Constitutional carry, so called because proponents believe the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution does not allow for state or local licensing for the use of firearms, has in the past sparked intense legislative debate.

Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami, put the only questions to Roberts on Thursday, though, and those had to do with the fiscal impact on the OSBI. Loring and Rep. Matt Meredith, D-Tahlequah, cast the dissenting votes.

Christine Jackson of the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action said it is “baffling (that) our lawmakers want to pass legislation that will make our state more dangerous.”

“Law-abiding citizens should have the ability to exercise their constitutional right to carry firearms without government interference,” Roberts said in a news release.

Getting the most attention in the committee was HB 1926, which proposes a self-perpetuating grant program to help install exterior cameras on school buses to help catch motorists who pass stopped buses in violation of state law.

Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, said the idea is to send citations to violators with most of the receipts designated for grants to buy additional cameras.

The measure passed 10-1, despite some concern the violation would go against the driving record of the vehicle owner regardless of whether they were the actual violator.

Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365 randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @rkrehbiel

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