Did you know that the majority of states in America allow constitutional carry? This means that anyone who can legally own a firearm can also carry that firearm on their person. Currently, 29 states allow permitless concealed carry, including Oklahoma and its biggest neighbors, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. But that still doesn’t mean just anyone can carry a concealed firearm in Oklahoma. If you plan to carry, you should learn about Oklahoma’s concealed carry laws.
Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, concealed carry and open carry are both legal without a license. Under the law, most people over 21, or 18 if they’re in the military, can carry a loaded or unloaded shotgun, rifle, or handgun without a carry license in many locations and situations.
A concealed firearm is one that is not openly visible under ordinary observation. Because of their size, only handguns can be concealed. For example, you might holster a handgun in a shoulder, pocket, or ankle holster. Rifles and shotguns just won’t fit, so they typically don’t fall under concealed carry.
Oklahoma removed its requirement to have a concealed carry permit in 2019. Today, Oklahoma concealed carry laws—regarding who can carry and where—are the same thing as open carry laws.
Who Can Carry a Concealed Weapon in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, many people who are at least 21 years old, or at least 18 if they currently serve in the military or were honorably discharged, can carry a concealed or unconcealed weapon without a permit or license. However, there are some things that disqualify someone from carrying a weapon:
- You’re carrying the firearm for the purpose of unlawfully injuring another person
- You’re a convicted felon or illegal alien (because you’re not allowed to possess a gun at all in these cases)
- You are currently on probation
- You have a protective order against you
- You’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs
If you’ve been convicted of any of the following crimes, you cannot carry a firearm on your person:
- Assault and battery which caused serious physical injury to the victim
- Aggravated assault and battery
- Assault and battery that qualifies as domestic abuse, even if it is a misdemeanor
- Violating a domestic abuse protection order
- Stalking
- Drug use and possession violations
In addition, any full-time, officially appointed police officer can carry a concealed weapon anywhere in the state of Oklahoma. As long as they are either wearing their uniform or carrying their badge and certification cards, the restrictions we’ll discuss next don’t apply to police officers.
Where Can You Carry a Concealed Weapon in Oklahoma?
OK conceal and carry is broad, but there are still places where you can’t carry a gun, either openly or concealed. Members of the public generally can’t carry in:
- Airports (specific rules apply to transporting a gun on a plane)
- Places where liquor sales are the main purpose, like bars
- Sports venues
- Gambling establishments
- Buildings owned or leased by the government
- Courthouses, prisons, jails, and detention facilities
- Public or private schools, colleges, universities, and technology education centers
- School buses or vehicles used to transport students
The law does not apply to the parking lots belonging to gambling establishments, government authorities, or schools, which means you can carry weapons in these parking lots, although schools have special rules we’ll go over next.
In addition, the owner of a property can designate it as a “no firearm” zone. Property owners and businesses, including liquor stores and places of worship, can prohibit individuals from carrying concealed or unconcealed weapons on their property by posting a sign stating that firearms are prohibited. If a sign is posted, individuals who are carrying can be denied entry or removed from the property.
Oklahoma Concealed Carry Laws for Schools
If you’re a member of the general public, like a parent, and not a police officer or authorized school personnel, you can’t carry a gun into a school or take it on the school bus. But what about having a gun in your vehicle?
If you keep a hunting knife or gun in your truck, you’re allowed to drive onto school property to pick up and drop off your child, as long as it’s properly stored and you stay with the vehicle. If you have a handgun license authorized by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, you’re allowed to carry a handgun in your vehicle in the parking lot.
If any weapon is left in an unattended vehicle, it is no longer legal. Additionally, while these exceptions do exist, there are very strict rules regarding their stowage and purpose. The only guaranteed safe way to ensure you do not violate the law when on school property, is to simply not bring a weapon.
Interacting with Law Enforcement When You Have a Concealed Weapon
Even if you’re following Oklahoma concealed carry laws, you could still get pulled over or questioned by the police for something unrelated. The most important thing to know in this situation is that if the officer asks you if you have a weapon on you, you have to tell them if you do. It’s against the law to hide the fact that you have a weapon if you’re asked.
If you have a weapon, you’re also required to show them identification, which can be:
- Your handgun license
- Your military ID
- Your driver’s license
- Another valid state photo ID card
If you’re not able to show any of these forms of ID, the officer can disarm you and confiscate your weapon. They can also disarm you if they have “reasonable and articulable suspicion of criminal activity,” which essentially means they have reason to believe you’re committing a crime. Otherwise, they’re not allowed to confiscate your weapon.
Concealed Carry Licenses in Oklahoma
As a constitutional carry state, Oklahoma no longer requires you to have a license to carry a weapon, as long as you meet the requirements above. But you can still get a license if you choose. There are two main reasons that Oklahomans choose to get a handgun license:
- Some other states do require licenses for open or concealed carry. When you have a license and travel to a state that recognizes Oklahoma’s license, you can also carry in that state.
- Many people who carry concealed weapons find that having a license is a sign of “good faith” to law enforcement. Showing your license when asked can make interactions with law enforcement easier.
Handgun licenses are issued by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). You can apply online or through your local sheriff’s office. It takes about two or three months to get your license from OSBI, and it will be good for either 5 or 10 years. To be granted a license, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Oklahoma
- Be allowed to carry a concealed weapon (you can’t be a felon or convicted of the crimes we listed above)
- Not have multiple convictions for driving under the influence (DUI) in the last three years
- Not have undergone inpatient substance abuse treatment or treatment for a mental illness that required medication or supervision within the last three years (or you can get a statement from your doctor)
- Never have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution
- Have a valid driver’s license or other state ID card
- Have a training certificate from an authorized, eight-hour firearms safety and training course within the past three years (or have a letter of exemption, for example if you’re a police officer)
- Get fingerprinted and attach two color, passport-style photos to your application (your sheriff’s office typically offers both these services for a fee)
- Pay the OSBI a filing fee of $100 for a 5-year application or $200 for a 10-year application
With these stricter requirements, it’s easy to see why getting your license might put law enforcement and other states at ease, knowing that you can safely carry a gun.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
Oklahoma concealed carry laws are lenient, but there are still plenty of situations where you could be charged with a gun violation. If you’ve been arrested on a gun charge, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows the law. Contact Khalaf Law Firm right away for a free case evaluation, and we’ll get started protecting your rights.