooms.”

Supplemental Information from Everytown.org [Blogger's note: this is a far-left anti-gun organization started by anti-gun fanatic and former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg, who put $400k into ousting 5th District Congressman Steve Russell in the 2018 election with a related PAC]:

• 2003 Alaska adopted permit less carry by 2017 their rates of assault with a firearm increased by 82%.
• 2010 Arizona adopted permit less carry by 2017 their rates of assault with a firearm increased by 39%.
• 2017 Missouri adopted permit less carry and St. Louis saw a 25% increase in assault with a firearm compared to 2016.
• 88% of Americans think you should get a permit before carrying a handgun in public.

Constitutional Carry passes Senate, signed by Gov. Stitt

Governor Stitt signs Constitutional Carry (photo courtesy of Aaron Brilbeck with News9)

Governor Kevin Stitt has signed his first bill into law, applying his signature to House Bill 2597 ("Constitutional Carry") a short while ago at a bill signing ceremony at the State Capitol.

Below is the press release from the Senate following passage, and underneath are comments from State Rep. Sean Roberts and State Sen. Nathan Dahm (all were sent before Governor Stitt signed the measure):

Senate sends constitutional carry bill to governor’s desk

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday sent the constitutional carry bill to the governor’s desk. House Bill 2597, authored in the Senate by Majority Floor Leader Kim David, was approved with a bipartisan vote of 40-6.

The bill:

• Permits Oklahomans age 21 and older to carry a firearm without a permit.
• Permits veterans, active duty, and reserve military age 18 and over to carry without a permit.
• Prohibits felons and those with domestic violence convictions or who have been adjudicated as having a mental illness from carrying a firearm.

Additionally, the bill maintains current protections allowing private property owners to prohibit firearms from being carried onto their property. The bill also maintains the ability of higher education institutions to set their own policies regarding the carrying of firearms on campuses.

Upon the governor’s signature, Oklahoma would become the 16th state to allow constitutional carry. The citizens of the 15 states where constitutional carry is allowed can carry without a permit in Oklahoma. Bordering constitutional carry states include Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

“This is great legislation that enhances and strengthens both Second Amendment rights and private property rights of Oklahomans. This bill also grants the same rights and trust to Oklahomans that the citizens of 15 other states have had in our state for years. I appreciate the members of the Senate for sending this measure to the governor’s desk and look forward to it being signed into law,” said David, R-Porter.

“Second Amendment rights and property rights are not mutually exclusive, and this bill strikes the right balance to strengthen and enhance both rights of Oklahoma citizens. I congratulate Senator Kim David on all of her hard work in getting this bill through the legislative process and look forward to it gaining the governor’s signature,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Rep. Sean Roberts Comments on Signing of Constitutional Carry Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, commented today on Gov. Stitt’s signing of House Bill 2597, otherwise known as constitutional carry:

“Law-abiding citizens should have the ability to exercise their Constitutional right to carry firearms without government interference. Passing Constitutional carry has been one of my priorities for several years, and I’m pleased my colleagues in the Senate overwhelmingly voted to uphold the Second Amendment rights of Oklahoma’s citizens. I am grateful to Governor Stitt for his strong support of this bill and his willingness to address this important issue and I look forward to continuing the fight to uphold our Constitutional rights.”

Senator Dahm comments on passage of Constitutional Carry Bill

On Wednesday, the Oklahoma State Senate passed House Bill 2597, which would restore 2nd Amendment Rights for law-abiding Oklahomans by enacting Constitutional Carry in Oklahoma. Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, released the following statement regarding passage of the measure.

“The core function of government should be protecting fundamental rights. 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.”

Sen. Dahm’s response to questions regarding whether Gov. Stitt would sign the legislation -

“There is a renewed energy at the Capitol with the leadership we have seen from Governor Stitt. It’s encouraging to finally have a Governor who has shown leadership and a desire to defend the rights of the people. I look forward to the Governor having the opportunity to sign legislation restoring fundamental rights as his first bill signed into law. And I look forward to working with him and his administration for years to come to set Oklahoma on a path for future generations to benefit from in every area.”

HB2597 would keep the existing licensing option for those who choose to use that path and would also create the ability for law-abiding citizens 21 and up or military members 18 and up to legally carry a firearm for self-defense without that requirement. Thirteen other states have already enacted Constitutional Carry laws with South Dakota passing it just last month. Oklahoma law currently allows the citizens of those states to exercise their Constitutional Carry rights in Oklahoma and HB2597 would extend that same right to law-abiding Oklahomans as well.

Constitutional Carry bill advances through Senate committee

Senate committee OKs Senator Kim David’s constitutional carry bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill by Majority Floor Leader Kim David that would permit Oklahomans to carry firearms without a permit.

The committee voted 18-4 for the so-called “constitutional carry” bill and sent the measure on to be considered by the entire Senate.

House Bill 2597 by David and Representative Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, would permit Oklahomans age 21 and older to carry a firearm without a permit. Veterans, active duty, and reserve military age 18 and over would be allowed to carry without a permit under the bill. The bill also prohibits felons and those with domestic violence convictions or who have been adjudicated as having a mental illness from carrying a firearm.

Current protections that allow private property owners to prohibit firearms from being carried are maintained under the bill. The measure also maintains the ability of higher education institutions to set their own policies regarding the carrying of firearms on campuses.

Fifteen other states allow constitutional carry, and the citizens of those states have enjoyed the ability to carry without a permit in Oklahoma for years. Bordering states include Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

“This is a compromise approach to protect and enhance the Second Amendment rights of Oklahomans while also maintaining private property rights,” said David, R-Porter. “For years, we’ve granted the citizens of other states the right to carry without a permit. I’m proud to run legislation that grants the same rights to Oklahoma citizens. I appreciate the members of the Appropriations Committee who supported this measure and will keep working to see it through the process.”