Two sides weigh in on 'constitutional carry' bill
If Gov. Fallin signs Senate Bill 1212, gun owners over the age of 21 will be able to skip getting a license to concealed carry.
The bill, which is similar to so-called constitutional carry legislation that has been adopted in a dozen other states, authorizes people 21 and older and military personnel who are at least 18 to legally carry a handgun, either openly or concealed, without a state-issued license or permit.
"This is a constitutional right so you shouldn't have to pay a fee or a tax to exercise a right," said Don Spencer, with the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association.
Spencer said carrying a gun is a right, not a privilege, so a license shouldn't be required.
"As a CLEET-certified firearm instructor, anything you do that you might enjoy might be dangerous but, also, being unprepared I consider more dangerous," Spencer said.
The greater Oklahoma City Chamber, which is asking the governor not to sign the bill, disagrees, saying open access to dangerous weapons is a concern for businesses.
"Our coalition does not have a problem with gun ownership. That is not what this is about," chamber representative Cynthia Reid said. "What it's about is the ability of someone to control the space that they own and what happens in that space."
In a statement to KOCO, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said that, under Senate Bill 1212, there is "no way for law enforcement to distinguish lawful gun owners from unlawful gun owners and no recourse for law enforcement who encounter individuals with firearms unless caught committing a crime."
The OSBI also said it will lose more than $4 million if this bill is signed.
A background check would still be required before a person could purchase a firearm and handguns would remain prohibited in places where they are currently banned, including elementary schools, colleges, universities and government buildings. The bill also excludes anyone prohibited by state or federal law from owning a weapon as well as those convicted of assault and battery, domestic abuse, violating a protective order or drug crimes.
