Don't Ask About Guns Measures Advance

From The Tulsa World ~ Measures moving through the Legislature would ban employers from asking job applicants whether they own a gun.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 793 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, on Monday by a vote of 43-1. The measure now heads to the House.

Employers found guilty of violating the proposed law could be fined as much as $1,000 and/or jailed for as long as 90 days. It would apply to all employers, private and public.

The House voted last month to pass House Bill 1025 by Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, which also would ban employers from asking whether a job applicant owns a weapon. The vote was 85-15.

Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, questioned the necessity of what he called a "silly" measure. He was the only senator to vote against the measure. Adelson asked whether it provided an exemption for an employer who determined through a background check that an applicant had a criminal history and needed to know whether the person might be a risk to employees.

Sykes said the measure provided no exceptions. But Sen. Steven Russell, R-Oklahoma City, said felons are prohibited from carrying weapons. Adelson said employers have freedom of speech and should be able to determine whom they will hire. "Isn't it a free country?" he asked. Adelson said the bill appeared to be designed to show that someone is more American than someone else.

Russell, noting that employers can't ask about an applicant's race or religion, said they shouldn't be able to ask about gun ownership, either.

Share |