Jonah Patel
On February 27, 2019, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which repealed the requirement for a license and background check to carry firearms in public. This bill, championed by Representative Jon Echols and Senator Kim David, established Constitutional Carry in the state, allowing individuals over the age of 21 (or 18 and in the military) to carry firearms openly or concealed without a permit. The bill faced opposition from some, including House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, who raised concerns about public safety and called for a focus on gun safety measures. Despite the controversy, the bill's passage solidified Oklahoma's stance on gun rights and marked a significant shift in the state's gun legislation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | February 27, 2019 |
| Bill | House Bill 2597 |
| Signed by | Governor Kevin Stitt |
| Effective date | November 1, 2019 |
| Age requirement | 21+ (or 18+ and in the military) |
| Requirements | Cannot carry into schools, government buildings, sports venues, or places where gambling is authorized |
| Recognition of out-of-state permits | Yes, recognizes any valid concealed or unconcealed carry permit issued by another state |
| Background checks | Not required for residents, but required for non-residents |
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What You'll Learn
- The bill was signed by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2019
- The bill allows both residents and non-residents over 21 to carry without a permit
- Oklahoma recognizes out-of-state handgun carry permits
- The bill was opposed by House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson
- The bill was supported by Don Spencer, President of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association
The bill was signed by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2019
On February 27, 2019, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, also known as the "Constitutional Carry" or "Open Carry" bill, into law. The bill allows both residents and non-residents of Oklahoma who are 21 years of age or older (or 18 years of age and in the military) to openly or concealed carry firearms without a permit or license. This means that eligible individuals can carry loaded firearms in public, either openly or concealed, without having to obtain a license or undergo a background check, as was previously required.
The "Constitutional Carry" bill establishes the right of eligible individuals to carry firearms for self-defense, reflecting the interpretation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states the right to "keep and bear arms." The bill was approved by the Oklahoma Legislature and Governor Stitt in a swift 23 days, and it took effect on November 1, 2019.
It is important to note that there are still some restrictions on where firearms can be carried in Oklahoma. For example, it is illegal to carry firearms in schools, government buildings, certain sports venues, and establishments that primarily serve alcoholic beverages. Additionally, individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes, such as felony or violent misdemeanor offenses, are prohibited from carrying firearms without a Governor's Pardon.
The "Constitutional Carry" law in Oklahoma is part of a broader movement in the United States to relax gun control restrictions and affirm the right to carry firearms in public. As of March 7, 2024, Oklahoma is one of 29 states that have enacted some form of constitutional carry legislation. However, there is also ongoing debate and concern about the potential impact of these laws on public safety, particularly in light of the increasing number of mass shootings in the country.
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The bill allows both residents and non-residents over 21 to carry without a permit
On February 27, 2019, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which allows both residents and non-residents over 21 to carry a firearm openly or concealed without a permit. The bill, which came into effect on November 1, 2019, also applies to 18-20-year-olds serving in the military.
The bill, also known as the "Constitutional Carry" bill, establishes the right to carry a firearm without a permit, subject to certain restrictions. These restrictions include a ban on carrying firearms into schools, government buildings, and any place where gambling is authorised, such as a casino. Additionally, individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms with a calibre greater than .45 and from consuming alcoholic beverages while carrying.
The "Constitutional Carry" bill was championed by Representative Jon Echols and Senator Kim David, who sought to balance private property owners' rights with Second Amendment rights. The bill was approved in just 23 days, and Governor Stitt highlighted the strong support for the Second Amendment among Oklahomans as a key factor in his decision to sign the bill into law.
The bill's passage reflects a broader trend in the United States towards recognising the right to keep and bear arms without restrictions. This trend is supported by several Supreme Court decisions, including McDonald v. Chicago in 2010 and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen in 2022, which affirmed the right to public carry of firearms and imposed strict scrutiny on state-level firearms laws.
It is worth noting that while the "Constitutional Carry" bill removes the permit requirement for firearm carry in Oklahoma, the state still issues handgun licenses for individuals who wish to carry in other states. Additionally, non-residents from states that allow permitless carry under the age of 21 are allowed to carry without a permit in Oklahoma at the age permitted by their state of residence.
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Oklahoma recognizes out-of-state handgun carry permits
On February 27, 2019, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, establishing Constitutional Carry in the state. The bill allows any person who is at least 21 years of age or at least 18 years of age and in the military to carry firearms, concealed or unconcealed, without a license. However, this does not apply to those disqualified from purchasing a firearm.
In addition to allowing permitless carry for its own residents, Oklahoma also recognizes any valid concealed or unconcealed handgun carry permit or license issued by another state. This means that visitors to Oklahoma with a valid handgun carry permit from their home state can continue to carry their firearm while in Oklahoma, as long as they follow the same laws and restrictions as those carrying with an Oklahoma license.
Oklahoma issues handgun licenses to its residents and military personnel and their spouses stationed in the state. The process involves meeting minimum qualifications, including completing a firearms safety and training course, and submitting an application to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). The OSBI must then issue or deny the license within a specified timeframe.
It is important to note that there are still restrictions on where firearms can be carried in Oklahoma, even with a license. These locations include public and private schools, sports arenas, gambling facilities, and government buildings. Additionally, certain convictions, such as felony or violent misdemeanor convictions, may prohibit an individual from carrying a firearm in Oklahoma, even with a license from another state.
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The bill was opposed by House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson
On February 27, 2019, Oklahoma Governor Stitt approved House Bill 2597, establishing "Constitutional Carry" in the state. The bill allows anyone over the age of 21, or between 18 and 21 and in the military, to carry a firearm, either concealed or unconcealed, without a license.
As a passionate advocate for education and criminal justice reform, Munson has spent over a decade working in the nonprofit community. She previously served as the Development and Community Engagement Coordinator for the OK Messages Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving children's lives through shared reading with their incarcerated parents. Munson is also the first Asian-American to be elected as House Minority Leader in Oklahoma.
In addition to her work in the nonprofit sector, Munson has introduced and supported various bills aimed at improving the lives of Oklahomans. For example, she has worked to expand the sales tax relief credit, which targets tax relief to middle and low-income families. She has also expressed a commitment to ensuring fully funded public schools and increasing access to higher-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and housing for Oklahomans.
While some celebrated the passage of HB 2597 as a victory for Second Amendment rights, Munson and other opponents argued that it could potentially lead to increased gun violence and make it more difficult to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.
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The bill was supported by Don Spencer, President of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association
On February 27, 2019, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which repealed the requirement for a license and background check to carry firearms in public. The bill was supported by Don Spencer, President of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, who believed it brought Oklahoma in line with the US Constitution and the Second Amendment. Spencer stated that the Second Amendment "says the right of the people to keep [and] bear arms shall not be infringed."
House Bill 2597, also known as the "Constitutional Carry" bill, allows both residents and non-residents aged 21 and over to carry firearms openly or concealed without a permit. It also permits individuals aged 18 and over to carry firearms if they are in the military. This bill made Oklahoma the 29th state to enact constitutional carry.
The bill was approved quickly, in just 23 days, and came into effect on November 1, 2019. The "Constitutional Carry" bill established the right to carry firearms without a license, as long as the individual was legally eligible to possess a firearm. This change in the law meant that Oklahoma residents no longer needed to obtain a license or undergo a background check to carry firearms in public.
Don Spencer, President of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, supported the bill because it aligned with his interpretation of the Second Amendment. Spencer's comments suggest that he believes the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms, which should not be infringed upon by the government. He also implied that mass shootings could be prevented or resolved more effectively if more people were armed, stating that "many shootings are happening in 'gun-free zones,' [...] as soon as the second firearm shows up, these types of situations come to a quicker resolution."
While the "Constitutional Carry" bill removed some restrictions on firearm possession, certain limitations remained in place. For example, carrying firearms in schools, government buildings, and certain public spaces like sports arenas and gambling facilities was still prohibited. Additionally, individuals with certain criminal records, such as felony convictions or specific misdemeanor convictions, were not permitted to carry firearms without receiving a Governor's Pardon first.
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Frequently asked questions
Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2597, which established constitutional carry in Oklahoma. Representative Jon Echols and Senator Kim David were also thanked for championing this legislation.
The constitutional carry law in Oklahoma allows anyone over the age of 21 to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, without a license. Non-residents of Oklahoma from states that allow permitless carry under the age of 21 are also allowed to carry without a permit in Oklahoma.
To carry a firearm in Oklahoma, an individual must be at least 21 years old or at least 18 years old and in the military. They must also not be disqualified to purchase a firearm.
Carrying a firearm in schools, government buildings, sports arenas, gambling facilities, and establishments that primarily serve alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Oklahoma.
