Is Governor Fallin Failing Constitutional Carry?

On 2 May, 2018, the Oklahoma Senate passed Constitutional Carry. The bill, SB 1212 has been sent to Governor Fallin's desk. The popular bill passed both the House and the Senate by veto proof margins. It passed the Senate on a 33-8 vote.

On 25 April, 2018, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed Constitutional Carry by a vote of 59-28.  The bill had already passed the Senate unanimously on March 6th, 2018, but as a bill removing wildlife refuges as gun free zones. The amendment process allowed the bill to bypass Senate committees that had blocked Constitutional Carry in the past.


But the legislature no longer has the power to overrule a veto by Governor Fallin, or a "pocket veto" which will happen if she simply ignores the law and fails to sign it. The legislature has adjourned for the year. From nraila.org:

Currently sitting on Governor Fallin’s desk is constitutional carry legislation, Senate Bill 1212. With time running out for her to take action, it is important that you contact Governor Fallin immediately and urge her to sign this important self-defense legislation into law.

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Again, please contact Governor Mary Fallin at 405-521-2342 and strongly urge her to sign Senate Bill 1212 into law.

Anti-carry groups are engaged in heavy lobbying as well, urging Governor Fallin to veto the bill as a last ditch effort to stop the popular measure. From newsok.com:

Fallin has about two weeks to decide whether to sign Senate Bill 1212, which would allow Oklahoma residents who are at least 21 to carry a firearm without a permit or training.

Michael McNutt, the governor's spokesman, said Monday, "The governor's office is receiving heavy traffic in the form of emails and calls from both sides of the issue regarding SB 1212. The governor is discussing the measure with her staff as well as reviewing input from citizens, groups, agencies and others."

Constitutional Carry refers to the state of law when the Bill of Rights was passed in 1791. At that time, no permits were required to buy, possess, or carry firearms in the United States.  In states with Constitutional Carry, no permit is required for most adults to carry firearms openly or concealed.

A resurgence in Constitutional Carry has been happening since 2003.

In 2003, Alaska passed the reform to restore the exercise of Second Amendment rights. After seven more years, in 2010, Arizona passed Constitutional Carry. In 2011 Wyoming passed their version of the concept.

In 2013, Arkansas passed Act 746 into law. It is effectively Constitutional Carry, but is disputed by some county prosecutors. In 2015, Kansas, and Maine joined the Constitutional Carry club. In 2016, Idaho, Missouri, West Virginia, and Mississippi enacted Constitutional Carry. In 2017, New Hampshire, and North Dakota were added to the list. Vermont has always been a Constitutional Carry state.

If Governor Fallin signs SB 1212 into law, Oklahoma will be the 14th Constitutional Carry state in the nation.

Several other states have come close to passing Constitutional Carry. Utah, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana and others all have legislation that has come close to passage. There will be a serious push to pass Constitutional Carry in Texas in 2019 during the next legislative session.


 ©2018 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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