HB 3098, Passed by Oklahoma House Yesterday, Would Eliminate Permitting Requirement for Openly Carrying Guns, Allowing Violent Criminals to Carry Guns Openly with No Permit and No Training
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement in response to the Oklahoma House passing HB 3098, which would eliminate the permitting requirement for openly carrying guns and allow violent criminals and those who have never handled guns before to carry guns openly throughout the state.
“Allowing dangerous people to carry guns openly with no permit and no training would put Oklahomans at risk,” said Sabine Brown, volunteer Chapter Leader of the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Oklahomans respect the Second Amendment and know that responsible gun ownership is an important part of our heritage. Allowing criminals and those who have never handled a firearm before to carry guns on our streets is a step in the wrong direction.”
Oklahoma is currently among the vast majority of states where a person must acquire a permit in order to openly carry a gun in public. This permitting system is an important safeguard that has been in place for decades. HB 3098 would dismantle the permitting system for open carry and lower the bar for who can openly carry a gun in public to include:
- Violent and habitual criminals
- Repeat drunk drivers and alcohol abusers
- Those who have never gone through a firearm training course or even handled a gun before