Oklahoma Senate Bill SJR49

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Constitutional amendment; prohibiting infringement of certain right.

Impact

If enacted, SJR49 would strengthen existing protections for firearm ownership in Oklahoma, officially enshrining this right in the state constitution. This would not only affirm the rights of individuals under state law but also represent a significant commitment to supporting gun ownership rights. The amendment would delineate the scope of permissible regulations by allowing the legislature to set rules concerning the carrying of weapons, yet explicitly preventing any outright bans on ownership or possession of firearms for legitimate purposes.

Summary

SJR49 is a Senate Joint Resolution that proposes an amendment to Section 26 of Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution, aiming to reinforce the fundamental right of citizens to keep and bear arms. The bill emphasizes that this right encompasses handguns, rifles, shotguns, knives, nonlethal defensive weapons, ammunition, and components of these weapons, endorsing their use for self-defense, lawful hunting, recreation, and other legitimate purposes. It seeks to establish a robust legal framework that protects this right from being infringed upon.

Contention

The primary points of contention surrounding SJR49 focus on the broader implications of reinforced gun rights. Advocates argue that stronger constitutional protections are necessary to safeguard individual freedoms and self-defense rights in a changing landscape of gun legislation. Conversely, opponents raise concerns that such amendments may lead to increased difficulty in regulating firearms effectively, potentially exacerbating issues related to gun violence and public safety in communities. The dialogue surrounding the bill underscores the divide in opinions about the balance between individual rights and collective security.