According to the Oklahoma Firearms Act, it is “unlawful for any person to possess, carry upon his person, use or attempt to use against another person any restricted bullet.” It is also illegal to manufacture, import, advertise, or sell illegal bullet types. Only law enforcement agencies can possess and use these types of bullets.
But what is a restricted bullet? And what about other Oklahoma ammunition laws? In a state with strong Second Amendment protections like Oklahoma, many residents are interested in learning more about what’s allowed—and what could send them looking for a criminal defense attorney.
What Are the Illegal Bullet Types in Oklahoma?
Under the law, a restricted bullet is defined as “a round or elongated missile with a core of less than 60% lead and having a fluorocarbon coating, which is designed to travel at a high velocity and is capable of penetrating body armor.” This means only armor-piercing bullets are illegal in Oklahoma. Other types of bullets are legal, including hollow points, which have a hollow cavity at the tip that makes them expand upon impact.
What’s the Punishment for Possessing or Selling Illegal Bullet Types?
Oklahoma doesn’t have many gun laws, but the state takes armor-piercing bullets seriously because they can be extremely deadly to law enforcement. If you’re caught violating these Oklahoma ammunition laws, here’s what could happen:
- Possessing, carrying, or using illegal bullet types is a felony punishable by not less than 2 years and not more than 10 years in prison.
- Manufacturing, importing, advertising, or selling illegal types is also a felony punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $10,000, not more than 10 years in prison, or both.
Other Oklahoma Ammunition Laws
Oklahoma has very few restrictions on ammunition. The state doesn’t require a license to sell, buy, or possess ammunition. Sellers in Oklahoma also don’t have to keep records of who buys ammunition. However, there are some laws to be aware of.
Concealed Carry Ammunition
Oklahoma allows “constitutional carry,” which means you can legally carry a concealed or unconcealed firearm without a permit, as long as you follow Oklahoma’s other regulations and you don’t have a gun in the airport or another restricted location. However, even under these relaxed laws, certain restrictions apply to the type of ammunition you can use.
Under Oklahoma law, it’s illegal to conceal and carry a handgun loaded with restricted bullets or ammunition over .45 caliber. Loading a concealed weapon with these illegal bullet types can lead to criminal charges, a hearing with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and a fine of up to $500.
Providing False Information
Under an Oklahoma law passed in 2011, it’s illegal to knowingly encourage a seller to transfer a gun or ammunition in violation of the law. It’s also illegal to intentionally give “materially false information” intended to deceive them or trick them into selling guns or ammo.
“Materially false information” means anything that makes an illegal transaction appear legal. This law would come into play if someone lied about their age, for example. Anyone who helps someone else commit these acts can also be charged.
Federal Ammunition Laws
Oklahoma is also required to follow federal ammunition laws. Federal law sets two main requirements for buying ammunition. First, there are age limits: you must be at least 18 to buy long gun ammunition (for rifles or shotguns) and 21 to purchase handgun ammunition.
Second, buyers can’t be “prohibited persons”—this includes anyone convicted of a felony or domestic violence, anyone found mentally unfit by a court, or anyone who has been involuntarily committed to an inpatient mental health facility.
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with Violating Oklahoma Ammunition Laws
Many Oklahomans aren’t even aware of the state’s ammunition laws. After all, Oklahoma is a constitutional carry state with strong Second Amendment and self-defense protections. It’s easy to assume that there are no restrictions on bullets. However, not being aware of the illegal bullet types and other laws is not a proper defense if you’ve been charged with a violation.
You need an experienced attorney on your side. Contact the Khalaf Law Firm for a free case evaluation. We have years of experience with Oklahoma’s ammunition laws and can help you get the best possible outcome.