Sen. Jim Wilson: "When you bring a gun to the problem, you exacerbate the problem," said Wilson, who opposed the measure
OKLAHOMA CITY - The state Senate on Tuesday sent the House a watered-down open-carry bill.
But the measure's author, Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said House Bill 2522 still could be used as a vehicle to enact open carry.
House Bill 2522 would allow land owners to openly carry weapons on their property.
It also would allow for those with weapons locked in their cars to also have ammunition in the secured vehicle.
The measure passed by a vote of 39-2 with no debate.
Sens. Al McCaffrey, D-Oklahoma City, and Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, cast the lone no votes.
McCaffrey, a former police officer, said he thought the measure would be a threat to law enforcement.
Wilson said people who want to openly carry weapons want to intimidate others.
"There is no reason to do it," Wilson said. "They can conceal carry. When you bring a gun to the problem, you exacerbate the problem. It makes us look stupid."
In March, the Senate Committee on Public Safety passed the measure.
As passed out of committee, it would have allowed for firearms to be carried openly without a concealed-carry permit, but Treat made changes to the measure on the Senate floor.
Abortion drugs: The Senate sent Gov. Mary Fallin a measure that would require women who take drugs to induce an abortion to do so in the physical presence of a doctor.
Sen. Kim David, R-Wagoner, is the author of HB 2381. She said the measure is needed to continue the important relationship between the doctor and the patient. The measure would prevent webcam abortions, she said.
Wilson said the measure was not a safety issue but an effort to harass women.
He said those who oppose abortion are running out of ways to harass women.
David said that some women who have taken the medication have reported serious health issues.
Abortion providers: The Senate sent the House a measure that would allow for civil causes of action against doctors who do not follow state laws governing abortion.
HB 2561 by Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, would also allow for civil causes of action against those who refer a woman to an abortion provider and the person knows the provider is breaking the law.
Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, called the measure another indication that the Republicans continue to want to have a war on women.
Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, said the measure expands the liability of doctors, something Jolley disagreed with.
Jolley said the bill is an effort to hold those liable who intentionally break the law.
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Diluted open-carry bill advances
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