OKC council asked to weigh in on gun law
Oklahoma City Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon is proposing a resolution that, if approved by the council, would demonstrate the city council's support for an initiative petition seeking to give Oklahoma voters a chance to repeal permitless carry.
Signed into law this year by Gov. Kevin Stitt, House Bill 2597 takes effect Nov. 1 and would allow most Oklahomans to carry a gun without a license or training.
The law “makes our communities less safe and makes cities even more powerless to have local control over where and how people can carry firearms,” Hamon tweeted.
Two councilmen immediately said they would oppose her resolution when it comes up Tuesday, and a third said he probably would be opposed.
Ward 2 Councilman James Cooper said he would support it.
State Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, joined by members of Moms Demand Action, earlier this month announced a drive to collect nearly 60,000 valid signatures by next Thursday.
If successful, the signature drive would delay the law's implementation pending a statewide vote in 2020.
Having the council on record in support of efforts to block the law would “send a message to our Legislature and state that the city is supportive of having more control over these issues,” Hamon, who represents Ward 6, said Thursday afternoon.
She said reaction to her tweets had been mostly positive.
Mayor David Holt tweeted on Wednesday that he had signed the petition and supported a statewide election. “Many OKC residents have deep concerns about permitless carry, set to take effect 11 / 1. Regardless of your stance, a vote settles the debate. A petition is being circulated to provide that option & I just added my name,” Holt tweeted.
But Holt was noncommital in a texted comment regarding Hamon's proposal, saying he hadn't had time “to carefully read the resolution yet.”
Ward 4 Councilman Todd
Stone said he would oppose the resolution.
“One thing that I've always appreciated is that the city council is nonpartisan and focuses on city issues,” he said by text. “I believe that we have enough on our plate that needs addressing before we try to interject our views into other governing bodies' processes.
“I fully support an individual's right to their beliefs and working to bring about change,” Stone said, “but I don't think the council needs to be used as a platform to discuss divisive issues we have no control over.”
Ward 3 Councilman Larry McAtee said he opposed the resolution. Ward 1 Councilman James Greiner said he probably would vote against it.
Cooper said he favored the resolution.
“I can support people having the chance to vote,” he said.
Her Twitter post, early Thursday morning, followed Mayor David Holt's announcement Wednesday evening that he had signed the petition advocating a statewide vote on the law.