Column by State Rep. Lundy Kiger
There will be many bills we take up this session for a vote that are difficult and emotional for many people. This is one of those bills and is often referred as constitutional carry. Growing up and while in school we were all taught as U.S. citizens that we have the right to protect ourselves and our families, as found in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Now, legislation has been brought up in the Legislature for all law-abiding Oklahoma citizens to carry a firearm without requiring a purchased permit from the state.
I personally have a conceal carry permit license that I paid to obtain to have the ability to keep a gun on my person for protection. But there are many people in SE Oklahoma who may not have the money to pay for a conceal carry permit, on top of the cost of a gun and training, who should have the same right to protect their family.
Here are the facts pertaining to people who cannot possess or carrying firearms. Convicted felons, people with an adjudicated mental illness, or, a domestic violence conviction or illegal aliens. This bill also continues the restrictions of firearms where carry is already prohibited. This bill also allows private businesses and higher education facilities to decide for themselves if carry will be allowed on their premises. So nothing has changed from the current law as to where guns are allowed.
Fifteen states already have similar constitutional carry legislation that was passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives this week, with many having less gun violence with this right in their state law. While not required if this bill is passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, the state-issued Self Defense Handgun License program currently available would remain in place for persons that still wish to obtain a license to carry in other states for reciprocity such as Arkansas.
This bill also states: “The carrying of a firearm, concealed or unconcealed, loaded or unloaded, by a person who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older or by a person who is eighteen (18) years of age but not yet twenty-one (21) years of age and the person is a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard or was discharged under honorable conditions from the United States Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard, and the person is otherwise not disqualified from the possession or purchase of a firearm under state or federal law and is not carrying the firearm in furtherance of a crime.”
The measure provides that the availability of a license to carry pursuant the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act does not prohibit the lawful transport or carrying of a handgun or pistol in a vehicle or on or about a person whether concealed or unconcealed, loaded or unloaded and without a valid handgun license as permitted by law. People transporting firearms would have to report the possession of the firearm to a law enforcement officer during any arrest, detainment or during a routine traffic stop.
Constitutional carry legislation is also filed in the Senate by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow. A similar bill passed the Legislature last year before being vetoed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin. The bill passed this week would not change federal law, such as requiring background checks for the purchase of a handgun.
Growing up I had several guns, and I was taught by my father how to handle and shoot guns. I also spent time showing my son how to shoot as many of you have done with your children.
In addition to receiving more yes calls on this legislation versus calls to vote no, you now have the reasons for my voting in favor of this measure. But the most important thing to remember as citizens of the United States, this is our right as Americans, no matter if we have money or not to protect our family.
Get Local News!
