Oklahoma Gun Control Laws

Oklahoma lies towards the more lenient end of gun control laws. No regulations specifically apply to the possession of rifles or shotguns aside from in accordance with hunting laws and overall firearm laws. Handguns however, carry specifications. Licenses to conceal are can be granted to law-abiding citizens 21 years or older. The application for the permit requires the applicant to take an 8-hour firearms safety course, pay a $100 fee, submit photo identification and fingerprints. The application will be either confirmed or denied in no less than 90 days from the date of application. These licenses are valid for 5 years, and must be renewed afterwards for an $85 fee.

Penalties for Illegal Gun Possession

• Discharge of a firearm, while committing a crime of violence will be punished by no less than 10 years in custody of correctional facilities.
  
• It is unlawful for individuals to possess any firearms while under the influence of any mind altering substance.
  
• Creating situations of risk while in possession of firearms with reckless use is punishable in Oklahoma.

Requirements:

Oklahoma Gun Purchasing Laws

Oklahoma restricts the sale of all firearms and ammunition to those 18 years or older, but there is no permit or application required to purchase a firearm once legally an adult. Rifles and shotguns may be sold to minors with parental consent, and only for the use of training in hunting wild game. Citizens of Oklahoma may buy firearms from any other state in the country that follows federal firearm regulations, and citizens of any other states may buy firearms in the state of Oklahoma.

Penalties & Regulations for Illegal Gun Purchases

• Firearms are not to be sold to those who the dealer knows are mentally incompetent to properly use the weapon
  
• No previous felon may be sold a firearm for any reason in the state of Oklahoma
  
• Firearms may not be sold to an individual who the dealer knows is under the influence of a mind altering substance

Requirements:

Firing Handguns and Self Defense

Oklahoma has long had legal self-defense with the use of legally owned firearms. However, until 2005 the law only applied to situations where the defender is attacked in their own home. ‘Stand your ground’ laws are no active in the state of Oklahoma. Citizens who legally carry firearms have the right to stand up to attackers with equal force to defend their home and vehicle. However, there are situations that make self-defense laws complicated:

• When there are no witnesses to confirm the intent of the attacker
• When the bodily harm that may happen to the defender is not substantial
• If a third party is the individual that is in danger

Legal Help

Without many gun laws applied to the regulation of rifles and shotguns, one may suspect fewer firearm law infractions. However, there are still many regulations to follow with handguns, and the rifle and shot gun regulations that do exist are very specific. Gun laws can be very complicated and an attorney should be hired to help avoid harsh punishments. Commonly broken gun regulations are:

• Possession of a firearm by a previous felon
• Concealed possession with an expired license
• Firearms loaded or improperly stored while traveling on a roadway