Posted on 01/25/2014 5:22:27 PM PST by kjam22
TULSA, Oklahoma - An Oklahoma legislator proposes a bill that would allow gun owners to "carry firearms without getting a license." The way Oklahoma's law works now, anyone who passes a background check can buy a firearm. But to carry a gun, openly or concealed, you must have a handgun license.
To get that license there's a lengthy process, and one state senator said that goes against the constitution.
"I've always been a strong proponent of the 2nd amendment," said Republican state senator Nathan Dahm. Dahm said the nation's right to bear arms is being violated. "I believe that it says exactly what it means, that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed," Dahm said. "I think that a lot of the laws that we have are an infringement upon that."
The senator has now written a bill of his own, that he said would bring Oklahoma's gun laws in line with what America's forefathers intended. "It would just be that you could carry a weapon openly without having a concealed carry permit," Dahm said.
There are a number of steps to take before someone can get a handgun license. You must pass a gun-safety course, file papers with the county you live in, pass a background check and pay a fee to get the actual license.
"They should be able to protect themselves without having to jump through all those hoops," said Dahm. If passed, background checks would still be mandatory before buying a gun. And because of that, RJ's Gun Sales owner, Scott Murry said he supports the legislation. "I don't see anything wrong with it, but I do prefer that they have training. And, of course, if they purchase a gun, they'll have to go through a background check, so that should be good enough," Murry said.
It's the training issue that worries retired Army veteran Patrick Lovelace, who said the bill is a bad idea. The proposed legislation means gun safety courses that are required now would only be optional.
"I believe we need to maintain as much security as we can, particularly dealing with civilians," said Lovelace. "As strict as we can get 'em - we're better off."
With the proposed law, Dahm said it would still be illegal for convicted felons to own or carry a firearm, but he said it doesn't matter what laws are in place, guns will still end up in the hands of criminals. "There's always gonna be bad characters and if somebody really wants to do something evil, they'll find a way to do it," Dahm said.
His legislation would also lower the age to carry a handgun from 21 to 18. The bill has gained national attention, in part because Senate Bill 1473 was filed as "The Piers Morgan Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms Without Infringement Act," or "The Piers Morgan Act," for short.
"A lot of times the names that are given to them are the exact opposite, it's somewhat ironic," said Dahm. "Since this is strengthening 2nd amendment rights, why not name it after somebody that is always trying to further restrict those rights," said Dahm.
Piers Morgan is a CNN television host and a vocal gun-control advocate. Dahm said when Morgan learned of the bill, he sent a tweet to Dahm, inviting the senator to be on his show.
"I think debate is healthy. I think conversation is healthy. I think we need to discuss it, we need to have a discussion," Dahm said. Dahm said he's flying out to discuss the topic live on Morgan's show Monday.
There are still a number of hurdles the bill must pass between the senate and house before it lands on the governor's desk.
Right on!
I like that bill. They should call it “The Second Amendment”.
I like that. You know... this government has money for all kinds of stuff. If I could modify the bill... I would have the government provide free gun safety training for those who want to take it. Completely optional. (There are a few idiots out there that I’d like to see take the training) But yeah.... I like the bill.
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be Infringed. “
Interesting idea.
Our government spent $900 million on trying to identify airport terrorists by their facial tics...
Nor should it be taxed.
Do they need a license to exercise free speech as well?
As that [four letter word] was largely instrumental with pushing for the loss of our gun rights, the name of this piece of legislation fills me with a warm glow. :)
Exactly!
A tax or an Application or a fee or a registry or a license are all infringements Prohibited It’s none of govtS business if you choose to keep or bear arms. We could argue policy nuances all day but the constitution makes our personal ideas of what might be best irrelevant.
Proposed Bill Would Allow Oklahomans To Carry Handguns Without License
I would have written:
Proposed Bill Would Restore, Oklahomans Right to Carry Handguns Without License
If it passes a few of the bed wetter class may pack up and move to more reactionary places but I suspect most Oklahomans won't miss them much.
Oklahoma is OK!!
Oklahoma is the only state that didn’t have a single county vote predominantly for Obastard.
Nathan is dead on.
Kudos.
I hope the Okies agree to this. It’s first effect, if Arizona is a good example, will be to save their state a LOT of money that is currently wasted on licensing people.
Constitutionally protected freedoms. WHAT A CONCEPT!
Goodness, am I retarded, too?
Constitutionally AFFIRMED freedoms. WHAT A CONCEPT!
Oklahoma is AAAAA-OK! Hooray for them!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.