Oklahoma Gun Law
The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the State of Oklahoma as of 3/28/2013. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. Another great resource is the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations.
TITLE 21 § 1290.2 DEFINITIONS
A. As used in the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act:
1. “Concealed handgun” means a loaded or unloaded pistol carried hidden from the detection and view of another person either upon or about the person, in a purse or other container belonging to the person, or in a vehicle which is operated by the person or in which the person is riding as a passenger;
2. “Unconcealed handgun” means a loaded or unloaded pistol carried upon the person in a belt or shoulder holster that is wholly or partially visible, or carried upon the person in a scabbard or case designed for carrying firearms that is wholly or partially visible; and
3. Pistol means any derringer, revolver or semiautomatic firearm which:
a. has an overall length of less that sixteen (16) inches,
b. is capable of discharging a projectile composed of any material which may reasonably be expected to be able to cause lethal injury,
c. is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand, and
d. uses either gunpowder, gas or any means of rocket propulsion to discharge the projectile.
TITLE 21 § 1290.4 UNLAWFUL CARRY
As provided by Section 1272 of this title, it is unlawful for any person to carry a concealed or unconcealed handgun in this state, except as hereby authorized by the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act or as may otherwise be provided by law.
TITLE 21 § 1290.6 PROHIBITED AMMUNITION
Any concealed or unconcealed handgun when carried in a manner authorized by the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and when loaded with any ammunition which is either a restricted bullet as defined by Section 1289.19 of this title or is larger than .45 caliber or is otherwise prohibited by law shall be deemed a prohibited weapon for purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished for a criminal offense as provided by Section 1272 of title of this title or any other applicable provision of law. In addition to any criminal prosecution for a violation of the provisions of this section, the licensee shall be subject to an administrative fine of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), upon a hearing and determination by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that the person is in violation of the provisions of this section.
TITLE 21 § 1290.7 CONSTRUING AUTHORITY OF LICENSE
The authority to carry a concealed or unconcealed handgun pursuant to a valid handgun license as authorized by the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall not be construed to authorize any person to:
1. Carry or possess any weapon other than an authorized pistol as defined by the provisions of Section 1290.2 of this title;
2. Carry or possess any pistol in any manner or in any place otherwise prohibited by law;
3. Carry or possess any prohibited ammunition or any illegal, imitation or homemade pistol;
4. Carry or possess any pistol when the person is prohibited by state or federal law from carrying or possessing any firearm; or
5. Point, discharge, intentionally display the pistol, or use the pistol in any manner not otherwise authorized by law.
TITLE 21 § 1290.8 POSSESSION OF LICENSE REQUIRED-NOTIFICATION TO POLICE OF GUN
A. Except as otherwise prohibited by law, an eligible person shall have authority to carry a concealed or unconcealed handgun in this state when the person has been issued a handgun license from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act provided the person is in compliance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, and the license has not expired or been subsequently suspended or revoked. A person in possession of a valid handgun license and in compliance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall be authorized to carry such concealed or unconcealed handgun while bow hunting or fishing.
B. The person shall be required to have possession of his or her valid handgun license and a valid Oklahoma driver license or an Oklahoma State photo identification at all times when in possession of an authorized pistol. The person shall display the handgun license on demand of a law enforcement officer; provided, however, that in the absence of reasonable and articulable suspicion of other criminal activity, an individual carrying an unconcealed handgun shall not be disarmed or physically restrained unless the individual fails to display a valid handgun license in response to that demand. Any violation of the provisions of this subsection may be punishable as a criminal offense as authorized by Section 1272 of this title or pursuant to any other applicable provision of law. In addition to any criminal prosecution which may result from not carrying the handgun license and the required identification with the authorized pistol as required by the provisions of this subsection, the person may be subject to an
administrative fine for violation of the provisions of this subsection. The administrative fine shall be Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and shall be assessed by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation after a hearing and determination that the licensee is in violation of the provisions of this subsection. Any second or subsequent violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be grounds for the Bureau to suspend the handgun license for a period of six (6) months, in addition to any other penalty imposed.Upon the arrest of any person for a violation of the provisions of this subsection, the person may show proof to the court that a valid handgun license and the other required identification has been issued to such person and the person may state any reason why the handgun license or the other required identification was not carried by the person as required by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The court shall dismiss an alleged violation of Section 1272 of this title upon payment of court costs, if proof of a
valid handgun license and other required identification is shown to the court within ten (10) days of the arrest of the person. The court shall report a dismissal of a charge to the
Bureau for consideration of administrative proceedings against the licensee.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to identify the fact that the person is in actual possession of a concealed or unconcealed handgun pursuant to the authority of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act when the person first comes into contact with any law enforcement officer of this state or its political subdivisions or a federal law enforcement officer during the course of any arrest, detainment, or routine traffic stop. Said identification to the law enforcement officer shall be made at the first opportunity. No person shall be required to identify himself or herself as a handgun licensee when no handgun is in the possession of the person or in any vehicle in which the person is driving or is a passenger. Any violation of the provisions of this subsection shall, upon conviction, be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
D. Any law enforcement officer coming in contact with a person whose handgun license is suspended, revoked, or expired, or who is in possession of a handgun license which has not been lawfully issued to that person, shall confiscate the license and return it to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for appropriate administrative proceedings against the licensee when the license is no longer needed as evidence in any criminal proceeding.
E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a law enforcement officer to inspect any weapon properly concealed or unconcealed without probable cause that a crime has been committed.
TITLE 21 § 1290.9 ELIGIBILITY
The following requirements shall apply to any person making application to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The person must:
1. Be a citizen of the United States;
2. Establish a residency in the State of Oklahoma. For purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, the term residency shall apply to any person who either possesses a valid Oklahoma driver license or state photo identification card, and physically maintains a residence in this state or has permanent military orders within this state and possesses a valid driver license from another state where such person claims residency;
3. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
4. Complete a firearms safety and training course and demonstrate competence and qualifications with the type of pistol to be carried by the person as provided in Section 1290.14 of this title, and submit proof of training and qualification or an exemption for training and qualification as authorized by Section 1290.14 of this title;
5. Submit the required fee and complete the application process as provided in Section 1290.12 of this title; and
6. Comply in good faith with the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act.
TITLE 21 § 1290.10 MANDATORY PRECLUSIONS
In addition to the requirements stated in Section 1290.9 of this title, the conditions stated in this section shall preclude a person from eligibility for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, Section 1290.1 et seq. of this title. The occurrence of any one of the following conditions shall deny the person the right to have a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. Prohibited conditions are:
1. Ineligible to possess a pistol due to any felony conviction or adjudication as a delinquent as provided by Section 1283 of this title, except as provided in subsection B of Section 1283 of this title;
2. Any felony conviction pursuant to any law of another state, a felony conviction pursuant to any provision of the United States Code, or any conviction pursuant to the laws of any foreign country, provided such foreign conviction would constitute a felony offense in this state if the offense had been committed in this state, except as provided in subsection B of Section 1283 of this title;
3. Adjudication as an incompetent person pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Mental Health Law, Section 1-101 et seq. of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes or an adjudication of incompetency entered in another state pursuant to any provision of law of that state;
4. Any false or misleading statement on the application for a handgun license as provided by paragraph 5 of Section 1290.12 of this title;
5. Conviction of any one of the following misdemeanor offenses in this state or in any other state:
a. any assault and battery, which caused serious physical injury to the victim, or any second or subsequent assault and battery conviction,
b. any aggravated assault and battery,
c. any stalking pursuant to Section 1173 of this title, or a similar law of another state,
d. a violation relating to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, Section 60 et seq. of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or any violation of a victim protection order of another state,
e. any conviction relating to illegal drug use or possession; or
f. an act of domestic abuse as defined by Section 644 of this title or an act of domestic assault and battery or any comparable acts under the laws of another state;
6. An attempted suicide or other condition relating to or indicating mental instability or an unsound mind which occurred within the preceding ten-year period from the date of the application for a license to carry a concealed firearm or that occurs during the period of licensure;
7. Currently undergoing treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder. For purposes of this paragraph, "currently undergoing treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder" means the person has been diagnosed by a licensed physician as being afflicted with a substantial disorder of thought, mood, perception, psychological orientation, or memory that significantly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life;
8. Significant character defects of the applicant as evidenced by a misdemeanor criminal record indicating habitual criminal activity;
9. Ineligible to possess a pistol due to any provision of law of this state or the United States Code, except as provided in subsection B of Section 1283 of this title;
10. Failure to pay an assessed fine or surrender the handgun license as required by a decision by the administrative hearing examiner pursuant to authority of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;
11. Being subject to an outstanding felony warrant issued in this state or another state or the United States; or12. Adjudication as a delinquent as provided by Section 1283 of this title, except as provided in subsection B of
Section 1283 of this title.
TITLE 21 § 1290.11 OTHER PRECLUSIONS
A. The following conditions shall preclude a person from being eligible for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act for a period of time as prescribed in each of the following paragraphs:
1. An arrest for an alleged commission of a felony offense or a felony charge pending in this state, another state or pursuant to the United States Code. The preclusive period shall be until the final determination of the matter.
2. The person is subject to the provisions of a deferred sentence or deferred prosecution in this state or another state or pursuant to federal authority for the commission of a felony offense. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years and shall begin upon the final determination of the matter;
3. Any involuntary commitment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder pursuant to the provisions of Section 5-410 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes or any involuntary commitment in another state pursuant to any provisions of law of that state. The preclusive period shall be permanent as provided by Title 18 of the United States Code Section 922(g)(4);
4. The person has previously undergone treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder which required medication or supervision as defined by paragraph 7 of Section 1290.10 of this title. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the last date of treatment or upon presentation of a certified statement from a licensed physician stating that the person is either no longer disabled by any mental or psychiatric illness, condition, or disorder or that the person has been stabilized on medication for ten (10) years or more;
5. Inpatient treatment for substance abuse. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the last date of treatment or upon presentation of a certified statement from a licensed physician stating that the person has been free from substance use for twelve (12) months or more preceding the filing of an application for a handgun license;
6. Two or more convictions of public intoxication pursuant to Section 8 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or a similar law of another state. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the date of the completion of the last sentence;
7. Two or more misdemeanor convictions relating to intoxication or driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance or alcohol. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the date of the completion of the last sentence or shall require a certified statement from a licensed physician stating that the person is not in need of substance abuse treatment;
8. A court order for a final Victim Protection Order against the applicant, as authorized by the Protectionfrom Domestic Abuse Act, or any court order granting a final victim protection order against the applicant from another state. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the date of the entry of the final court order, or sixty (60) days from the date an order was vacated, canceled or withdrawn;
9. An adjudicated delinquent or convicted felon residing in the residence of the applicant which may be a violation of Section 1283 of this title. The preclusive period shall be thirty (30) days from the date the person no longer resides in the same residence as the applicant; or
10. An arrest for an alleged commission of, a charge pending for, or the person is subject to the provisions of a deferred sentence or a deferred prosecution for any one or more of the following misdemeanor offenses in this state or another state:
a. any assault and battery which caused serious physical injury to the victim or any second or subsequent assault and battery,
b. any aggravated assault and battery,
c. any stalking pursuant to Section 1173 of this title, or a similar law of another state,
d. any violation of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act or any violation of a victim protection order of another state,
e. any violation relating to illegal drug use or possession, or
f. an act of domestic abuse as defined by Section 644 of this title or an act of domestic assault and battery or any comparable acts under the law of another state.The preclusive period for this paragraph shall be three (3) years and shall begin upon the final determination of the matter.
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a full investigation of the applicant by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
TITLE 21 § 1290.12 PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION
A. The procedure for applying for a handgun license and processing the application shall be as follows:
1. An eligible person may request an application packet for a handgun license from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation or the county sheriff’s office either in person or by mail. The Bureau may provide application packets to each sheriff not exceeding two hundred packets per request. The Bureau shall provide the following information in the application packet:
a. an application form,
b. procedures to follow to process the application form, and
c. a copy of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act with any modifications thereto;
2. The person shall be required to successfully complete a firearms safety and training course from a firearms instructor who is approved and registered in this state as provided in Section 1290.14 of this title, and the person shall be required to demonstrate competency and qualification with a pistol authorized for concealed or unconcealed carry by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The original certificate of training shall be submitted with the application for a handgun license. No duplicate, copy, facsimile or other reproduction of the certificate of training or exemption from training shall be acceptable as proof of training as required by the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. A person exempt from the training requirements as provided in Section 1290.15 of this title must show the required proof of such exemption to the firearms instructor to receive an exemption certificate. The original exemption certificate must be submitted with the application for a handgun license when the person claims an exemption from training and qualification;
FEES
3. The application form shall be completed and delivered by the applicant, in person, to the sheriff of the county wherein the applicant resides;
4. The person shall deliver to the sheriff at the time of delivery of the completed application form a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for processing the application through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and processing the required fingerprints through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The processing fee shall be in the form of:
a. money order or a cashier's check made payable to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, or
b. by a nationally recognized credit card issued to the applicant. For purposes of this paragraph, “nationally recognized credit card” means any instrument or device, whether known as a credit card, credit plate, charge plate, or by any other name, issued with or without fee by the issuer for the use of the cardholder in obtaining goods, services, or anything else of value on credit which is accepted by over one thousand merchants in the state. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall determine which nationally recognized credit cards will be accepted by the Bureau. The processing fee shall not be refundable in the event of a denial of a handgun license or any suspension or revocation subsequent to the issuance of a license. Persons making application for a firearms instructor shall not be required to pay the application fee as provided in this section, but shall be required to pay the costs provided in paragraphs 6 and 8 of this subsection;
5. The completed application form shall be signed by the applicant in person before the sheriff. The signature shall be given voluntarily upon a sworn oath that the person knows the contents of the application and that the information contained in the application is true and correct. Any person making any false or misleading statement on an application for a handgun license shall, upon conviction, be guilty of perjury as defined by Section 491 of this title. Any conviction shall be punished as provided in Section 500 of this title. In addition to a criminal conviction, the person shall be denied the right to have a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of Section 1290.10 of this title and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall revoke the handgun license, if issued;
6. Two passport size photographs of the applicant shall be submitted with the completed application. The cost of the photographs shall be the responsibility of the applicant. The sheriff is authorized to take the photograph of the applicant for purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and, if such photographs are taken by the sheriff the cost of the photographs shall not exceed Ten Dollars ($10.00) for the two photos. All money received by the sheriff from photographing applicants pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be retained by the sheriff and deposited into the Sheriff's Service Fee Account;
7. The sheriff shall witness the signature of the applicant and review or take the photographs of the applicant and shall verify that the person making application for a handgun license is the same person in the photographs submitted and the same person who signed the application form. Proof of a valid Oklahoma driver license with a photograph of the applicant or an Oklahoma State photo identification for the applicant shall be required to be presented by the applicant to the sheriff for verification of the person's identity;
8. Upon verification of the identity of the applicant, the sheriff shall take two complete sets of fingerprints of the applicant. Both sets of fingerprints shall be submitted by the sheriff with the completed application, certificate of training or an exemption certificate, photographs and processing fee to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation within fourteen (14) days of taking the fingerprints. The cost of the fingerprints shall be paid by the applicant and shall not exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for the two sets. All fees collected by the sheriff from taking fingerprints pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be retained by the sheriff and deposited into the Sheriff's Service Fee Account;
9. The sheriff shall submit to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation within the fourteen-day period, together with the completed application, including the certificate of training or exemption certificate, photographs, processing fee and legible fingerprints meeting the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) submission standards, and a report of information deemed pertinent to an investigation of the applicant for a handgun license. The sheriff shall make a preliminary investigation of pertinent information about the applicant and the court clerk shall assist the sheriff in locating pertinent information in court records for this purpose. If no pertinent information is found to exist either for or against the applicant, the sheriff shall so indicate in the report;
10. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, upon receipt of the application and required information from the sheriff, shall forward one full set of fingerprints of the applicant to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records search. The cost of processing the fingerprints nationally shall be paid from the processing fee collected by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation;
11. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall make a reasonable effort to investigate the information submitted by the applicant and the sheriff, to ascertain whether or not the issuance of a handgun license would be in violation of the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The investigation by the Bureau of an applicant shall include, but shall not be limited to: a statewide criminal history records search, a national criminal history records search, a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint search, and if applicable, an investigation of medical records or other records or information deemed by the Bureau to be relevant to the application.
a. In the course of the investigation by the Bureau, it shall present the name of the applicant along with any known aliases, the address of the applicant and the social security number of the applicant to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services shall respond within ten (10) days of receiving such information to the Bureau as follows:
(1) with a “Yes” answer, if the records of the Department indicate that the person was involuntarily committed to a mental institution in Oklahoma,
(2) with a “No” answer, if there are no records indicating the name of the person as a person involuntarily committed to a mental institution in Oklahoma, or
(3) with an “Inconclusive” answer if the records of the Department suggest the applicant may be a formerly committed person. In the case of an inconclusive answer, the Bureau shall ask the applicant whether he or she was involuntarily committed. If the applicant states under penalty of perjury that he or she has not been involuntarily committed, the Bureau shall continue processing the application for a license.
b. In the course of the investigation by the Bureau, it shall check the name of any applicant who is twenty-eight (28) years of age or younger along with any known aliases, the address of the applicant and the social security number of the applicant against the records in the Juvenile Online Tracking System (JOLTS) of the Office of Juvenile Affairs. The Office of Juvenile Affairs shall provide the Bureau direct access to check the applicant against the records available on JOLTS.
(1) If the Bureau finds a record on the JOLTS that indicates the person was adjudicated a delinquent for an offense that would constitute a felony offense if committed by an adult within the last ten (10) years the Bureau shall deny the license,
(2) If the Bureau finds no record on the JOLTS indicating the named person was adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would constitute a felony offense if committed by an adult within the last ten (10) years, or
(3) If the records suggest the applicant may have been adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would constitute a felony offense if committed by an adult but such record is inconclusive, the Bureau shall ask the applicant whether he or she was adjudicated a delinquent for an offense that would constitute a felony offense if committed by an adult within the last ten (10) years. If the applicant states under penalty of perjury that he or she was not adjudicated a delinquent within ten (10) years, the Bureau shall continue processing the application for a license;
12. If the background check set forth in paragraph 11 of this subsection reveals no records pertaining to the applicant, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall either issue a handgun license or deny the application within sixty (60) days of the date of receipt of the applicant’s completed application and the required information from the sheriff. In all other cases, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall either issue a handgun license or deny the application within ninety (90) days of the date of the receipt of the applicant’s completed application and the required information from the sheriff. The Bureau shall approve an applicant who appears to be in full compliance with the provisions of the Oklahoma SelfDefense Act, if completion of the federal fingerprint search is the only reason for delay of the issuance of the handgun license to that applicant. Upon receipt of the federal fingerprint search information, if the Bureau receives information which precludes the person from having a
handgun license, the Bureau shall revoke the handgun license previously issued to the applicant. The Bureau shall deny a license when the applicant fails to properly complete the application form or application process or is determined not to be eligible as specified by the provisions of Section 1290.9, 1290.10 or 1290.11 of this title. The Bureau shall approve an application in all other cases. If an application is denied, the Bureau shall notify the applicant in writing of its decision. The notification shall state the grounds for the denial and inform the applicant of the right to an appeal as may be provided by the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act. All notices of denial shall be mailed by first class mail to the address of the applicant listed in the application. Within sixty (60) calendar days from the date of mailing a denial of application to an applicant, the applicant shall notify the Bureau in writing of the intent to appeal the decision of denial or the right of the applicant to
appeal shall be deemed waived. Any administrative hearing on a denial which may be provided shall be conducted by a hearing examiner appointed by the Bureau. The decision of the hearing examiner shall be a final decision appealable to a district court in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. When an application is approved, the Bureau shall issue the licenseand shall mail the license by first-class mail to the address
of the applicant listed in the application.
B. Nothing contained in any provision of the Oklahoma Self- Defense Act shall be construed to require or authorize the registration, documentation or providing of serial numbers with regard to any firearm. or purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, the sheriff may designate a person to receive, fingerprint, photograph or otherwise process applications for handgun licenses.
TITLE 21 § 1290.14 SAFETY AND TRAINING COURSE
Self-Defense Act must successfully complete a firearms safety and training course in this state conducted by a registered and approved firearms instructor as provided by the provisions of this section. The applicant must further demonstrate competence and qualification with an authorized pistol of the type or types that the applicant desires to carry as a concealed or unconcealed handgun pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, except certain persons may be exempt from such training requirement as provided by the provisions of Section 1290.15 of this title.
B. The Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) shall establish criteria for approving firearms instructors for purposes of training and qualifying individuals for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. Prior to submitting an application for CLEET approval as a firearms instructor, applicants shall attend a firearms instructor school, meeting the following minimum requirements:
1. Firearms instructor training conducted by one of the following entities:
a. Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training,
b. National Rifle Association,
c. Oklahoma Rifle Association,
d. federal law enforcement agencies, or
e. other professionally recognized organizations;
2. The course shall be at least sixteen (16) hours in length;
3. Upon completion of the course, the applicant shall be qualified to provide instruction on revolvers, semiautomatic pistols, or both; and
4. Receive a course completion certificate.
All firearms instructors shall be required to meet the eligibility requirements for a handgun license as provided in Sections 1290.9, 1290.10, and 1290.11 of this title, and the application shall be processed as provided for applicants in Section 1290.12 of this title, including the state and national criminal history records search and fingerprint search. A firearms instructor shall be required to pay a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) each time the person makes application for CLEET approval as a firearms instructor pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The fee shall be retained by CLEET and shall be deposited into the Firearms Instructors Revolving Fund. CLEET shall promulgate the rules, forms and procedures necessary to implement the approval of firearms instructors as authorized by the provisions of this subsection. CLEET shall periodically review each approved instructor during a training and qualification course to assure compliance with the rules and course contents. Any violation of the rules may result in the revocation or
suspension of CLEET and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation approval. Unless the approval has been revoked or suspended, a firearms instructor's CLEET approval shall be for a term of five (5) years. Beginning on July 1, 2003, any firearms instructor who has been issued a four-year CLEET approval shall not be eligible for the five-year approval until the expiration of the approval previously issued. CLEET shall be responsible for notifying all approved firearms instructors of statutory and policy changes related to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act.
C. 1. All firearms instructors approved by CLEET to train and qualify individuals for a handgun license shall be required to apply for registration with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation after receiving CLEET approval. All firearms instructors teaching the approved course for a handgun license must display their registration certificate during each training and qualification course. Each approved firearms instructor shall complete a registration form provided by the Bureau and shall pay a registration fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) to the Bureau at the time of each application for registration, except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection. Registration certificates issued by the Bureau shall be valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance. The Bureau shall issue a five-year handgun license to an approved firearms instructor at the time of issuance of a registration certificate and no additional fee shall be required or charged. The Bureau shall maintain a current listing of all
registered firearms instructors in this state. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to eliminate the requirement for registration and training with CLEET as provided in subsection B of this section. Failure to register or be trained as required shall result in a revocation or suspension of the instructor certificateby the Bureau.
2. On or after July 1, 2003, the registered instructors listed in subparagraphs a and b of this paragraph shall not be required to renew the firearms instructor registration certificate with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at the expiration of the registration term, provided the instructor is not subject to any suspension or revocation of the firearm instructor certificate. The firearms instructor registration with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall automatically renew together with the handgun license authorized in paragraph 1 of this subsection for an additional five-year term and no additional cost or fee may be charged for the following individuals:
a. an active duty law enforcement officer of this state or any of its political subdivisions or of the federal government who has a valid CLEET approval as a firearms instructor pursuant to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, and
b. a retired law enforcement officer authorized to carry a firearm pursuant to Section 1289.8 of this title who has a valid CLEET approval as a firearms instructor pursuant to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act.
D. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall approve registration for a firearms instructor applicant who is in full compliance with CLEET rules regarding firearms instructors and the provisions of subsection B of this section, if completion of the federal fingerprint search is the only reason for delay of registration of that firearms instructor applicant. Upon receipt of the federal fingerprint search information, if the Bureau receives 11information which precludes the person from having a handgun license, the Bureau shall revoke both the registration and the concealed handgun license previously issued to the firearms instructor.
E. The required firearms safety and training course and the actual demonstration of competency and qualification required of the applicant shall be designed and conducted in such a manner that the course can be reasonably completed by the applicant within an eight-hour period. CLEET shall establish the course content and promulgate rules, procedures and forms necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection. For the training and qualification course, an applicant may be charged a fee not to exceed Sixty Dollars ($60.00). The instructor to student ratio shall not exceed ten students to any one instructor. CLEET may establish criteria for assistant instructors, maximum class size and any other requirements deemed necessary to conduct a safe and effective training and qualification course. The course content shall include a safety inspection of the firearm to be used by the applicant in the training course; instruction on pistol handling, safety and storage; dynamics of ammunition and firing; methods or
positions for firing a pistol; information about the criminal provisions of the Oklahoma law relating to firearms; the requirements of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act as it relates to the applicant; self-defense and the use of appropriate force; a practice shooting session; and a familiarization course. The firearms instructor shall refuse to train or qualify any person when the pistol to be used or carried by the person is either deemed unsafe or unfit for firing or is a weapon not authorized by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The course shall provide an opportunity for the applicant to qualify himself or herself on either a derringer, a revolver, a semiautomatic pistol or any combination of a derringer, a revolver and a semiautomatic pistol, provided no pistol shall be capable of firing larger than .45 caliber ammunition. Any applicant who successfully trains and qualifies himself or herself with a semiautomatic pistol may be approved by the firearms instructor on the training certificate for a semiautomatic
pistol, a revolver and a derringer upon request of the applicant. Any person who qualifies on a derringer or revolver shall not be eligible for a semiautomatic rating until the person has demonstrated competence and qualifications on a semiautomatic pistol. Upon successful completion of the training and qualification course, a certificate shall be issued to each applicant who successfully completes the course. The certificate of training shall comply with the form established by CLEET and shall be submitted with an application for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Section 1290.12 of this title.
F. There is hereby created a revolving fund for the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET), to be designated the "Firearms Instructors Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all funds received for approval of firearms instructors for purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. All funds received shall be deposited to the fund. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, for implementation of the training and qualification course contents, approval of firearms instructors and any other CLEET requirement pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act or as may otherwise be deemed appropriate by CLEET. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of State Finance for approval and payment.
TITLE 21 § 1290.15 PERSONS EXEMPT FROM TRAINING COURSE
A. The following individuals may be exempt from all or part of the required training and qualification course established pursuant to the provisions of Section 1290.14 of this title:
1. A firearms instructor registered with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;
2. An active duty law enforcement officer of this state or any of its political subdivisions or of the federal government;
3. A retired law enforcement officer authorized by this state pursuant to Section 1289.8 of this title to carry a firearm;
4. A CLEET-certified armed security officer, armed guard, correctional officer, or any other person having a CLEET certification to carry a firearm in the course of their employment;
5. A person on active military duty, National Guard duty or regular military reserve duty who is a legal resident of this state and who is trained and qualified in the use of handguns;
6. A person honorably discharged from active military duty, National Guard duty or military reserves within twenty (20) years preceding the date of the application for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, who is a legal resident of this state, and who has been trained and qualified in the use of handguns;
7. A person retired as a peace officer in good standing from a law enforcement agency located in another state, who is a legal resident of this state, and who has received training equivalent to the training required for CLEET certification in this state; and
8. Any person who is otherwise deemed qualified for a training exemption by CLEET. Provided, however, persons applying for an exemption pursuant to paragraph 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 of this subsection may be required to successfully complete the classroom portion of the training course. The classroom portion of the training courseshall not exceed a fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00).
B. The Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) shall establish criteria for providing proof of an exemption. Before any person shall be considered exempt from all or part of the required training and qualification pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, the person shall present the required proof of exemption to a registered firearms instructor. Each person determined to be exempt from training or qualification as provided in this subsection shall receive an exemption certificate from the registered firearms instructor. The rules promulgated by CLEET to implement the provisions of this section and Section 1290.14 of this title may require that a fee not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00) be charged for processing an exemption certificate. The original exemption certificate must be submitted with an application for a handgun license as provided in paragraph 2 of Section 1290.12 of this title. No person who is determined to be exempt from training or qualification may carry a concealed or unconcealed firearm pursuant to the authority of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act until issued a valid handgun license.
C. Nothing contained in any provision of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall be construed to alter, amend, or modify the authority of any active duty law enforcement officer, or any person certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to carry a pistol during the course of their employment, to carry any pistol in any manner authorized by law or authorized by the employing agency.
TITLE 21 § 1290.17 SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF LICENSE
A. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall have authority pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and any other provision of law to suspend or revoke any handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. A person whose license has been suspended or revoked or against whom a fine has been assessed shall be entitled to an appeal through a hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. Any administrative hearing on suspensions, revocations or fines shall be conducted by a hearing examiner appointed by the Bureau. The hearing examiner’s decision shall be a final decision appealable to a district court in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. After a handgun license has been issued, the discovery of or the occurrence of any condition which directly affects a person's eligibility for a handgun license as provided by the provisions of Section 1290.9 or 1290.10 of this title shall require a revocation of the license by the
Bureau. The discovery of or the occurrence of any condition pursuant to Section 1290.11 of this title, after a license has been issued, shall cause a suspension of the handgun license for a period of time as prescribed for the condition. Any provision of law that requires a revocation of a handgun license upon a conviction shall cause the Bureau to suspend the handgun license upon the discovery of the arrest of the person for such offense until a determination of the criminal case at which time the Bureau shall proceed with the appropriate administrative action. A licensee may voluntarily surrender a license to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at any time. Such surrender of a handgun license will render the license invalid. Nothing in this section may be interpreted to prevent a subsequent new application for a license. The licensee shall be informed and acknowledge in writing as follows:
1. The licensee understands that the voluntary surrender of the license will not be deemed a suspension or revocation by the Bureau;
2. A voluntary surrender of a license will not be reviewable by a hearing examiner or subject to judicial review under the Administrative Procedures Act; and
3. By surrendering the license, the licensee shall forfeit all fees paid to date.
B. Any handgun license which is subsequently suspended or revoked shall be immediately returned to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation upon notification. Any person refusing or failing to return a license after notification of its suspension or revocation shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), by imprisonment in the county jail for not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition, the person shall be subject to an administrative fine of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), upon a hearing and determination by the Bureau that the person is in violation of the provisions of this subsection.
C. Any law enforcement officer of this state shall confiscate a handgun license in the possession of any person and return it to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for appropriate administrative proceedings against the licensee when the license is no longer needed as evidence in any criminal proceeding, as follows:
1. Upon the arrest of the person for any felony offense;
2. Upon the arrest of the person for any misdemeanor offense enumerated as a preclusion to a handgun license;
3. For any violation of the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;
4. When the officer has been called to assist or is investigating any situation which would be a preclusion to having a handgun license; or
5. As provided in subsection D of Section 1290.8 of this title.
D. Any administrative fine assessed in accordance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall be paid in full within thirty (30) days of assessment. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall, without a hearing, suspend the handgun license of any person who fails to pay in full any administrative fine assessed against the person in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. The suspension of any handgunlicense shall be automatic and shall begin thirty (30) days from the date of the assessment of the administrative fine. The suspension shall be removed and the handgun license returned to its prior standing upon payment of the administrative fine being paid in full to the bureau.
E. Whenever a handgun license has been suspended in accordance with the provisions of this act or the administrative rules of the Bureau promulgated for purposes of this act, the license shall remain under suspension and shall not be reinstated until:
1. The person whose license has been suspended applies for reinstatement in accordance with the administrative rules of the Bureau. The Bureau shall not charge any fee in conjunction with an application for a license reinstatement. The person whose license has been suspended must demonstrate that the condition or preclusion which was the basis for the suspension has lapsed and is no longer in effect; and
2. Any and all administrative fines assessed against the person have been paid in full. In the event a handgun license expires during the term of suspension, the person shall be required to apply for renewal of the license in accordance with Section 1290.5 of this title.
TITLE 21 § 1290.26 RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT AUTHORITY
The State of Oklahoma hereby recognizes any valid concealed carry weapons permit or license issued by another state, or if the state is a nonpermitting carry state, this state shall reciprocate under the permitting law of that state.
A. Any person entering this state in possession of a firearm authorized for concealed carry upon the authority and of another state is authorized to continue to carry a concealed firearm and license in this state; provided the license from the other state remains valid. The firearm must be carried fully concealed from detection and view, and upon coming in contact with any peace officer of this state, the person must disclose the fact that he or she is in possession of a concealed firearm pursuant to a valid concealed carry weapons permit or license issued in another state.
B. Any person entering this state in possession of a firearm authorized for concealed carry upon the authority of a state that is a nonpermitted carry state and the person is in compliance with the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, the person is authorized to carry a concealed firearm in this state. The firearm must be carried fully concealed from detection and view, and upon coming in contact with any peace officer of this state, the person must disclose the fact that he or she is in possession of a concealed firearm pursuant to the nonpermitting laws of the state in which he or she is a legal resident. The person shall present proper identification by a valid photo ID as proof that he or she is a legal resident in such a non-permitting state. The Department of Public Safety shall keep a current list of non-permitting states for law enforcement officers to confirm that a state is nonpermitting.
C. Any person who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older having a valid firearm license from another state may apply for a concealed handgun license in this state immediately upon establishing a residence in this state.
OFF LIMITS
TITLE 21 § 1272 UNLAWFUL CARRY
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry upon or about his or her person, or in a purse or other container belonging to the person, any pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle whether loaded or unloaded or any dagger, bowie knife, dirk knife, switchblade knife, spring-type knife, sword cane, knife having a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife, blackjack, loaded cane, billy, hand chain, metal knuckles, or any other offensive weapon, whether such weapon be concealed or unconcealed, except this section shall not prohibit:
1. The proper use of guns and knives for hunting, fishing, educational or recreational purposes;
2. The carrying or use of weapons in a manner otherwise permitted by statute or authorized by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;19
3. The carrying, possession and use of any weapon by a peace officer or other person authorized by law to carry a weapon in the performance of official duties and in compliance with the rules of the employing agency;
4. The carrying or use of weapons in a courthouse by a district judge, associate district judge or special district judge within this state, who is in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and whose name appears on a list maintained by the Administrative Director or the Courts; or
5. The carrying and use of firearms and other weapons provided in this subsection when used for the
purpose of living history reenactment. For purposes of this paragraph, living history reenactment means
depiction of historical characters, scenes, historical life or events for entertainment, education, or
historical documentation through the wearing or use of period, historical, antique or vintage clothing,
accessories, firearms, weapons, and other implements of the historical period.
B. Any person convicted of violating the foregoing provision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as
provided in Section 1276 of this title.
TITLE 21 § 1272.1 CARRYING FIREARMS WHERE LIQUOR IS CONSUMED
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry or possess any weapon designated in Section 1272 of this title in any establishment where low-point beer, as defined by Section 163.2 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or alcoholic beverages, as defined by Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, are consumed. This provision shall not apply to a peace officer, as defined in Section 99 of this title, or to private investigators with a firearms authorization when acting in the scope and course of employment, and shall not apply to an owner or proprietor of the establishment having a pistol, rifle, or shotgun on the premises. Provided however, a person possessing a valid handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Actmay carry the concealed or unconcealed handgun into any restaurant or other establishment licensed to dispense low-point beer or alcoholic beverages where the sale of low-point beer or alcoholic beverages does not constitute the
primary purpose of the business. Provided further, nothing in this section shall be interpreted to authorize any peace officer in actual physical possession of a weapon to consume low-point beer or alcoholic beverages, except in the authorized line of duty as an undercover officer. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to authorize any private investigator with a firearms authorization in actual physical possession of a weapon to consume low-point beer or alcoholic beverages in any establishment where low-point beer or alcoholic beverages are consumed.
TITLE 21 § 1277 UNLAWFUL CARRY IN CERTAIN PLACES
A. It shall be unlawful for any person in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry any concealed or unconcealed handgun into any of the following places:
1. Any structure, building, or office space which is owned or leased by a city, town, county, state, or federal governmental authority for the purpose of conducting business with the public;
2. Any meeting of any city, town, county, state or federal officials, school board members, legislative members, or any other elected or appointed officials;
3. Any prison, jail, detention facility or any facility used to process, hold, or house arrested persons, prisoners or persons alleged delinquent or adjudicated delinquent;
4. Any elementary or secondary school;
5. Any sports arena during a professional sporting event;
6. Any place where pari-mutuel wagering is authorized by law; and
7. Any other place specifically prohibited by law.
B. For purposes of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of subsection A of this section, the prohibited place does not include and specifically excludes the following property:
1. Any property set aside for the use or parking of any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, by a city, town, county, state, or federal governmental authority,
2. Any property set aside for the use or parking of any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, by any entity offering any professional sporting event which is open to the public for admission, or by any entity engaged in pari-mutuel wagering authorized by law,
3. Any property adjacent to a structure, building, or office space in which concealed or unconcealed weapons are prohibited by the provisions of this section, and
4. Any property designated by a city, town, county, or state, governmental authority as a park, recreational area, or fairgrounds; provided nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize any entry by a person in possession of a concealed or unconcealed handgun into any structure, building, or office space which is specifically prohibited by the provisions of subsection A of this section.Nothing contained in any provision of this subsection shall be construed to authorize or allow any person in control of any place described in paragraph 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 of subsection A of this section to establish any policy or rule that has theeffect of prohibiting any person in lawful possession of a handgun license from possession of a handgun allowable under such license in places described in paragraph 1, 2, 3, or 4 of this subsection.
C. Any person violating the provisions of subsection A of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00). Any person convicted of violating the provisions of subsection A of this section may be liable for an administrative fine of TwoHundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) upon a hearing and determination by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that the person is in violation of the provisions of subsection A of this section.
D. No person in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall be authorized to carry the handgun into or upon any college, university, or technology center school property, except as provided in this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, the following property shall not be construed as prohibited for persons having a valid handgun license:
1. Any property set aside for the use or parking of any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, provided the handgun is carried or stored as required by law and the handgun is not removed from the vehicle without the prior consent of the college or university president or technology center school administrator while the vehicle is on any college, university, or technology center school property;
2. Any property authorized for possession or use of handguns by college, university, or technology center school policy; and
3. Any property authorized by the written consent of the college or university president or technology center school administrator, provided the written consent is carried with the handgun and the valid handgun license while on college, university, or technology center school property. The college, university, or technology center schoolmay notify the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation within ten (10) days of a violation of any provision of this subsection by a licensee. Upon receipt of a written notification of violation, the Bureau shall give a reasonable notice to the licensee and hold a hearing. At the hearing upon a determination that the licensee has violated any provision of this subsection, the licensee may be subject to an administrative fine of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) and may have the handgun license suspended for three (3) months. Nothing contained in any provision of this subsection shall be construed to authorize or allow any college, university, or technology center school to
establish any policy or rule that has the effect of prohibiting any person in lawful possession of a handgun license from possession of a handgun allowable under such license in places described in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this subsection. Nothing contained in any provision of this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of any college or university in this state from taking administrative action against any student for any violation of any provision of this subsection.
E. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any peace officer or to any person authorized by law to carry a pistol in the course of employment. District judges, associate district judges and special district judges, who are in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and whose names appear on a list maintained by the Administrative Director of the Courts, shall be exempt from this section when acting in the course and scope of employment within the courthouses of this state. Private investigators with a firearms authorization shall be exempt from this section when acting in the course and scope of employment.
TITLE 21 § 1280.1 POSSESSION OF FIREARM ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession on any public or private school property or while in any school bus or vehicle used by any school for transportation of students or teachers any firearm or weapon designated in Section 1272 of this title, except as provided in subsection C of this section or as otherwise authorized by law.
B. "School property" means any publicly or privately owned property held for purposes of elementary, secondary or vocational technical education, and shall not include property owned by public school districts or private educational entities where such property is leased or rented to an individual or corporation and used for purposes other than educational.
C. Firearms and weapons are allowed on school property and deemed not in violation of subsection A of this section as follows:
1. A gun or knife designed for hunting or fishing purposes ke