Jonah Patel
On February 27, 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, establishing Constitutional Carry in the state of Oklahoma. This law allows the concealed or unconcealed carry of firearms by any person who is at least twenty-one years old or at least eighteen years old and in the military, provided they are not otherwise disqualified from purchasing a firearm. The law came into effect on November 1, 2019, making Oklahoma one of the most gun-friendly states in the nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Law | November 1, 2019 |
| Who Can Carry | Anyone 21+ or 18+ with a permit from out-of-state and in the military |
| Permit Required | No |
| Type of Firearm | Handgun, loaded or unloaded, concealed or unconcealed |
| Location | Not in government buildings, schools, sports arenas, gambling facilities, or while consuming alcohol |
| Private Property | Requires permission of the property owner |
| Background Check | Not required, but available for those who want a permit |
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What You'll Learn
Oklahoma's gun laws
Oklahoma has some of the most permissive gun laws in the United States. It is a constitutional carry, open carry, and concealed carry state, with some of the fewest restrictions on possessing and carrying firearms.
Constitutional Carry
Oklahoma is a constitutional carry state, meaning that, as of November 1, 2019, a permit is not required for a person to carry a firearm, concealed or unconcealed, in public. This applies to individuals 21 years of age or older, or 18-20 years of age if they are a member or veteran of the US Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, or were discharged under honorable conditions. However, individuals must not be disqualified from possessing or purchasing a firearm under state or federal law and must not carry the firearm with the intention of committing a crime.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Oklahoma without a license, for anyone who can legally own a firearm and is 21 or older (or at least 18 years old for members or veterans of the US military). The firearm must be carried in lawful self-defense, self-protection, or any other legitimate purpose such as hunting, fishing, or recreational purposes.
Concealed Carry
As of November 1, 2019, Oklahoma no longer requires a license to carry a concealed firearm. This applies to individuals 21+ years old (or 18+ with a permit from out-of-state). However, individuals must still meet certain requirements, such as passing a background check and a firearms handling and safety course, to be issued a permit.
Prohibited Persons and Places
While Oklahoma has permissive gun laws, there are still rules and restrictions in place. Prohibited persons—those who cannot legally purchase or possess a firearm—include felons, fugitives, addicts, and those under a domestic violence restraining order or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor. Additionally, carrying a firearm in certain places is prohibited, including government buildings, school grounds, and establishments whose primary purpose is serving alcoholic beverages.
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Who can carry a gun?
The Oklahoma Constitution guarantees citizens the right to bear arms to defend themselves or their property. The state has some of the most permissive gun laws in the nation, allowing most adults to carry guns openly without a permit. However, there are still rules and restrictions in place regarding who can carry a gun and where they can carry it.
In Oklahoma, anyone over the age of 21 can carry a gun in public without a permit, provided they are legally allowed to possess a firearm and are not carrying it for the purpose of committing a crime. This is known as "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry". The state also allows individuals aged 18 to 20 who are serving in or are veterans of the military to carry firearms without a permit.
To be eligible to carry a gun in Oklahoma, an individual must not fall into the category of a "prohibited person". Prohibited persons are those who are federally banned from purchasing or possessing firearms, including felons, fugitives, addicts, and those under a domestic violence restraining order or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanour. Additionally, those who have been convicted of certain offences, such as aggravated assault and battery, are also prohibited from carrying firearms in the state. It is also illegal for undocumented immigrants to carry firearms in Oklahoma.
There are certain places in Oklahoma where carrying a firearm is prohibited, including government buildings, K-12 schools, vocational-technical schools, school buses, and bars or establishments where liquor sales are the main purpose of the business. Carrying a firearm on private property generally requires the consent of the property owner.
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Where you can carry a gun
Oklahoma has some of the most permissive gun laws in the nation. It is a constitutional carry, open carry, and concealed carry state. While it has some of the fewest restrictions on possessing and carrying firearms, rules still exist and violations can mean fines or jail time.
In Oklahoma, most people may carry firearms openly or concealed, without a permit, as long as they are 21 years of age or older, or are a member or veteran of the US military and are not carrying for the purpose of committing a crime.
However, there are some places where carrying a firearm is prohibited. These include:
- Schools: It is a misdemeanor to bring a firearm onto the property of K-12 schools, vocational-technical schools, or school buses. There are exceptions for authorized personnel and weapons properly stored in vehicles when dropping off or picking up students.
- Bars or other establishments where liquor sales are the primary purpose of the business: It is a misdemeanor to bring a firearm into these establishments unless you are the owner, an employee with the owner's permission, or an on-duty law enforcement officer or private investigator.
- Government buildings: Carrying a firearm in a government building is illegal, except for licensed government or security personnel, such as state police officers, federal agents, and certain security guards.
- College campuses: Carry on college campuses is illegal.
- Private property: Carrying a firearm on private property generally requires the consent or permission of the property owner.
In addition, there are certain people who are prohibited from carrying firearms in Oklahoma. These include:
- People who have been convicted of certain crimes, such as assault and battery that seriously injures the victim.
- Undocumented immigrants.
- People who are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescribed drugs that affect them enough to cause abnormal behavior.
- People who are carrying a firearm with a caliber greater than .45.
It is important to note that gun laws are complex and constantly changing. Before carrying any firearm, individuals should consult an attorney or expert who specializes in firearms laws to ensure they are complying with all applicable regulations.
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Gun law violations
On November 1, 2019, Oklahoma became a constitutional carry or permitless carry state. This means that, as long as they are 21 or older, most adults can carry a firearm in public without a permit. However, there are still rules and restrictions on who can possess a firearm and where they can carry it.
The Oklahoma Constitution guarantees citizens the right to bear arms to defend themselves or their property. However, violations of gun laws can result in fines or jail time.
It is a felony to possess, use, attempt to use, carry, manufacture, cause to be manufactured, import, advertise for sale, or sell ammunition that has "a core of less than sixty percent (60%) lead" or "has a fluorocarbon coating capable of penetrating body armor". This is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Penalties for unlawful possession are the harshest for those with prior convictions or adjudications. These violations are felonies with a possible prison sentence of one to 10 years. Federal law also places firearm bans on certain persons, including felons, fugitives, addicts, and those under a domestic violence restraining order or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanour.
In addition, it is illegal to carry a firearm in certain places, including schools, government buildings, and establishments whose primary purpose is to serve alcohol. Carrying a firearm on private property generally requires the consent or permission of the property owner. It is also illegal to brandish a firearm without good legal cause, such as self-defence or defence of property.
Oklahoma also has unlawful carry laws that place restrictions on who can carry a firearm. For example, it is illegal for undocumented immigrants to carry handguns and dangerous firearms. It is also illegal to carry or use guns while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescribed drugs that affect behaviour. Violations of these laws can result in fines ranging from $50 to $500 and possible jail time of up to six months.
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The Second Amendment
In the state of Oklahoma, the Second Amendment is taken seriously, with some of the most permissive gun laws in the nation. Oklahoma has long been an open-carry state, allowing most adults to carry guns openly without a permit, as long as they have a legitimate purpose and are not violating other laws. The state became even more gun-friendly in 2019 when it eliminated the license requirement for carrying concealed handguns.
On February 27, 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, establishing Constitutional Carry in the state. This law allows the concealed or unconcealed carry of firearms by any person who is at least 21 years old or at least 18 years old and in the military, provided they are not otherwise disqualified from purchasing a firearm. The law took effect on November 1, 2019, making Oklahoma a permitless carry state for those legally eligible to possess a firearm.
While Oklahoma has very relaxed gun laws, there are still some restrictions on who can possess a firearm and where guns can be carried. Prohibited persons include felons, fugitives, addicts, and those under a domestic violence restraining order or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanour. Carrying a firearm in certain places, such as government buildings, schools, and establishments whose primary purpose is serving alcoholic beverages, is also illegal.
Oklahoma's gun laws continue to evolve, with the state legislature considering and passing various pro-gun bills in recent years, including measures to strengthen the right to keep and bear arms and prevent discrimination against the firearm industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitutional carry started in Oklahoma on November 1, 2019.
In Oklahoma, most adults 21 and older can carry firearms. Some military persons aged 18 to 21 are also allowed to carry firearms.
Open carry means carrying a firearm in a holster, scabbard, sling, or case designed for carrying firearms, where the firearm is visible. Concealed carry means carrying a firearm that is not openly visible.
No, Oklahoma is a permitless carry state, meaning you do not need a permit to carry a firearm. However, permits are still available and issued by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Yes, there are some restrictions on where you can carry a firearm in Oklahoma. You cannot carry a firearm in certain places, such as government buildings, schools, and establishments that primarily serve alcoholic beverages.
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