OK State House Passes Expansion of Right to Bear Arms

[Chief Sapulpa]

Communications & Public Affairs
March 8, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Rep. Kevin West
Phone: (405) 557-7343

House Passes Expansion of Right to Bear Arms
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, on Wednesday secured passage of a resolution in the House that would expand Second Amendment protections for Oklahoma citizens if approved by voters.

House Joint Resolution 1034 would send to a statewide vote a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution. The amendment would specify that Oklahoma citizens' rights to possess handguns, rifles, shotguns, knives, nonlethal defensive weapons, and other arms in common use, as well as ammunition and the components of arms and ammunition, shall not be infringed upon. It does not differentiate between items used for self-defense, lawful hunting or recreation.

The resolution, which is authored by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, was presented in the House by Rep. Kevin West.

“The Second Amendment is the pillar upon which all the other amendments rest,” McCall said. “It is built into the bedrock of our nation and state, and House Joint Resolution 1034 further strengthens the already firm commitment that Oklahoma has to protecting and defending our God-given Second Amendment rights.”

West said the purpose of the resolution "is to direct the courts to interpret the Second Amendment based on the original language included in the Bill of Rights attached to the U.S. Constitution. We've had several court rulings that restrict or uphold restrictions of carrying a firearm even for citizens on their own property. This would correct that."

The proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution would allow the Legislature to enforce or adopt narrowly tailored time, place, and manner regulations, or authorize political subdivisions to adopt and enforce such regulations, to serve a compelling state interest. These could include restrictions of carrying firearms in government buildings or other sensitive areas, West said. There are already state and federal laws prohibiting certain convicted felons from possessing firearms.

The amendment would prohibit any law from imposing registration or special taxation upon the keeping of arms including the acquisition, ownership, possession, or transfer of arms, ammunition, or the components of arms or ammunition.

The resolution passed the House on a partisan vote of 81-19. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant.

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Kevin West serves District 54 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of Moore in Cleveland and Oklahoma counties.

 

[Fredkrueger100]

Common use. Another bs made up phrase. Scalia made the crap up too. Shall not be infringed ( as long as the government allows us to exercise our right ).

 

[Mr.Glock]

I like it. But we already have that in the Constitution.

 

[cwheatley]

I'm confused what this bill will actually do. There's lots of nice sounding phrases but how will this impact people day to day?

 

[cowadle]

Does the common use part actually infringe just a bit? What if my favorite hunting rifle doesn't pass the common use test?

 

[Letfreedomring]

The amendment would prohibit any law from imposing registration or special taxation upon the keeping of arms including the acquisition, ownership, possession, or transfer of arms, ammunition, or the components of arms or ammunition.

So is this a F U to the NFA tax stamps like in TX or does it just pertain to OK laws?

 

[Jgibs0321]

So is this a F U to the NFA tax stamps like in TX or does it just pertain to OK laws?

Its a systematic effort to defy Washington DC. In hopes of letting Oklahomans know that they are in a pro gun, pro gun accessory, anti regulation of braces (to the complaint of those who dislike the term common item) and any other silliness imposed by the feds. For every state that passes legislation that is pro gun OR proposes legislation to loosen the regulation of firearms, other states leadership take notes as to how the federal govt responds, whether it agrees or argues against. This allows people to seek fallacies on both sides so they (the pro gun states leadership) may continue to draft and propose pro gun legislation that will corner the anti gunners in government and make them look like fools. But its slow, a very slow and painful process. Why you ask? Because we dont just hang people and throw Tea Parties anymore.

 

[OKNewshawk]

So is this a F U to the NFA tax stamps like in TX or does it just pertain to OK laws?

It pertains to the Oklahoma Constitution.

 

[L.C.]

So did this get done yet or still in limbo?

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

I think it got shelved and is not going anywhere this cycle