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Oklahoma Moms Demand Action, Everytown Criticize Gov. Stitt for Signing Permitless Carry Bill

2.27.2019

Permitless Carry Is an Incredibly Dangerous Policy That Is Opposed by 81 Percent of Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following response after Gov. Stitt signed HB 2597, which will allow people to carry loaded handguns in public without getting a permit, passing a background check or completing gun safety training.

“Usually, I am proud to call Oklahoma home. But today, I’m embarrassed for our state. I’m embarrassed that our elected leaders put politics before the safety of our families by passing permitless carry,” said Christine Jackson, volunteer leader with the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Oklahomans are owed an explanation for why our leaders embraced a dangerous policy that is associated with substantial increases in violence when gun violence continues to put our families at risk every single day.”

States that have enacted permitless carry laws have seen a substantial increase in firearm violence, which is why 81 percent of voters in Oklahoma oppose permitless carry. Over the past few weeks, lawmakers have heard from people around the state who oppose this policy:

This morning, Frank Shurden, who served in the Oklahoma House and Senate for almost 30 years and was named “legislator of the century” by the Oklahoma Rifle Association, said permitless carry “really concerns” him.

Yesterday, over 100 Moms Demand Action volunteers met with lawmakers and urged them to oppose permitless carry.

Earlier this month, Moms Demand Action volunteers delivered a petition against the bill to leaders in the Senate which was signed by nearly 4,500 Oklahomans.

Faith leaders also expressed strong opposition to the bill, arguing that it is “not legislation intended for the common good.”

Lawmakers have also been urged to reject this bill by the Tulsa World and Muskogee Phoenix editorial boards.