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.”

The Blogging Brief

• Travis Gearhart at KTracy.com has penned a good article about Open Carry, which is particularly relevant given recent legislation in the Oklahoma Legislature regarding the aforementioned subject.

• SoonerPoll surveyed the 5th Congressional District race during the past two weeks (February 25th through March 10th... seems to me like a very long poll timetable). Kevin Calvey came in first, with 19.9%, Mike Thompson had 8.6%, and James Lankford got 7%; 62.6% were undecided. I met Lankford here in Muskogee this weekend, and found him to be a very appealing candidate. Since it appears unlikely for any candidate to receive 50%+1, this race will go to a runoff. If Lankford can make the runoff, he could very well enter as the frontrunner, as he seems well-set to draw either Thompson's voters or Calvey's supporters, depending on whoever else is in the runoff.

• This past week was very contentious in the Oklahoma Legislature. Tempers flared over texting-while-driving bans, open carry legislation, and the moving of President Obama's portrait.

• House Democrats are apparently considering using the "Slaughter Solution" to pass ObamaCare without actually voting on the bill. Larry Jackson has more information here.

• The Texas State Board of Education has recommended new changes to state curriculum, specifically as it relates to social studies. Here's a very biased AP article on the issue, complete with historical errors, such as referring to John Calvin (one of the great Reformers of the 16th Century) as a "Puritan theologian". Calvin preceded the Puritan movement, although his teachings did influence aspects of it.