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The year of the Second Amendment
Governor Brad Henry today vetoed HB 3354, the Oklahoma Open Carry bill. The legislation had been sent to the Governor by the state Senate, who had overwhelmingly passed the law with a vote of 33–15.
Some quotes from the chief leader of Oklahoma:
I’m a strong supporter of the right to bear arms and have earned an A rating from the NRA, but this measure does nothing to strengthen Second Amendment protections
More and more politicians are spouting the “strong supporter of the right to bear arms” line and then fail to deliver. Oklahomans do not have the right to bear arms. Under the Self Defense Act, citizens are forced to pay exorbitant fees to obtain training and purchase the permit. Citizens who are hypothetically protected under the Second Amendment must undergo a background check in Oklahoma before receiving this permit. Unlike a right to bear arms, the people of Oklahoma have a privilege bestowed upon them by the legislature of the State of Oklahoma which may be revoked at any time by law. When Governor Henry vetoed the Open Carry law, he denied Oklahomans any legitimate movement to restoring Second Amendment rights, while refusing to allow the people another “privilege”.
The “A” rating from the NRA he speaks of is becoming irrelevant in today’s gun rights movement.
We already allow trained and licensed Oklahomans to protect themselves by carrying concealed handguns, and it doesn’t make anyone safer to wear a holster and display that weapon to the rest of the public.
We already allow… This is a phrase which speaks volumes about today’s gubernatorial action. Brad Henry and the Oklahoma State Troopers Association have made the determination they will not allow you to exercise the same right our founders granted to us in the Constitution and which is exercised in 43 other states today. The governor with the “A” rating chooses to keep Oklahoma in the anti-carry ranks of states such as New York and Illinois and cities such as Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. Governor Henry also uses the word “display” in a way to have you assume the citizen who wants to open carry is doing so to “display” it, instead of carrying for self-defense and exercising his rights.
On the contrary, it makes it more difficult and dangerous for law enforcement officers to try to sort out the good guys and the bad guys when they arrive at a crime scene.”“The legislation could also damage Oklahoma’s image as a safe, friendly state with a great quality of life, making it less attractive to new business an industry and negatively impacting future prosperity
These two statements are the epitome of anti-gun rhetoric. There are good guys/bad guys in Oklahoma who are now concealing firearms; is there suddenly a danger open carry will now create, one which didn’t exist before? In addition, tourists know Oklahoma has almost 100,000 citizens who may be armed and potentially “dangerous” at any time; is tourism currently being affected by concealed carry? Alaska, Vermont and Arizona currently allow all their non-felon citizens to open carry without a permit, and tourism is not affected in the least by such laws. Emotional statements by the governor cause him to resemble a spokesman for the Brady Campaign and less akin to an “A” rated NRA member.
The battle has hardly ended, however. Representative Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs) issued this statement:
I am disappointed the governor made the wrong decision,” he said. “The bill received overwhelming support in the House and Senate. The mystery that will unfold next week is how many House Democrats who voted for the bill will have the courage of their early vote or how many will walk (leave) the floor to avoid voting with the governor.
Oklahomans who truly believe in the Second Amendment and the right to “bear arms” should make this their time in Oklahoma history and enter the fight.
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Comments
There is no real surprise here as this was clearly a power play to show he is running the state and not the citizens. Citizens need to flood his office with complaints and forward those complaints to their representatives not matter which party they belong to. Make both parties step up to the plate and remember who elected them to office. This needs to be overridden soundly and as far as the Oklahoma state troopers association goes any candidate they back should be voted out of office or never allowed in. Make their endorsement poison to anyone. Don't take it out on the troopers if they do their jobs fairly but if they enter the fray then dump their pensions and benefits. The citizens of Oklahoma are the bosses not these politicians and want to be union heads.
No more trooper booster money from this gun carrier!
I am very disapointed in the Govenors actions on this. I use to be proud of Brad (for the most part) in his decisions concerning our Great State.
But that has changed forever. I see now that He would rather put his political partys agenda, over what the people of Oklahoma want. The word ALLOW as he used it really shows how he feels about the Second Amendment. Brad, When this Oklahoman votes next time.... Guess what.
I am for the open carry law but this may be for the best. I don't know about a Oklahoma cop seeing a gun on me!!!! There not the brightest bunch of folks!
It seems that Brad just realy don't care about Oklahoman's. This is not the first gun bill he has blatenly vetoed. He has done the same for SB-1685. This was the inerstate commerce bill. If a gun is manufactured in Oklahoma and stays in Oklahoma than it is not subject to any Federal or Gov. regulations. This means that there could be a manufacturing plant in Oklahoma that employes those with skills in gunsmithing, cnc machineing, electrical mantenance. Not to mention moore jobs. GO FIGURE.
well mr. henry guess what now all or most hunters , concealed carry gun owners , that because of heat dont carry in summer ,and even retried or disabled that carry because pof the gang related shootings in and around lawton really think you sealed your votes up . i for one and many more will find a real spokesperson going in office next term thanks for NOTHING. guess what i think when they call for donations this year the oklahoma highway patrol shoud not waste time calling me , i proudly donated for years this will now end. sorry will hush now .
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