OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma bill that would allow adult residents to carry a gun without a permit is being heard by the full Senate Wednesday afternoon.
House Bill 2597 was passed last week by senators in committee, and has already passed the full House. New Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has indicated he will sign the bill if it heads to his desk, unlike then-Gov. Mary Fallin, who vetoed similar legislation last year.
Here's what it would do:
The law would allow people to carry a gun without a permit or training. However, guns would still not be allowed on college campuses, according to Senate Majority Floor Leader Kim David, R-Porter, the Senate author. The House Majority Floor Leader is Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City. He's the House Author.
The bill says current protections that allow private property homeowners to prohibit firearms is listed in the legislation.
The measure does not apply to felons, people with adjudicated mental illness or someone convicted of domestic violence.
Fifteen other states already have this law with reciprocity. That means people in other states an carry legally across state lines. That being said, a person who comes to Oklahoma from one of those 15 states actually has more rights to carry than an Oklahoma resident.
As far as the issue of carrying in places like The Gathering Place, the measure would not allow for open-carrying of weapons in those type of places. However, it would permit concealed-carrying of weapons on those kinds of properties. Opponents of the bill say they feel public/private parks should have the say on whether guns should be allowed.
The bill does not permit firearms on property owned or leased by the city, county, town, state or federal government authority conducting business with the public.
The measure says it is unlawful to carry in any public or private elementary or secondary school.
You cannot carry on a publicly-owned or operated sports arena or venue unless the property owner allows it.
You cannot carry where gambling is authorized by law, unless the owner approves it.
People who purchase a gun from an individual do not have to undergo a background check.
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