Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to carry a weapon without a permit, the Tulsa World reports. Fallin stressed that she supports the Second Amendment and owns firearms herself. However, she cited safety concerns for using her veto pen on the so-called “constitutional carry” bill. “Oklahomans believe that law-abiding individuals should be able to defend themselves,” Fallin said. “I believe the firearms requirements we currently have in state law are few and reasonable.” The bill would have eliminated the training requirements for persons carrying a firearm in Oklahoma. It also would have reduced the level of the background check necessary to carry a gun.
The bill would eliminate “the current ability of Oklahoma law enforcement to distinguish between those carrying guns who have been trained and vetted, and those who have not,” Fallin said. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 33-9, and was approved by the House, 59-28. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation had expressed concerns that the bill would impact “the safety and security” of Oklahomans. The Tulsa Regional Chamber urged a veto because the bill “impairs the right of businesses and property owners to implement safeguards to prohibit untrained individuals with no background checks from carrying guns into their establishment.” The Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, strongly supported the measure. The group has proposed permit-less carry since 2010, said president Don Spencer, who said he was “disappointed that Oklahoma rights were not respected.”