Firearm Instructors Speak On Controversial Gun Bill Passing Senate

Chris Moxley practices at Wilshire Gun Range about twice a week, putting a lot of time behind the trigger. He's going above and beyond the current concealed carry requirement, an 8-hour class to get your Self Defense Act (SDA) license.

“That class is just the bare minimum that anyone should do,” he said.

Some lawmakers supported a bill that would allow anyone over 21 without a felony conviction to carry openly, no training required. It just passed the Oklahoma House and Senate. Now it is in committee.

4/20/16 Related Story: Controversial Gun Bill Passes Senate, Goes To Committee

Obviously, instructors like Kevin Maxfield believe gun owners should always be educated. 

Wilshire Gun is not against open carry nor are they for legislated training. They are of the opinion that people who are going to carry a firearm should train so that they are proficient and safe with their firearm.

“They just can’t strap it on their hip right out of the store and say, ‘yep, I’m ready. I’m good to go,’” Maxfield said.

The SDA course goes over when and where a gun can legally be drawn and gun owners fire at least 50 rounds.

“Carrying openly, it attracts a lot of attention, so you need to make sure you have the training in multiple different ways – not only to deploy that gun in an effective way, but to retain that gun,” he said.

The author of the bill cites the second amendment. “We should have the right to defend ourselves no matter where we go,” said Representative Jeff Coody R-District 63.

It has also been noted that many other states already have this law.

Instructors said the training requirement does not infringe on our constitutional rights and without the training requirement, the gun owner could hurt themselves and/or hurt others.

“You might as well not carry it at all if you don’t know how to use it correctly,” said Maxfield.

If there are changes to the bill in committee, the legislative process could start over. If not, it could go to the Governor's desk.