MR2-Sooner86
2/19/2010, 12:32 AM
By the Brady Campaign ;)
State's gun laws among least restrictive, report says (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100218_11_0_Oklaho683900&rss_lnk=11)
Oklahoma has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the nation, according to a recent report by the Brady Campaign, which contends that lax laws feed the illegal gun trade and lead to unnecessary violence.
Oklahoma was given two points out of a possible 100 in the report. The only marks were for not forcing colleges to allow guns on campus, although legislation in recent years has tried to change that.
The state is tied with Alaska for second to last, according to the Brady report. Utah ranks worst, with zero points, and California is at the top, with 79.
States are ranked in several categories, receiving points for having laws on the books that limit bulk sales, ban assault weapons and strengthen background checks and dealer regulations.
“We consider it (the score) a badge of honor coming from the Brady Campaign,” said Charles Smith, executive director of the Oklahoma Rifle Association. “Oklahoma is a very gun-friendly state, and that’s the way people want it.”
The association advocates for gun owners as the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association and believes the state has enough regulation, he said.
“It comes down to the basic principle of the Second Amendment,” Smith said.
The Brady Campaign is a national organization that works to reform the gun industry and eliminate gun violence, according to its mission statement. Oklahoma does not have any local chapters.
Most states rate poorly in the report, with a majority receiving fewer than 20 points. Most of the highly ranked states are clustered on the East Coast.
In recent legislative sessions, Oklahoma lawmakers have tried to create a sales-tax holiday for gun purchases, allow conceal-carry weapons on college campuses and make guns created and sold in the state free from federal regulations.
According to a 2008 Oklahoma Poll, 34 percent of Oklahomans believed that the nation needs stricter gun laws, and 61 percent did not.
Some in the state, however, question easy access to handguns and the ability to own assault rifles.
The Rev. Paul Ashby, senior minister at Fellowship Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, said that while he fully supports firearms used for hunting, he doesn’t think easy access to handguns makes neighborhoods safer.
The first funeral he conducted was that of a man who was shot to death in his home, he said, adding that he has seen many families grieve because of gun violence.
Laws that create waiting periods, ensure child safety and help law enforcement track weapons might help bring down violence in the state, Ashby said.
“I don’t expect to win on these issues, but as a matter of conscience, you can raise questions,” he said.
Dave Randle, manager of Tulsa Firearms, a gun shop and shooting range near 61st Street and Garnett Road, said the Brady report is misleading.
“I think they (the state's gun laws) are fine,” he said. “They follow federal regulations.”
To legally buy a gun at his store, an Oklahoman must fill out a form and pass an FBI background check. For concealed carry, a person must pass a more thorough background check and take a class to receive the necessary permit, Randle said.
Most of his customers buy guns for self-defense, he said.
:pop:
State's gun laws among least restrictive, report says (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100218_11_0_Oklaho683900&rss_lnk=11)
Oklahoma has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the nation, according to a recent report by the Brady Campaign, which contends that lax laws feed the illegal gun trade and lead to unnecessary violence.
Oklahoma was given two points out of a possible 100 in the report. The only marks were for not forcing colleges to allow guns on campus, although legislation in recent years has tried to change that.
The state is tied with Alaska for second to last, according to the Brady report. Utah ranks worst, with zero points, and California is at the top, with 79.
States are ranked in several categories, receiving points for having laws on the books that limit bulk sales, ban assault weapons and strengthen background checks and dealer regulations.
“We consider it (the score) a badge of honor coming from the Brady Campaign,” said Charles Smith, executive director of the Oklahoma Rifle Association. “Oklahoma is a very gun-friendly state, and that’s the way people want it.”
The association advocates for gun owners as the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association and believes the state has enough regulation, he said.
“It comes down to the basic principle of the Second Amendment,” Smith said.
The Brady Campaign is a national organization that works to reform the gun industry and eliminate gun violence, according to its mission statement. Oklahoma does not have any local chapters.
Most states rate poorly in the report, with a majority receiving fewer than 20 points. Most of the highly ranked states are clustered on the East Coast.
In recent legislative sessions, Oklahoma lawmakers have tried to create a sales-tax holiday for gun purchases, allow conceal-carry weapons on college campuses and make guns created and sold in the state free from federal regulations.
According to a 2008 Oklahoma Poll, 34 percent of Oklahomans believed that the nation needs stricter gun laws, and 61 percent did not.
Some in the state, however, question easy access to handguns and the ability to own assault rifles.
The Rev. Paul Ashby, senior minister at Fellowship Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, said that while he fully supports firearms used for hunting, he doesn’t think easy access to handguns makes neighborhoods safer.
The first funeral he conducted was that of a man who was shot to death in his home, he said, adding that he has seen many families grieve because of gun violence.
Laws that create waiting periods, ensure child safety and help law enforcement track weapons might help bring down violence in the state, Ashby said.
“I don’t expect to win on these issues, but as a matter of conscience, you can raise questions,” he said.
Dave Randle, manager of Tulsa Firearms, a gun shop and shooting range near 61st Street and Garnett Road, said the Brady report is misleading.
“I think they (the state's gun laws) are fine,” he said. “They follow federal regulations.”
To legally buy a gun at his store, an Oklahoman must fill out a form and pass an FBI background check. For concealed carry, a person must pass a more thorough background check and take a class to receive the necessary permit, Randle said.
Most of his customers buy guns for self-defense, he said.
:pop: