Open and Concealed Gun Carry Laws in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Constitution guarantees citizens the right to bear arms to defend themselves or their property. The state has some of the most permissive gun laws in the nation. It's considered a constitutional carry or permitless carry state. While it has some of the fewest restrictions on possessing and carrying firearms, rules still exist and violations can mean fines or jail time.

This article summarizes Oklahoma's basic laws on carrying guns in public—it's not an exhaustive summary. You can find more information in our article on Weapons Charges in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Gun Laws: Concealed and Open Carry

Oklahoma has long been an "open-carry" state, allowing most adults to carry guns openly, without a permit, as long as they have a legitimate purpose and aren't violating other laws. The state became even more gun friendly in 2019 by eliminating the license requirement for carrying concealed handguns. (The state still issues handgun licenses, which could allow Oklahomans to carry concealed handguns in states that require the permits and recognize out-of-state licenses.)

Without a license, most adults 21 and older (and some military persons age 18 to 20) may openly or conceal carry firearms, as long as they can legally possess a firearm and are not carrying for purposes of committing a crime. It's a felony (punishable by up to two years in prison, plus a fine of up to $5,000) to carry a gun or any other deadly weapon with the intention of hurting someone else illegally. On top of this restriction, Oklahoma prohibits carrying of firearms by certain people and in certain places (discussed below).

(Okla. Const., art. II, § 26 (2025); Okla. Stat. tit. 21, §§ 1272, 1278, 1289.6, 1290.4, 1290.7, 1290.9 (2025).)

Prohibited Persons Under Oklahoma's Gun Laws

Prohibited persons—those who can't legally purchase or possess a firearm (and thus can't carry)—in Oklahoma include:

• anyone with a felony conviction
• anyone with a felony adjudication of delinquency (unless 10 years have passed)
• illegal aliens
• minors younger than 18 (except for safety training, sporting events, or hunting), and
• persons who are mentally unfit or have been found mentally incompetent by a court.

Penalties for unlawful possession are the harshest for those with prior convictions or adjudications. These violations are felonies with a possible prison sentence of one to 10 years. Other violations carry fines ranging from $50 to $500 and jail sentences of no longer than 180 days.

Federal law also places firearm bans on certain persons, including felons, fugitives, addicts, and those under a domestic violence restraining order or convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor.

(Okla. Stat. tit. 21, §§ 1273, 1276, 1283, 1284, 1289.10, 1289.15 (2025); 18 U.S.C. § 922 (2025).)

Unlawful Carry Laws in Oklahoma

Oklahoma also has unlawful carry laws that place restrictions on who can carry and where.

Who Can't Carry Firearms

Along with the prohibited persons listed above, you aren't allowed to carry a firearm in Oklahoma if you've been convicted of:

• assault and battery that is aggravated or that seriously injures the victim
• domestic abuse
• stalking
• violation of a domestic abuse protection order, or
• illegal drug possession or use.

It's also illegal for undocumented immigrants to carry handguns and dangerous firearms. You can't carry or use guns while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescribed drugs if they affect you enough to cause abnormal behavior.

Penalties for these violations can be a fine only (ranging from $50 to $500) or possible jail time with a maximum of three or six months.

(Okla. Stat. tit. 21, §§ 1272, 1276, 1283, 1289.9, 1289.15 (2025).)

Restricted Places for Carrying

Oklahoma restricts carrying guns in certain locations, including schools and bars. Depending on the location, a violation carries penalties ranging from simply being denied entrance to a $250 fine.

Schools. Even if you're otherwise allowed to have and carry a gun, you may be charged with a misdemeanor in Oklahoma for bringing any firearm or other offensive weapon onto the property of K-12 schools, vocational-technical schools, or school buses. There are exceptions, including guns carried by authorized personnel and weapons properly stored in vehicles when dropping off or picking up students. (Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1280.1 (2025).)

Bars. It's a misdemeanor in Oklahoma to bring a firearm into a bar or other establishment where liquor sales are the main purpose of the business, unless you're the owner, an employee (with the owner's permission), or an on-duty law enforcement officer or private investigator. People can bring firearms into restaurants and other establishments where liquor sales aren't the main purpose of the business. (Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1272.1 (2025).)

Other public places. The state prohibits carrying handguns in certain other places, including:

• courthouses, jails, and prisons
• government buildings or offices used for public business
• colleges, universities, or technology center schools
• publicly owned sports venues during pro games
• events with security measurements in place, and
• legal gambling establishments.

(Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1277 (2025).)

Designated properties. Oklahoma law allows businesses, owners, tenants, employers, liquor stores, and places of worship to prohibit the carrying of concealed or unconcealed firearms on their property. (Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1290.22 (2025).)

Exceptions. None of these restrictions apply in parking lots or wherever guns are specifically permitted. As usual, there are also exceptions for law enforcement and other authorized personnel.

Can You Transport Guns in Vehicles in Oklahoma?

In vehicles, legal gun owners age 21 and older may carry firearms—either unloaded or loaded—at any time, as long as it's not in furtherance of committing a crime. Individuals age 18 to 20 who legally possess a firearm may transport unloaded firearms in vehicles, openly or concealed. If you're stopped by police, you must tell the officer that you have a gun in your car; failing to do so, however, will only get you a $100 ticket.

(Okla. Stat. tit. 21, §§ 1289.7, 1289.13A, 1290.8 (2025).)

Getting Legal Help

As noted above, gun laws are complex. Talk to an expert or attorney if you have questions regarding Oklahoma's gun laws. If you face criminal charges, talk to a criminal defense attorney or public defender.