Oklahoma Rifle Association Opposes Oklahoma Open Carry Bill 129
Yukon, OK –-(Ammoland.com)- SB 129, sponsored by Senator Steven Russell R-Oklahoma City, would give anyone 18 years of age or older the right to openly carry a gun without a license or training.
The Oklahoma Rifle Association wrote a letter to state representatives opposing the open carry measure because it violates a federal age requirement of 21 to purchase guns.
Dear Representative:
On Saturday March 19th the Officers and Board Members of the Oklahoma Rifle Association held our Board Meeting in Shawnee OK. At this meeting pending firearms legislation at the Oklahoma Legislature was discussed.
It was the intent of the Oklahoma Rifle Association to remain in a position of neutrality on the “Open Carry” legislation as many of our members support some form of open carry. The Officers and Board Members of the ORA are in agreement with the “Open Carry” concept but, after much discussion, the majority of the Board Members and Officers, voted to oppose Senate Bill 129 by Senator Russell and Representative Osborne. This bill, in it’s present form, would allow those 18 years of age and older, to purchase and carry loaded Rifles, Shotguns and Handguns openly in a scabbard, with a sling, or a handgun in a holster, anywhere not in violation of Title 21, subsection A of Section 1277, without a back ground check and without training.
The Officers and Board Members are in opposition to SB 129 for these reasons:
First, The purchase of handguns by persons under the age of 21 is in violation of existing Federal Law. Second, Allowing citizens, trained or untrained, to carry Rifles and Shotguns either in a scabbard or with a sling on city streets and into business establishments will create an atmosphere of hostility and distrust, not to mention create fear in those in our society who have an aversion to any type of firearm. Third, The apprehension, created for the Law Enforcement Officers by the open carrying of long guns could create situations resulting in unnecessary use of deadly force. For these reasons we ask you to vote against SB 129 when it comes to the floor of the House of Representatives. Sincerely,
Don Scott, President, Oklahoma Rifle Association
Paul W. Abel,
Legislative Director, Oklahoma Rifle Association
Oklahoma Proposed Open Carry Bill SB 129
About Oklahoma Rifle Association:
The mission of the ORA is to protect and preserve the shooting sports at the state level. ORA will promote and improve the shooting sports by sponsoring marksmanship training and competitions throughout the state of Oklahoma.
ORA will work for the rights of the gun owner, shooter, collector, hunter, archer, black powder enthusiast. ORA will support the free exchange of ideas, information and education related to gun ownership, shooting, hunting, firearms and related topics. Visit: www.oklarifle.org
I agree with ORA. This is one "Right" we should limit where ever we can.
Hello Dale;
Thanks for your comments, this is not an attack on ORA it is just that we have had our gun rights taken away for so many years that a bill like this would expand gun rights.
The issues with gang bangers you are talking about are already settled law, either they can own a gun and carry it or they are criminals breaking the law. Which is a law enforcement issue.
We can not punish people for crimes they may commit or punish law abiding citizens for crimes others may commit.
I have a question to all those who attack the "gun rights" groups like the Oklahoma Rifle Association for opposing "open carry" by anyone, 18 years of age and over, as Oklahoma SB129 will do without a background check.
Why do you support the open carrying of firearms by criminals and gangbangers?
I'm not surprised that the Oklahoma NRA state affiliate organization, the Oklahoma Rifle Association came out against Open Carry. The board members of the NRA affiliate in California, CRPA, are also opposed to Open Carry. These State NRA organizations are dominated by the "shooting" faction of the NRA (target shooters) who are vehemently opposed to one exercising his right to self-defense by the only constitutional means recognized by the US Supreme Court in Heller and McDonald – Open Carry. Those who have bothered to read the Heller decision know that the US Supreme Court gave as an example of a… Read more »
WTF When I read this I fell of my chair!
Why wouldn't they support any expansion of gun rights.
If it became a problem they could always work backwards amending the law if need to.??
Why would they not support any expansion of gun rights?
This is clearly a case of a very small state level organization that is not up to date on the rapid expansion of constitutional carry.
They probably have a lot of older members and not inline with the more recent concealed and open carry movements.
This is bad for the Open Carry movement as this is exactly the thing anti-gunners will jump on and point to as reasonable gun control.
They would be doing more good if they took no position at all and said nothing.