State Gun Law Provision Worries Oklahoma Law Enforcement

In an opinion written on Friday of last week, Attorney General Scott Pruitt reaffirmed the state's law on concealed carry gun licenses, saying it is clear when it reads, Oklahomans don’t need an Oklahoma license to carry; any license from any state will do.

The opinion was in response to a question from Texas Co. District Attorney James Boring who asked if Oklahoma residents are prohibited from carrying a firearm if their license is from another state. Pruitt responded writing the law’s plain language is clear that “the state of Oklahoma recognizes… any valid concealed or unconcealed carry weapons permit or license issued by another state.

State law also allows those who can show residency in a state that does not require a permit or license are also allowed to carry within Oklahoma without a permit or license.

“We can't do any kind of background check on those people and that's completely legal at this point,” Jessica Brown from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said. “These people have not been vetted through what we believe is a proper and good system. Also they do not know the laws pertaining to how they can carry that weapon and use that weapon legally.”

Brown added the law takes money away from the state. Application and registration fees by the hundreds are going to other states instead of Oklahoma coffers. According to one report, more than 150 Oklahomans received their Virginia licenses last year.

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