Permitless carry bill passes House

House Republicans advanced a bill Wednesday that allows Oklahoma citizens to carry a gun without training, a proposed expansion of gun rights that now heads to the state Senate.

Democrats, who voted against House Bill 2597, argued it removed a necessary education and safety component to legally obtaining a firearm.

“Welcome to the Wild, Wild West,” said Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City. “Welcome to the state of Oklahoma where you can buy more guns ... and without any training whatsoever.”

At least 15 other states

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currently allow permitless carry, including Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. The vote in the House on Wednesday was 70-30.

State law currently allows citizens who can legally carry a firearm in their home state without a permit to also do so in Oklahoma.

“We just don't do it for our own citizens,” said Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.

Echols also said the bill still allows colleges, property owners and event planners to restrict firearms.

A similar bill was approved last year by the House and Senate, only to be vetoed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin.

Gov. Kevin Stitt said he supports the bill.

“Conceptually, absolutely I'm going to sign it,” Stitt told reporters earlier this month. “We are going to be a state that protects the 2nd Amendment.”

In a mocking gesture, Democrats pushed for an amendment Wednesday that would allow firearms inside the state Capitol, which was widely rejected.

“For you big 2nd Amendment proponents, come on, this is the People's House, shouldn't guns be allowed in the People's House?” Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City, asked Republicans on the House floor. “You won't do it because you know it would be a bad idea.”