Meetings during the summer and fall may be used to assist OK2A endorsed candidates OR WE MAY JUST SHOOT.  Please read meeting notices carefully to confirm dates, times, locations, and other details during the summer and fall months.

Meetings for the next two weeks:

Tuesday May 22

Shawnee chapter will meet at 6:30 at Billy Boy's Bar-b-que (123 W MacArthur) in Shawnee.

Later Meetings:
Tuesday June 5: Guthrie chapter
Tuesday June 12: Ponca City chapter
Thursday June 14: Ada chapter
Thursday June 14: Stillwater chapter

You can now join both OK2A and Gun Owners of America at the same time.  For $50, you get a basic membership in both organizations.  Just go to our home page and click the join tab.  Join today and put your money to work as we work to advance our pro Second Amendment legislative agenda and to elect pro Second Amendment legislators.

Note: if you already have an OK2A Basic Membership, you can upgrade your membership to a Joint OK2A / GOA Membership for $30.

Unless you live under a rock, you probably know by now that Governor Fallin signed SB1733, the open carry bill, into law on Tuesday.  It's been a long road to get here, but we still haven't reached our destination.  Next year we will begin working to remove the licensing requirement and move our state back where our Founders intended - to constitutional carry.  But, for now, we take a moment to celebrate this victory and thank some people who have been instrumental in this effort.

This year, Senators Treat and Sykes and Representatives Hickman and Martin were the authors of the two bills that made it the distance.  All four of them worked tirelessly to advance the issue.  Representatives Dennis Johnson, Tom Newell, and Lewis Moore as well as Senator Steve Russell all authored some form of open carry bill this session.  Other elements included in the open carry bill signed by the Governor such as private property open carry were originally authored by Representatives Tom Newell, Lewis Moore, George Faught, Jason Murphey, Josh Cockroft, and John Bennett as well as Senators Ralph Shortey, Greg Childers. 

Also, this year Larry Pratt, with Gun Owners of America, was very helpful and Ashley Varner, with the National Rifle Association, was instrumental in helping get this bill to the Governor.  There are many others who have worked tirelessly on this issue over the years and many who made phone, sent emails, and visited the capitol.  It wouldn't have happened without each person engaging on this issue.

That having been said, there is more to do.  OK2A is preparing now for next year's legislative session.  We will continue to work to move Oklahoma toward freedom and liberty. 

Meeting times during the campaign season may be used to assist OK2A endorsed candidates.  Please read meeting notices carefully to confirm times, dates, and locations of meeting during the campaign season.

Meetings for the next two weeks:

Tuesday May 15

OKC Metro chapter will meet at 6:30 pm in the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy on the Northeast corner of 39th Expressway and MacArthur (on the east side of the store).  We will knock doors for Rep. Sally Kern.

Thursday May 17

Tulsa chapter will meet at 6:30 pm at the 2A Shooting Center (4616 E Admiral Pl) in Tulsa.

Tuesday May 22

Shawnee chapter will meet at 6:30 pm at Billy Boy's Bar-b-que (123 W MacArthur) in Shawnee.

Later Meetings:
Tuesday June 5: Guthrie chapter

Saturday at the State Republican Convention, Governor Fallin indicated she will sign SB1733 into law.  Once signed, the law will go into effect on November 1 of this year.  OK2A is planning a series of events to mark the enactment of the law later this year.  More information will be released later.

While OK2A's ultimate goal is constitutional carry, we understand that we didn't lose our rights overnight, nor will we regain them overnight.  The all or nothing attitude of some will only reap more of nothing.  So, while SB1733 isn't everything we want it is a step toward what we do want.  Another bill, already signed by Governor Fallin, that will go into effect on November 1 will help us get to where we ultimately want to be.  SB1785, which grants reciprocity to people from constitutional carry states, blows holes in any arguments against constitutional carry.  If residents of the constitutional carry states don't need a government permission slip to exercise their Second Amendment rights, why should Oklahomans?  If someone from Arizona can be trusted, why not an Oklahoman? 

We are also compiling a list of nightmare stories about the OSBI's inability to properly manage the application process.  If you or someone you know has had problems getting their permit on time or have been rejected for some minor misdemeanor from years gone by, we need to hear about it.  You can report these stories on our forum.  Just click on the forum page on our website.

We will get there.  Just not overnight.  We will keep the pressure on until we do.

Want to know if your local businesses support the Second Amendment? Want others to know? OK2A has added new topics to our forum for you to report on businesses that don't support the Second Amendment or to spread the word about those that do. Visit our forum and let us know about your local businesses.

OK2A is compiling a list of incidents in which peoples Second Amendment rights have been infringed. If your rights have been infringed by a city who refuses to respect state law, we want to know about it. If a police officer has infringed your Second Amendment rights, we want to know about it. (Most police officers are great, but there are a few bad apples in every profession, including law enforcement.) If OSBI has exceeded its statutory deadline for issuing your concealed carry permit, we want to know about it.

We have started some new threads on our forum for you to report these abuses. Please take a moment to post your experiences there.

Please call Senator Sykes office and ask him to accept the House amendments for SB1733 (open carry) and SB1760 (emergency powers).  He can be reached at (405) 521-5569 or lewis@oksenate.gov.  This is critical.  Please call him as soon as possible.

On Tuesday of next week (May 8), OK2A, along with several area gun dealers and manufacturers, will host the first annual Second Amendment Day at the State Capitol.  There will be several vendors there with firearms on display on the 2nd Floor Rotunda between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.  Additionally, there will be a rally beginning at 12:10 am (also on the 2nd Floor Rotunda).  During the rally we will recognize the authors of the pro-2A bills and other pro-2A legislators.  The keynote speaker will be Dan Fisher.  Dan is an expert on the clergy's involvement in our War for Independence.  We will also provide cards for you to take to the Governor's office requesting that she sign the pro-2A bills that are on the way to her desk and we will provide information to our legislators concerning the economic impact of the firearms industry on the state of Oklahoma.

We hope to see you at the Capitol next Tuesday.

NOTE:  Please remember that the Capitol is a prohibited place.  No personal carry firearms will be allowed in the building.  Only vendor display firearms, properly banded, will be allowed in the Capitol.

Today (April 26) has been a banner day for OK2A and all Oklahoma gun owners.  Several major 2A bills passed the House today, among them open carry. 

With only 3 dissenting votes, SB1733 (licensed open carry) passed the House.  SB1733 is much more than just open carry, though.  It contains the elements of HB2522 that OK2A added to it, including private property open carry and relaxing the police notification requirement.  This bill now faces one more vote by the Senate before being sent to the Governor.  One interesting note, four representatives that voted against HB2522 decided to vote for SB1733: Cooksey (R), Nollan (R), Jeanie McDaniels (D), and Williams (D).  The bill passed the House 85-3.

Perhaps the most important bill of the session is SB1760.  This bill will prohibit the government (state or local) from confiscating weapons or prohibiting the otherwise legal possession, use, carry, sale, etc of firearms, ammunition, or accessories and it allows for civil recourse if the government violates the law.  This is critical legislation if we want to make sure that a Katrina-type incident never happens in Oklahoma.  This bill passed the House unanimously.

Another important bill, possibly second only to SB1760, is SB1785.  SB1785 grants reciprocity to visitors from non-permitting states, such as Arizona.  Constitutional carry states have not enjoyed reciprocity because they have no permit.  This bill will recognize the driver's license from constitutional carry states as a permit.  What makes this such an important bill is its implications for future legislation in Oklahoma.  If our legislature recognizes the "constitutional rights" of people from out of state to carry why shouldn't they recognize our "constitutional right" to carry?  SB1785 passed the House 82-4. 

In addition to these bills, SB1743, the suppressed hunting bill, passed 77-5 and SB1541, Sen. Jolley and Rep. Cooksey's elite carry bill, was laid over and is now dead.

All in all, not a bad day.  We appreciate everyone who called or emailed the legislators.  Today's outcome is the result of much labor by many people and we should all be pleased.

HB2522 has been placed on the Senate agenda and will be heard either on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Please begin contacting your Senator to politely urge them to vote for HB2522.  You can contact your senator at 405-524-0126.  If you are unsure who your senator is, use the form on the lower right corner of the Senate website.

Please continue to call the House leadership to urge them to schedule SB1733, SB1785, and especially SB1548.  Contact Speaker Steele at 405-557-7345 or krissteele@okhouse.gov and Rep. DeWitt at 405-557-7332 or daledewitt@okhouse.gov.

As people have asked me what chance open carry has of being signed into law this year, I have responded that I am "cautiously optimistic."  However, my cautious optimism is slowly turning into aggravated pessimism.  Neither HB2522 or SB1733 have been scheduled for floor hearings yet and the deadline is Thursday April 26.  Why have these bills, which have sailed through seemingly without a hitch so far, suddenly stalled out? 

SB1733 is supposedly being stalled because the Senate author, Senator Anthony Sykes, is playing games with a House bill.  We've been told Sen. Sykes is using a House bill to try to redraw some judicial district lines so that he and some of his cronies will be able to run for the bench and win easily.  Senator Sykes won't return our calls and has ignored repeated requests to schedule a meeting, so we have not been able to hear his side of the story, however, if this is true, then shame on him.  But, that's not a valid reason to hold up a good bill.  Using our time and our business to settle a personal vendetta is not acceptable.  Call Speaker Steele and the Floor Leader, Representative DeWitt, and politely tell them to quit holding the Second Amendment hostage to settle a problem with another legislator.  Tell them to schedule SB1733 for a hearing on the floor immediately.  Speaker Steele can be contacted at 405-557-7345 or krissteele@okhouse.gov and Rep. DeWitt can be contacted at 405-557-7332 or daledewitt@okhouse.gov.  If you would like to see if Senator Sykes will share his side of this story with you, he may be contacted at 405-521-5569 or lewis@oksenate.gov.

Some say HB2522 has stalled because it was changed and no longer would require a state-issued license.  I don't believe that to be the case.  Unlicensed open carry passed the Senate with ease last year.  Also, I believe that Governor Fallin would sign the bill if it were sent to her.  The House, however, is another story.  I believe the House leadership would try to kill the bill.  This bill is the strongest of the two and needs to be heard by the Senate and sent back to the House.  The House needs to be forced to show us (not just tell us) where they stand on allowing you and me to exercise our God-given, Constitutionally-protected right without having to pay the state to do it.  They need to be forced into an up or down, yes or no vote on unlicensed open carry.  Senator Shulz has been helpful with 2A bills in the past, we want to encourage him to continue.  Call Senator Shulz and thank him for his past support of 2A legislation and then politely tell him you are not comfortable with waiting to see what the House does with SB1733.  Politely ask him to take the lead on this issue by immediately scheduling HB2522 for a vote on the Senate floor.  Senator Shulz may be contacted at 405-521-5612 or schulz@oksenate.gov.

On Tuesday May 8, OK2A, in cooperation with manufacturers, gun dealers, clubs, and ranges from across the state, presents the First Annual Second Amendment Day at the State Capitol from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Vendors will be on hand displaying examples of weapons they sell or manufacture.  Please plan to stop by and check out the displays and visit your Representative and Senator.  When constituents appear in their office, it truly makes a positive impact on elected officials.  Make your voice heard.  Attend the Second Amendment Day on Tuesday May 8.

All meetings during the legislative session will include legislative updates by a member of OK2A's staff. When possible, there will be a legislator there, as well. For meetings held at restaurants, please plan to arrive early if you wish to order a meal.

Meetings for the next two weeks:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to a conflict with the county GOP's monthly meetings, the Ponca City meeting is being moved to the second Tuesday of the month.  This change takes effect immediately.  See the list below for the new meeting date for the Ponca City chapter.

Tuesday April 24

Shawnee chapter meets at 6:30 pm at Billy Boy's Bar-b-que (123 W MacArthur) in Shawnee.

Tuesday May 1

Guthrie chapter meets at 7:00 pm at Patriot Industries (211 E Oklahoma Ave) in Guthrie.

Later meetings:

May 8 (Tuesday) - Ponca City chapter
May 10 (Thursday) - Ada chapter
May 10 (Thursday) - Stillwater chapter
May 15 (Tuesday) - OKC Metro chapter
May 17 (Thursday) - Tulsa Metro chapter

All meetings during the legislative session will include legislative updates by a member of OK2A's staff.  When possible, there will be a legislator there, as well.  For meetings held at restaurants, please plan to arrive early if you wish to order a meal.

Meetings for the next two weeks:

Tuesday April 17

OKC Metro chapter meets at 6:30 pm at H&H Gun Range (400 S Vermont, Suite 110) in Oklahoma City.

Thursday April 19

Tulsa Metro chapter meets at 6:30 pm at 2A Shooting Center (4616 E Admiral Pl) in Tulsa.

Tuesday April 24

Shawnee chapter meets at 6:30 pm at Billy Boy's Bar-b-que (123 W MacArthur) in Shawnee.

Thursday April 26

Ponca City chapter meets at 7:00 pm at The Mission (909 E South Ave) in Ponca City

Later Meetings:

May 1 - Guthrie chapter
May 10 - Ada chapter
May 10 - Stillwater chapter

TUESDAY MAY 8 - SECOND AMENDMENT DAY
On Tuesday May 8, OK2A in cooperation with manufacturers, gun dealers, gun clubs and ranges from across the state presents the first annual Second Amendment Day at the State Capitol from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Mark you calendars and plan to attend. More details will be released next week.

The Ada and Stillwater meetings will be on Thursday April 12.  See the latest "Upcoming Meetings" post for more details.

SB1541, by Senator Jolley and Rep. Cooksey, passed the House Public Safety Committee last week and is on its way to a hearing on the House floor.  We need you to call your Representative and politely urge them to vote NO on this elitist bill.  SB1541 will give the Attorney General and his assistants (and only them) the ability to carry a firearm anywhere in the state.

Please make note of the corrected day for the Ada and Stillwater meetings and information concerning the first annual Second Amendment Day.

All meetings during the legislative session will include updates by a member of OK2A's staff.  When possible, there will be a legislator there, as well.  For meetings held at restaurants, please plan to arrive early if you wish to order a meal.

Meetings for the next two weeks:

Thursday April 12

Ada chapter meets at 6:30 pm at JD's Cafe (911 N Broadway) in Ada.  The program will include Casey Wehrenberg with Students for Concealed Carry on Campus.

Stillwater chapter meets at 7:00 pm at Mexico Joe's (311 E Hall of Fame Ave) in Stillwater.

Tuesday April 17

OKC Metro chapter meets at 6:30 pm at H&H Gun Range (400 S Vermont, Suite 110) in Oklahoma City.

Thursday April 19

Tulsa Metro chapter meets at 6:30 pm at 2A Shooting Center (4616 E Admiral Pl) in Tulsa.

Later meetings:

April 24 - Shawnee chapter
April 26 - Ponca City chapter
May 1 - Guthrie chapter

TUESDAY MAY 8 - SECOND AMENDMENT DAY
On Tuesday May 8, OK2A in cooperation with manufacturers, gun dealers, gun clubs and ranges from across the state presents the first annual Second Amendment Day at the State Capitol from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Mark you calendars and plan to attend.  More details will be released next week.

SB875, which provides for civil immunity for ranges when an accident occurs through no fault of their own, was signed into law by Governor Fallin on Monday April 2.  The new law will go into effect on November 1 of this year.

I'm sure you are aware by now of the back and forth with the open carry bills currently in the state legislature.  HB2522 was stripped and turned into an unlicensed open carry bill by the Senate Public Safety Committee a little over a week ago.  We reported about a week ago that this made the bill a much stronger open carry bill.  However, after taking a week to look over the new language, more and more questions and concerns have arisen.  Due to lack of time to work on these issues, it is likely that the original licensed open carry language will be placed back into the bill if and when it comes to the floor of the Senate.  While we agree with Senator Russell's desire to advance an unlicensed open carry bill, there simply isn't enough time to vet out the language in his amendment to HB2522.

SB1733 was also stripped by the House Public Safety Committee.  It had the original language from HB2522 placed in it along with another provision to allow for military personnel and defense contractors who are deployed overseas to still be able to receive their carry permit while overseas.

OK2A would prefer unlicensed open carry and we will continue to work toward that.  However, if we are not able to get an unlicensed bill, which appears very unlikely this year, we will take a step in the right direction with licensed open carry.  We will begin working next year to remove the licensing requirement.

We will let you know when these bills are scheduled to be heard on the House and Senate floor.