Permitless Carry is Opposed by 81 Percent of Oklahomans
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following response after the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance HB 2597, which would allow people to carry a loaded handgun in public without getting a permit, passing a background check or completing gun safety training. This bill passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives last week.
“This morning, our elected officials sided with the gun lobby over public safety,” said Jennifer Birch, volunteer with the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Oklahomans don’t want permitless carry, because we recognize the risk it poses to the safety of our families. We deserve better leadership than members of the Senate committee displayed today. I implore the full Senate to defeat this dangerous bill.”
Permitless carry legislation is opposed by 81 percent of voters in Oklahoma. Moms Demand Action volunteers have been urging legislators to oppose this bill since the opening day of the legislative session. Last week, volunteers delivered a petition against the bill to House Speaker Charles McCall and House Minority Leader Emily Virgin which was signed by more than 2,400 Oklahomans from across the state. Lawmakers have also been urged to reject this bill by the Tulsa World and Enid News & Eagle editorial boards.
Last year, lawmakers heard opposition on a similar bill from a coalition of 50 state associations, universities, business owners and law enforcement organizations, along with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. States that have enacted permitless carry laws have seen a substantial increase in firearm violence.