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Bill Would Allow Oklahomans to Carry Guns Without a Permit

A bill to allow Oklahoman's to carry a gun, even without a permit, has passed the state Senate and goes to the governor.

The bill by Republican Sen. Nathan Dahm passed on a 33?9 vote shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday as senators met late into the night.

Dahm has been pushing for a constitutional carry provision in state law and called Senate Bill 1212’s passage a major victory for the Second Amendment.

"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. We do not require for any of the other rights in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution that the people have to preemptively go through a background check," Dahm said.

The bill would allow people 21 and older and military personnel who are 18 and older to carry a gun without a license.

Anyone prohibited by state or federal law from owning a weapon and those convicted of assault and battery, domestic abuse, violating a protective order or drug crimes would not be allowed to carry a gun.

Votes in both chambers mostly followed party lines, but Rep. Pat Ownbey is one of a few Republicans who doesn't think it’s a good idea.

"I’m for guns. I’m an NRA member, lifetime member. But my concern still is no training for many of those people who choose not to do so," Ownbey said.

Rep. Jeff Coody said the lack of additional requirements is not an issue.

"Responsible citizens will get the training and more than is currently mandated under existing law," Coody said.

Dahm said the bill would have no effect on places where the carrying a weapon is prohibited, such as elementary schools, colleges and government buildings.

Rather than run a separate bill this year, lawmakers amended one allowing guns in wildlife areas to permit constitutional carry.

Law enforcement agencies are already voicing concerns about SB1212. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it will have to cut up to 60 positions because of lost funding if constitutional carry becomes law.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.