A “constitutional carry” gun law in Oklahoma took effect Friday. Also known as permitless carry, the law lets some Oklahomans carry a firearm in public without a license.
Most Oklahomans 21 and older can now carry concealed or unconcealed firearms without having gone through a background check or training requirements, with exceptions for those illegally in the country or who have been convicted of certain crimes.
Firearms are still prohibited in public buildings, bars, casinos and schools, and at professional sporting events.
Oklahoma’s Supreme Court and a county judge this week rejected Oklahoma City Democratic Rep. Jason Lowe’s requests to hold off on the law.
Lowe had introduced a petition in August following the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. The petition would have stopped the law from taking effect and made it a 2020 ballot question, had it been successful.
The Oklahoma Second Amendment Association filed a protest against the petition that rendered its signatures invalid.
Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill into law in February.
