Oklahoma Senate Bill SB23

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Second Amendment; allowing certain detention or arrest. Effective date.

Impact

If SB23 is enacted, it would fundamentally alter the legal landscape surrounding gun ownership and regulation in Oklahoma. The bill essentially asserts that any federal rule mandating the confiscation or regulation of firearms would not only be non-enforceable in Oklahoma but would also allow local sheriffs to detain federal agents attempting to enforce such laws. This empowerment of local law enforcement is intended to create a protective buffer around the rights of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms without governmental overreach.

Summary

Senate Bill 23, introduced by Senator Dahm, seeks to amend 21 O.S. 2021, Section 1289.24e, which is part of the Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act. The bill removes any state or local regulations that could infringe upon the rights of citizens as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. It specifically empowers law enforcement agencies and courts in Oklahoma to take action against federal employees enforcing laws they deem unconstitutional regarding firearm regulations and rights. This amendment is positioned as a reinforcement of state sovereignty over federal directives concerning gun control.

Contention

Opponents of SB23 may argue that this bill could lead to significant conflicts between state and federal laws. Critics express concern that the preemption of federal firearm regulations could hinder law enforcement's ability to act under federal guidelines and complicate legal accountability in situations involving gun violence or related crimes. Proponents, however, contend that the bill is a necessary measure to ensure that citizens’ rights are not marginalized by overreaching federal policies, emphasizing the importance of state autonomy in interpreting and implementing constitutional rights.