Oklahoma’s newest proposed addition to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act is HB 3354, a bill to allow people with concealed carry permits to open carry firearms. The bill passed the Senate on Wednesday, April 21, and is now awaiting a vote by the House. However, detractors of the bill are not being silent; they are working hard to mislead the public with false statements and by trotting out old, tired lines to put fear in the hearts of Oklahomans.
Senator Richard Lerblance, a Democrat from Hartshorne warns of a return to the past:
I guess we are going back to the Wyatt Earp days.
My, my, my. Senator Lerblance, is there no originality left in the anti-gun sentiment today? The “wild, wild west” phrase is fear-mongering which didn’t hold water when the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act was passed allowing licensed concealed carry and it leaks like a sieve today. But Lerblance doesn’t stop there; he actually tells a falsehood about the proposed legislation:
Under the measure, people would be allowed to openly carry weapons in places like bars where alcohol is served…
This is a complete fabrication. HB 3354 will follow the regulations of the current Self-Defense act, which reads as follows:
TITLE 21 § 1289.9. Carrying weapons under influence of alcoholCARRYING WEAPONS UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOLIt shall be unlawful for any person to carry or use shotguns, rifles or pistols in any circumstances while under the influence of beer, intoxicating liquors or any hallucinogenic, or any unlawful or unprescribed drug, and it shall be unlawful for any person to carry or use shotguns, rifles or pistols when under the influence of any drug prescribed by a licensed physician if the after effects of such consumption affect mental, emotional or physical processes to a degree that would result in abnormal behavior.TITLE 21 § 1272.1. Carrying firearms where liquor is consumedCARRYING FIREARMS WHERE LIQUOR IS CONSUMEDIt shall be unlawful for any person to carry or possess any weapon designated in Section 1272 of this title in any establishment where low-point beer, as defined by Section 163.2 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or alcoholic beverages, as defined by Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, are consumed. This provision shall not apply to a peace officer, as defined in Section 99 of this title, or to private investigators with a firearms authorization when acting in the scope and course of employment, and shall not apply to an owner or proprietor of the establishment having a pistol, rifle, or shotgun on the premises. Provided however, a person possessing a valid concealed handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, Section 1290.1 et seq. of this title may carry the concealed handgun into any restaurant or other establishment licensed to dispense low-point beer or alcoholic beverages where the sale of low-point beer or alcoholic beverages does not constitute the primary purpose of the business.
Firearms will not be allowed in bars in Oklahoma if HB 3354 is passed (with the exception of possession by owners). Senator Lerblance intentionally is lying in an endeavor to derail the House vote on the bill. Such actions should not and will not be ignored by the voters of the Hartshorne area.
In fact, there has been only one recent event in Oklahoma which involved a person licensed to carry, a gun and a bar. In February, Tulsa police officer Thomas Fees (one of the “only ones”) was arrested for being intoxicated with a firearm and for pointing a deadly weapon. Both are felonies, and he is awaiting trial for both charges.
Legally permitted Oklahomans have proved their integrity as valuable citizens. It is time to quit misleading the voters of this state with lies and innuendoes and let them exercise their true Second Amendment rights. The House should pass HB 3354 and the governor should sign it into law.
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Comments
"But Lerblance doesn’t stop there; he actually tells a falsehood about the proposed legislation:
Under the measure, people would be allowed to openly carry weapons in places like bars where alcohol is served…
This is a complete fabrication."
NO, Steve, it is an OUT AND OUT LIE! NOT a "falsehood or fabrication".
Just call Richard Leblance a freakin' LIAR! THAT is what he is. Unless you are willing to say that, you might as well not write anymore, partner...
Now call him on the phone and tell him he is a LIAR.
Thank you.
Sorry, my first line got deleted: "I appreciate your headline, but don't softpedal this now."
Oklahoma needs to come out of the dark ages, but they are so consumed with corruption and charging fees , most other state allow open carry to all citizens, (non felons) without permits.
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