“Constitutional Carry” or “Permitless Carry” became legal in Oklahoma this past weekend. The law was signed by Governor Kevin Stitt in February of this year. Oklahoma is now the 16th state that has some form of Constitutional Carry provided for its citizens. For those unaware, Constitutional Carry allows people over 21 years of age to carry a loaded firearm on their person without a government issued permit. Those that have convictions for felonies and domestic violence offenses are still prohibited from carrying firearms.

Governor Stitt wrote the following on his Facebook page after the signing of the bill in February:

Today I signed HB 2597 into law. Oklahomans are strong supporters of the Second Amendment, and they made their voice known as I traveled across all 77 counties last year. I would like to thank Representative Jon Echols and Senator Kim David for championing this piece of legislation and for finding balance for both private property owners and our Second Amendment rights.

The whole HB 2597 bill can be read HERE. The balance that Governor Stitt refers to is the provision within the bill that allows businesses and private property owners to have a carrier of a firearm to leave the property. Refusal to leave could lead to a criminal charge. Section six of the bill is the main portion that upgrades the carry ability of most Oklahomans.

6. The carrying of a firearm, concealed or unconcealed, loaded or unloaded, by a person who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older or by a person who is eighteen (18) years of age but not yet twenty-one (21) years of age and the person is a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard or was discharged under honorable conditions from the United States Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard, and the person is otherwise not disqualified from the possession or purchase of a firearm under state or federal law and is not carrying the firearm in furtherance of a crime.

Not surprisingly, people that are federally prohibited from owning a firearm are also prohibited in the Constitutional Carry provision of Oklahoma’s weapon law. Those that are able to carry Constitutionally are still prohibited from carrying in public buildings, bars, schools, casinos and at professional sporting events.

What do you think about Oklahoma’s latest upgrade to their weapons law? Do you know any Oklahomans that plan to carry a firearm now that previously hadn’t?