To the ballot Oklahomans have filed four statewide initiative petitions and one referendum in 2019. The referendum, filed in August, was to let voters decide whether or not they wanted “permitless carry,” the first bill signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt to go into effect. The referendum did not gain enough signatures. Ultimately, the law, which […]
firearms
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Gun sense
It has been about three weeks since permitless carry went into effect. The law, which some call “constitutional carry,” was the first law signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Cacky Poarch, a Moms Demand Action volunteer, was an active advocate against the law. She said enough incidents have already happened to prove the law is dangerous. […]
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Shots fired
In the past decade, the increasing frequency of high-profile shootings at schools and churches have made the right to own and carry a gun the subject of intense debate not only at the federal level but in state legislatures as well. As each state has the right to limit or expand access to guns as […]
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Capitol CAIR
The Oklahoma chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has seen its annual Muslim Day at the Capitol event grow exponentially since 2015. What started as a somewhat basic introduction to the Capitol has grown into a full-blown day of action and advocacy. Lani Habrock, CAIR government affairs director, said the group began the event […]
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Chicken-Fried News: Wild showdown
A showdown of sorts took place recently within the parameters of Oklahoma City Zoo. Lions, tigers and bears were not involved. Instead, a Second Amendment advocate challenged the zoo’s no-gun policy by bringing his gun in and openly carrying. Zoo officials said they believe that their policy does not violate any laws, but Don Spencer, […]
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Chicken-Fried News: In dependence
No matter where on the national gun debate spectrum you fall, you have probably noticed a fair amount of resistance to proposed control measures, especially within Oklahoma. Aside from constitutional concerns involving the Second Amendment, a general state reliance on the gun industry certainly plays a role in that defense. According to a newly released […]
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Chicken-Fried News: Wild bills
Sen. Josh Brecheen is focused on changing Oklahoma’s gun laws by introducing new bills.
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Suicide rates in Oklahoma are on the rise
Oklahoma veterans, Native Americans and residents age 10-34 are among those with the highest risk.
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Let’s talk about gun laws
A few weeks ago, after the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, I announced that I am convening an interim legislative study this November on Oklahoma’s so-called “Stand Your Ground” and open-carry laws. As the representative for Oklahoma House District 97 in eastern Oklahoma County, these laws are, indeed, an issue that has weighed heavy […]
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Liberal angst
The statement that “by opposing background checks for gun buyers, Coburn and Inhofe voted in favor of allowing the mentally ill and criminals to buy guns” is pernicious. First, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System is still in effect for gun buyers just as it has been since 1994; second, opposition to the legislation […]