OK: Constitutional Carry Passes House, 59-28

On Wednesday, 25 April, 2018, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a Constitutional Carry bill, SB 1212, 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. From kfor.com:

Other critics say constitutional carry would put law enforcement at risk, but the bill's author says that shouldn't be put above a citizen's right.

"I do not support the rights of law enforcement to feel not threatened or safe to the detriment of my own constitutional rights," said Rep. Jeff Coody, the bill's author.

After amended, the bill then passed the House 59-28 . Now the amended bill moves back to the Senate for approval.

What do gun enthusiasts think?

Mike, a member of the Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association, says he sat in on the House debate at the Capitol.

"It will allow people in Oklahoma to have a gun to protect themselves without putting themselves in jeopardy and without going through the entire permit process and paying close to $300," Mike said.

The bill was amended in the House, cleaning up some language, and amending the bill into a Constitutional Carry bill. This allows a vote in the Senate on the Constitutional Carry bill. The Oklahoma Senate has 38 Republicans and 10 Democrats. If the amended bill comes up for a vote, it is likely the amended bill will pass the Senate. If it does, and Governor Mary Fallin signs the bill, Oklahoma will become the next state to pass Constitutional Carry.

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 adults who do not have felony convictions or domestic violence misdemeanor convictions to carry firearms openly or concealed, in most public places.

The Third Millennium has seen a resurgence in Constitutional Carry. Vermont has always been a Constitutional Carry state.

 In 2003, Alaska passed the reform to restore the exercise of Second Amendment rights. In 2010, Arizona passed Constitutional Carry. In 2011, Wyoming, 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.

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

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

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