Permit-Less Gun Control Bill Passes Committee, Heads To Senate

One of the legislatures more controversial bills passed in committee on Wednesday, along party lines. The bill calls for “Limited” Constitutional Carry.  What that means is Oklahomans could open-carry a weapon as long as it’s in plain sight without first getting a permit or taking a class.

During debate, Sen. Kay Floyd, D-District 46, said, “I don’t understand why we’re eliminating background checks.  Criminal background checks.  I mean…don’t we have to balance out the safety factor for all Oklahomans?”

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-District 33, replied, “Thirty states already do this. There’s 30 states that already allow permit-less open carry, so I think this is a step in that right direction. I mean I believe in Constitutional Carry. I believe in the Second Amendment.”

So does Kari Wahnee, but with certain restrictions. Her son, Brad, a college student in Oklahoma City, was gunned down in a drive by shooting in 2009. The killer was never caught.  Wahnee says she believes in a person’s right to defend themselves, but she says this bill goes too far.

“People will continue to get killed,” Wahnee said. “Law enforcement will continue to be overwhelmed. And once that cat is out of the bag you can’t put it back in.”

The bill now goes before the full Senate.