OK:Reform of Gun Restrictions in Parking Lots Passes House

The Oklahoma House passed a gun reform bill on Monday, 10 March by the healthy margin of 74-17.  The bill, HB2329, seems relatively uncontroversial, as it brings school parking lots in line with other public parking lots for buildings where second amendment rights are restricted under Oklahoma Law.

Currently, governmental office space used for conducting business with the public, prisons, jails and detention facilities, schools, sports arenas (during events), and  places where pari-mutual wagering is authorized, are places where the exercise of second amendment rights, even by people with permits, is not allowed.

It is legal to have a firearm in vehicles in the parking lots of all of these places except for schools.   The penalty for leaving the vehicle unlocked and unattended, with a firearm inside, or for taking the firearm into the prohibited place, is a misdemeanor with a possible fine of up to $250.   Having a firearm at a school parking lot, or taking one into a school, is a felony with a potential fine of up to $5,000!

While the experience of other states indicates that the list of places could be shortened a good deal, the legislation that passed the house is modest.  It simply brings the prohibition for schools in line with the rest of prohibited places, allowing lawful storage of firearms in locked vehicles in parking lots.   It  standardizes the penalty for bringing a firearm into a prohibited place, or for leaving the firearm in an unlocked vehicle, to a misdemeanor and a potential fine of $250 dollars.


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