Members, several firearms-related bills are currently moving through the Oklahoma Legislature, which convened for its 2017 Legislative Session February 6. Here’s an update on several bills that you may want to follow, says Robert Robles, U.S. Law Shield of Oklahoma Independent Program Attorney.
In the House Judiciary Committee:
— HB 2322 by Representative Jeff Coody (R-District 63) includes firearm and ammunition components in the state preemption of legislation regarding such items. It allows persons adversely affected by any order, ordinance or regulation promulgated or enforced by a municipality or other political subdivision in violation of the preemption provisions to bring a civil action against the person, municipality or political subdivision. Passed 8-2.
— HB 1550 by Representative George Faught (R-District 14) modifies the definition of motor vehicle as used regarding the carrying and storage of firearms to include motorcycles equipped with a locked accessory container within or affixed to the motorcycle. Passed 10-0.
— HB 1428 by Representative Kyle Hilbert (R-District 29) allows those between the ages 18 and 21 who is or has been a member of the armed forces, to apply for a handgun license from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Passed 10-0.
“There are also three Second Amendment Bills to advance and return what should have never been taken away,” said Robles. They are:
— HB 1104 by Representative Bobby Cleveland (R-District 20), which as amended, would allow elected officials of a county, who are in possession of a valid handgun license, when acting in the performance of their duties as an elected official to carry a firearm within the courthouses of the county in which he or she was elected. The county official would not be allowed to carry into a courtroom.
— HB 1721 by Representative Greg Babinec (R-District 33), as amended, allows a person with a valid carry license to carry a weapon on public bus. The measure provides that it is unlawful to discharge a firearm within a bus, unless the action is determined to have been in defensive force resulting from reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another. Currently a felony.
— HB 2323, also by Rep. Coody, would allow any person 21 or older, except a felon or person otherwise disqualified, to transport a pistol, concealed or unconcealed, loaded or unloaded without a valid handgun license, as long as the citizen is not involved in a crime. The measure also requires persons who are in possession of a firearm to notify law enforcement of the weapon when coming into contact with law enforcement. The measure prevents law enforcement officers from disarming or physically restraining any individual possessing a concealed or unconcealed weapon with having a reasonable and articulable suspicion of other criminal activity.
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