NRA-ILA | Oklahoma: Legislative Update on Advancing Gun Bills

The beginning weeks of session have been a torrent of activity for the Second Amendment. Below is an outline of some of the most pressing pro-gun measures that are advancing in the Oklahoma legislature.

Bills up for floor debate in chamber of origin:

House Bill 3070 cleans up language regarding the transporting of a firearm.  The measure deletes language relating to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act due to the enactment of constitutional carry in Oklahoma.

House Bill 3074 amends the statute relating to the transportation of firearms.  The measure clarifies that discharging a firearm from a vessel (boat) is lawful if done for self-defense.

House Bill 3144 provides that a governmental entity may not enter into a contract with a company for the purchase of goods or services unless the contract contains a written verification from the company that it does not have a practice, policy, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association and will not discriminate during the term of the contract against a firearm entity or firearm trade association.

House Bill 3157 removes the power of municipalities to regulate the carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons.  Also, the measure bars any proclamation by the Governor during a state of emergency from containing any prohibition on the manufacture, possession or use of explosives or combustibles that are components used for the manufacture of firearm ammunition or from prohibiting or restricting the business or operations of a firearms or ammunition manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, supplier, retailer, or a gun range.

House Bill 4138 allows the carrying of a firearm on public property at events held on the fairgrounds and in buildings of the fairgrounds that are open to the public during the Oklahoma State Fair or the Tulsa State Fair. 

Senate Bill 186 creates a partial restoration of rights path for nonviolent felons.  The measure would allow for individuals with certain nonviolent felony convictions to recover their Second Amendment rights after a set amount of time and process.

Senate Bill 1341 prohibits any public officer or employees of said officer from using public monies to advocate or promote gun control policies. They may not distribute any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, electronic communication, or radio, television, or video presentation to advocate for gun control nor may they pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient or agent promoting gun control.  Additionally, such persons may not use public monies to advocate for any tax increase relating to gun control policy as well as any proposed, pending, or future requirement or restriction on any legal consumer product including the sale and marketing of the legal consumer product relating to the advocacy or promotion of gun control policy.

Senate Bill 1419 defines any official employee, or person appointed by the governing body of a house of worship who serves as an uncompensated security volunteer, as well as any person consulting or training these volunteers, as a full-time or active reserve certified peace officer. 

Bills for floor in opposite chamber:

House Bill 1662 clarifies the immunity provision for persons asserting claims of self-defense.  The measure provides that at the initial arraignment in a case involving the unlawful use of defensive force, the defendant may file a motion to dismiss the charges based on a claim that the defendant is not subject to criminal prosecution. If the court denies the motion to dismiss, the defendant shall have the right to file an interlocutory appeal on the ruling made by the court to the district court judge or associate district court judge having jurisdiction over the case. Once a prima facie claim of justified self-defense has been raised by the defendant, the State of Oklahoma shall be required to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defensive force used was not justified and was thereby unlawful.

Senate Bill 730 prohibits any person or entity from establishing a policy barring any person or employee, except a convicted felon, from transporting, carrying or storing firearms or ammunition in a locked motor vehicle on any property set aside for any motor vehicle or a motor vehicle owned, leased or rented by the person or employee to conduct business for the business entity.

Bill passed in opposite chamber but needs concurrence in opposite chamber:

Senate Bill 925 extends the use of Castle Doctrine for self-defense to include the entirety of the “occupied premises,” meaning that Castle Doctrine would extend outside of the abode and to the edges of the property.

Stay-tuned to NRA-ILA Alerts for more information and updates on these pro-gun measures in the Sooner State.