“The right of a citizen to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person, or property, or in aid of the civil power, when thereunto legally summoned, shall never be prohibited; but nothing herein contained shall prevent the Legislature from regulating the carrying of weapons.”
AT A GLANCE
Oklahoma is a shall-issue constitutional carry state. No permit, waiting period, or registration is needed to purchase from a private individual. Open carry is legal with a permit at 18. Constitutional carry allows anyone at 21. There are restrictions on the caliber a permit holder can carry. OK recognizes permits issued by all other states. OK is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” statute. There is no duty to retreat. A person who uses justified defensive force is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action.
Reciprocal Carry
By statute, Oklahoma will recognize another state’s license to carry:
“The State of Oklahoma hereby recognizes any valid concealed carry weapons permit or license issued by another state.”
Additionally, Oklahoma will allow those from Permit-less carry states (Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota,Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming):
“Starting November 1, 2012, the state of Oklahoma will allow You to carry a concealed handgun without a license only if You are allowed to do so in Your own state.”
Duty To Notify Police Officer
Oklahoma does not require individuals to inform a LEO of a permit or license to carry unless they are actually in possession of a firearm, in which case they must inform any LEO they come in contact with of that fact. You must possess your permit/license and Oklahoma State photo identification any time you carry a pistol.
Carrying Firearms In Vehicles
Oklahoma permits anyone who may legally possess a firearm to carry it unloaded without a permit. Long guns may be carried openly or concealed behind a seat or within the interior of the vehicle, and handguns may be carried openly or within a firearms case, gun rack, or in the trunk.
NFA Items
Oklahoma permits ownership of all NFA items, provided they are legally obtained pursuant to federal law. It is legal to use suppressors for hunting. CLEOs are required to sign an application for the transfer of any item regulated under the NFA within 15 days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving it.
Self-Defense Laws
Oklahoma has both Castle Doctrine and SYG laws. There is no duty to retreat from any place You have a legal right to be. You may use force, including deadly force, in defense of yourself or others if You reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death, SBI, the commission of a forcible felony, or to stop the unlawful & forcible entry into a dwelling, place of business, or occupied motor vehicle.
Carry In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
You may carry in restaurants that serve alcohol, if you possess a valid concealed handgun license. Places like Fridays or Chili’s unless they have a “No Gun Sign,” then it is suggested that You not carry into the establishment. This does not include a bar or the bar area of a restaurant – You are prohibited from carrying into these areas. You can carry Your firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, but You are prohibited from carrying while You consume alcohol or are under the influence of alcohol.
Do “No Gun Signs” Have The Force Of Law?
“No Firearm” signs in Oklahoma do not have the force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State law as being off limits to those with a permit/license to carry. However, as a possessor with a real property interest, a retailer, has the right to limit, and qualify the right to enter the property, subject to not carrying a handgun. It would be improper to enter, and the licensee would be subject to ejection for possession of a handgun thereat. Failure to leave once requested would subject the licensee to criminal charges.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Oklahoma only for those who have a valid permit/license to carry a firearm or those from the permitless carry states of AK, AZ, ID, KS, ME, MS, MO, NH, VT, WV, and WY. The minimum age to open carry is 21.
Note: In Feb. 2019, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law open carry for all. Starting November 1, 2019, this law will allow anyone over 21 years of age to openly carry if they are not a convicted felon or mental patient. Individuals 18 years of age who are currently serving in the military will also be allowed to carry.
DISCLAIMER: The Gun Laws by State Guide (GLBSG) was created to provide its readers with a general educational resource tool to explore the pertinent gun laws in Your jurisdiction.
However, the GLBSG was not researched and/or written by attorneys as a specific legal guide to rely upon. Instead, it is a starting point for your own research. In addition, all laws are always subject to reasonable, but different, legal interpretation as to meaning and application.
As such, the GLBSG is not intended to supplant, nor limit, Your need for independent verification of any and all material contained herein and consultation with competent counsel of choice regarding any specific issues.
This type of specific legal analysis is necessarily beyond the general educational objective of the GLBSG and for which a bar-admitted attorney in the particular state(s) is needed and required. The content of this GLBSG is a general restatement of the law.
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