UPDATE ON HB2513 “Carry on Campus”
HB2513 by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, co-authored by Rep. Shane Jett, R-Tecumseh, and Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, now moves to the State Senate for consideration following passage by the House on Thursday, March 13. The senate author is Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso.

The bill adopted by the House was amended. Following is the amended version:
“Representative Wesselhoft moved to amend the Murphey floor substitute, Page 4, Section 1, Line 5, by striking the word "person" and inserting in lieu thereof: the words "faculty member or honorably discharged military veteran who has been certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to carry a weapon and who is"; Page 5, Section 1, Line 13, by adding after the period "." and before the word "Nothing" the following language: "Those persons seeking authorization to carry a concealed weapon into or upon any public college or university property shall have taken approximately sixteen (16) hours of training on college or university law enforcement procedures offered by each institution. The college or university shall adopt procedures to certify those authorized to carry concealed handguns including providing photographs, physical descriptions and identification to the college or university law enforcement agency."; and Page 5, Section 1, Line 18, by deleting the words "person" and inserting in lieu thereof: the words "faculty members or honorably discharged military veterans."

Opposition to HB2513 is reminiscent of that heard when the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act was adopted in 1994 (these people remain in opposition to ccw). Prominent in opposition to HB2513 is OU President David Boren and OCU President W. Roger Webb.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee co-chaired by Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, and Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, R-Okla. City.

McIntyre has publicly stated she opposes HB2513 and will not let it be heard.

It remains possible to get the bill out of this committee by use of the “silver bullet,” a legislative device that would permit the bill out should Wilcoxson want it to be heard by the full senate.

Now is the time to contact your state senator and urge them to request that HB2513 be heard by the full senate. Click the link to contact your state senator.  http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/
 

HB2232, by Rep. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant, decreases from 21 to 18 the age for obtaining an Oklahoma Self-Defense Act license.

Comment: Several states have the age set at 18 years and have not experienced any problems. If they can vote at 18 and fight for our country, they're old enough to hold an SDA license.

Contact your state representative and urge him or her to support HB2232.

Click the link to contact your representative.
http://www.okhouse.gov/Members/MemberListing.aspx
 

HB2547, by Rep. Phil Richardson, R-Minco, increases from $250 to $500 the minimum fine for trespassing on private farm, ranch or forestry land. It grants a court the authority to require violators to forfeit their hunting or fishing licenses for a maximum one year. The bill removes language allowing certain individuals to enter land unless forbidden to do so. The bill prohibits hunting or fishing on those lands without express permission. There is no requirement for posting. The bill has an emergency clause.

Comment: Representative Phil Richardson's HB2547, although supposedly purporting to protect "property owner's rights" would levy heavy fines and loss of hunting and fishing license for a first offense. A graduated schedule of punishment would be more in keeping than a "one size fits all" approach.

Contact your state representative and urge him or her to vote against HB2547. It's an extreme bill.

Click the link to contact your representative.
http://www.okhouse.gov/Members/MemberListing.aspx