OK HB2513 passes State House

[mons meg]

But it's been watered down to only make exceptions for active duty military, honorably discharged veterans, and CLEET certified individuals.

The best part? Republicans watered it down. But here's the line from CNN:

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (AP) -- People with specialized firearms training, such as military personnel, would be allowed to carry concealed weapons on Oklahoma's college campuses, under a bill that passed the state's House Thursday.

The measure was approved 65-36, despite opponents who said it made no sense following shootings at schools across the country.

It now heads to the state Senate for a vote.

Introduced by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, the law would authorize active-duty military and National Guard and reserve personnel, honorably discharged veterans and others with firearms training certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education who hold a state concealed weapons license to carry guns on college and university campuses.

The legislation is more narrow than Murphey's original proposal, which would have allowed anyone at least 21 years old with concealed handgun carrying rights to carry weapons on campus. That version was similar to a Utah law.

"This has to be the craziest thing I have ever seen," said Rep. Ray McCarter, D-Marlow, one of several lawmakers who said the measure is opposed by college administrators.
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Supporters argued that the measure would make college campuses safer by putting guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens.

Rep. Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon, said someone with a concealed weapon might be the only person in a classroom who can protect himself and others from an attacking gunman.

"When seconds matter the police are just minutes away," said Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs.

House members also approved a measure that lowers the age to 18 from 21 of active-duty military, National Guard and reserve personnel as well as veterans who can be licensed to carry a concealed weapon.

Murphey said his bill was a "commonsense step" to expand Oklahoma's concealed weapons law to combat campus violence.

"The concealed carry law is about 12 years old. It's worked out very well," Murphey said. He said more than 60,000 Oklahomans are licensed to carry concealed weapons, and there has been no widespread gun violence in the state, which opponents had warned of.

Murphey's bill would require people authorized to carry a concealed handgun to provide written notice to the university or college president before bringing a gun on campus. It would not limit a university's ability to restrict concealed weapons from access-controlled areas where people are subject to security checks.

 

[Ske1etor]

So it basically did nothing for your average everyday victim...

 

[romeo212000]

Exactly. So there really is nothing to deter another NIU or VT situation from happening. I doubt they will be scared away by the idea that there is a very slight chance that a National Guard or Military personel might be on the campus. Way to accomplish nothing Oklahoma government.

 

[Shadowangel]

Ugh. I had high hopes for that one. Oklahoma's a very pro-gun state..i'm surprised our politicians watered it down so much.

 

[romeo212000]

I'm surprised it was the republicans who did so. It is very scary when even our republicans are watering down such an obviuosly beneficial pro gun bill.

 

[lacoochee]

Sucks that it was watered down, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. Next year go for all concealed weapons holders as well. BTW is it possible to obtain the following without actually being a LEO?

others with firearms training certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education who hold a state concealed weapons license

Sounds like a good course to take anyways...

And there is the provision that honourably discharged vets would also qualify, that's a lot of folks.

Actually taken as a whole I think it's almost a good bill especially if anyone with a CCW can take the firearms certification, it's 1000% better than what we have in Florida.

 

[IDriveB5]

There is a poll on this page:

koco.com/index.html

 

[jenrob]

Should college students and faculty be allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus?
Choice Votes Percentage of 801 Votes
Yes 391 49%
No 410 51%

 

[RoadkingLarry]

I'm betting they got their marching orders from David Boren and did what good little sock puppets do,

Tulsa World

University of Oklahoma President David Boren: “If it would help for me to get down on my knees to plead with the Legislature for the safety of our students, I would do so,” he said in a prepared statement.

That is a pathetic statement and makes want to vomit.

 

[chrlefxtrt]

Yes 643 58%
No 471 42%

I'm glad the poll is in "our" favor, but I hate how it is worded.

 

[Jdude]

Seems like a partial victory. All it needs now, perhaps in the next session, is to include "all ccw holders." I think the hard part is already done.

 

[Blarelli]

I just don't get why administrators oppose guns on campus. They seem to encourage EVERYTHING else. Why should something as common as a gun be excluded when everything else being force-fed to us? As a student in Utah, I carry a gun on campus every day. And in each of my classes, i have seen at least one other person carrying (trendy clothes these days don't really help conceal a gun), and nobody's been shot yet. It really pisses me off when such simple logic escapes the PhD's.

 

[chrlefxtrt]

I just don't get why administrators oppose guns on campus. They seem to encourage EVERYTHING else

because guns are bad 'mkay


This is a step in the right direction. Allowing Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans to carry concealed will dramatically decrease the lethality of a gunman. People seem to forget that many folks join the reserves to help pay for school. When I was in school not only was I in the military but it seemed like atleast one other person in every class was in the guard, Reserves, or was a vet, Police Officer etc.

I believe the Republicans watered it down because they knew it had a better chance of passing if they did so. This will set a precedent in our state. Even though it isn't as "liberal" as some would like, it really is better than nothing.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

If this passes the state senate and Governor Henry signs it, I may have to go back to college. Those notification letters to college presidents will be fun to write.

ECS

 

[AR-15 Rep]

Sounds like a step in the right direction, but with everything, there may have to be some measures to consider in allowing a larger number of persons to carry in that environment.