House Passes Concealed Carry Legislation

From www.tulsaworld.com ~ The House today easily passed a weakened bill that would allow military veterans and trained law enforcement personnel to carry concealed weapons onto college campuses.

Before the bill was passed, 65-36, it was stripped of more liberal provisions that would have allowed anyone age 21 or above with a concealed carry permit to be armed on campus.

Lawmakers argued over whether arming some students would make campuses more safe or dangerous.

Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, who noted the National Rifle Association supports the bill, said, "We're not going to tell a veteran that he cannot defend himself."

Rep. Ray McCarter, D-Marlow, urged fellow members to vote for their constituents rather than worry about what grade they were going to get from the NRA.

"Shame on the NRA for putting us in this position," he said.

Another lawmaker won passage of a related bill that also was watered down before being approved.

House Bill 2232 by Rep. Jerry Ellis originally would have allowed anyone 18 and above to carry a concealed weapon if the person had undergone eight hours of training and received a permit. Ellis, D-Valliant, amended the bill to cover only those age 18 and on active military duty or a member of the National Guard or military reserve. His bill was approved, 91-9.

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