Posted on 03/15/2008 9:34:04 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state House agreed Thursday to allow people with specialized firearms training, such as military personnel, to carry concealed weapons on the state's college campuses, despite opponents who said it made no sense following shootings at schools across the country.
The measure was approved 65-36, and now heads to the state Senate for a vote.
Introduced by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, the law would authorize active-duty military and National Guard and reserve personnel, honorably discharged veterans and others with firearms training certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education who hold a state concealed weapons license to carry guns on college and university campuses.
The legislation is more narrow than Murphey's original proposal, which would have allowed anyone at least 21 years old with concealed handgun carrying rights to carry weapons on campus. That version was similar to a Utah law.
"This has to be the craziest thing I have ever seen," said Rep. Ray McCarter, D-Marlow, one of several lawmakers who said the measure is opposed by college administrators.
Supporters argued that the measure would make college campuses safer by putting guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens.
Rep. Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon, said someone with a concealed weapon might be the only person in a classroom who can protect himself and others from an attacking gunman.
"When seconds matter the police are just minutes away," said Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs.
House members also approved a measure that lowers the age to 18 from 21 of active-duty military, National Guard and reserve personnel as well as veterans who can be licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
Murphey said his bill was a "commonsense step" to expand Oklahoma's concealed weapons law to combat campus violence.
"The concealed carry law is about 12 years old. It's worked out very well," Murphey said. He said more than 60,000 Oklahomans are licensed to carry concealed weapons and there has been no widespread gun violence in the state, which opponents had warned of.
Murphey's bill would require people authorized to carry a concealed handgun to provide written notice to the university or college president prior to bringing a gun on campus. It would not limit a university's ability to restrict concealed weapons from access-controlled areas where people are subject to security checks.
They should disgrace those opponents as accessories to murder.
ahhh... Oklahoma —> state officials with brains...
Do what? It's called concealed for a reason.
Unlike Idaho who instead rewrote the bill at the wishes of the BSU, ISU, and UofI presidents and instead affirmed the colleges ability to ban guns.
“...said the measure is opposed by college administrators.”
Repaired it:
“... said the measure is opposed by vacuous, leftist, Democratic voting college administrators.
“College administrators” like “scientists” and “reporters” should not be given a tacit acknowledgement of objectivity. They are all heavily biased.
The law abiding citizen would have an advantage over the crimininal that was shooting. The criminal does not know which one or ones among the students has a weapon. The good guys (concealed carry licensed) know exactly who the bad guy is and who they need to kill.
The logic of those that oppose concealed carry is Orwellian. These same individuals licensed to carry do not creat havoc and mayhem when they are not on campus, nor would they when they are on campus.
The angry left will always be against guns in the hands of HONEST people even if HONEST people stop murderers in their tracks and save lives.
The left intends to seize guns from HONEST people while deliberately leaving them in the hands of CRIMINALS.
“Murphey’s bill would require people authorized to carry a concealed handgun to provide written notice to the university or college president prior to bringing a gun on campus. It would not limit a university's ability to restrict concealed weapons from access-controlled areas where people are subject to security checks.”
Some schools may be tempted to harass a student over his weapon, or even decide to publish the names of every student legally carrying a weapon. Security checks might primarily focus on known carriers, while, as usual, being ineffective & lax.
If the state has issued a CC permit, that is enough vetting for me, & it better preserves the privacy associated with Concealed Carry.
THAT, Is the most IGNORAT statement I have EVER heard come out of a politician's mouth! MORRON!
All the laws in the world is not going to stop a crazed killer from causing a massacre in a school you imbecile!
We have the same kind of law winding its’ way through the legislature here in Arizona. If our rat governor vetoes it (probable) there are plans to submit it as a ballot initiative where it will pass.
Now I can come home from Baghdad and go to OSU with less paranoia than I would have here in Iraq.
Yes, I understand. My thought is exactly what post #9 stated, I lacked the wordage.
Good news !!
Now Eaker can finish that animal husbandry degree in total safety !!
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