Despite a Republican supermajority in the legislature, Oklahoma hasn't seen too many substantial pro-2A bills approved since Constitutional Carry was signed into law in 2019. Efforts to adopt a campus carry statute have consistently failed, adults under the age of 21 are generally denied their right to bear arms (with or without a concealed carry permit), and virtually all government buildings are considered "sensitive places" where lawful concealed carry is not allowed.
That includes the state capitol building, though there was a bill introduced this year to repeal the "gun-free zone" status. Unfortunately, HB 3094 died in committee this week, with a number of Republicans joining Democrats in rejecting the measure.
Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, said she had concerns about guns being allowed in the building, and lawmakers being vulnerable while on the House or Senate floor if there are protesters in the gallery.
Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, said it’s “unreasonable” to add more to the plates of legislative and administrative assistants who are often on the “front lines” and interacting with visitors who can be emotional or upset.
Texas, Kansas, and Missouri all allow for concealed carry at their capitol buildings, and there hasn't been an issue. Heck, even Minnesota allows concealed carry licensees to carry in the capitol complex... though Democrats are trying to change that this session.
I don't even understand Osburn's belief that allowing concealed carry would put legislative aids and staffers at risk, I'd argue the opposite is true. I've been to the Oklahoma state capitol building countless times as a reporter, and parking for visitors and employees is a bit of a hike to the building itself. The capitol and surrounding legislative buildings are also not in a great part of town. There were times when I felt unsafe walking back to my car after covering a legislative hearing or a protest on the grounds, and I'm guessing that many staffers do as well. Keeping the capitol a "gun-free zone" doesn't just block visitors from carrying. It ensures that everyone who works at the statehouse is disarmed as well.
Tim Tipton, commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, which protects the Capitol, would need greater manpower and resources if the bill became law. He said he would need to conduct a full threat assessment before estimating the cost.
Threats against public officials have been higher in the last few years than at any other point during his 37 years with the Highway Patrol, Tipton said.
“I’m not scared of guns, I carry a gun every day,” he said. “All my family carry guns every day. I’m scared of the intent of ill-willed people who I believe could circumvent the no-carry policy in this building and put you all at risk. And ultimately, I’m responsible for your safety.”
Tipton said checking an individual’s license doesn’t always give law enforcement the whole picture, and running it through a system to check its validity could hold up security lines for entry to the Capitol.
Well, gee, Tim. If you believe that "ill-willed" people can circumvent the no-carry policy that's already in place, why on earth shouldn't lawful gun owners be able to carry in self-defense against those bad actors? Avoiding longer lines for entry at the Capitol doesn't seem like a good enough reason to me.
Republicans have been more supportive, at least to date, of a proposal to bring gun safety education to K-12 students, but even that legislation is far from assured of passage. Oklahoma is still a Second Amendment-friendly state, to be sure. It's a shame, though, that the Republican supermajority is so skittish about strengthening the right to keep and bear arms that they're willing to stand pat with the status quo.
Editor’s Note: The radical left will stop at nothing to enact their radical gun control agenda and strip us of our Second Amendment rights, and we need 2A champions willing to strengthen and defend those rights.
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