"In my district when you turn 18, you already have 16 years of experience with a gun," said Rep. Jerry Ellis, who added that he was exaggerating to make his point.

Ellis, from southeastern Oklahoma, is the author of House Bill 2232, which was approved 15-1 on Monday by the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

The bill was requested by the Oklahoma Rifle Association, the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, said Ellis, D-Valliant.

Charles Smith of Yukon, executive director of the state association, said the reason for passing the bill is simple.

"If people can vote and serve in the military at age 18, they should be able to carry a concealed gun," he said.

Rep. Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said she realizes that sometimes, especially in rural areas, fathers teach their sons how to hunt and handle a gun at an early age.

"I'm not against guns," she said. "But, I wonder whether 18-year-olds are old enough to carry them. I am here to vote for what I think is right."

A week ago, the judiciary committee approved a bill that would allow 21-year-olds to carry concealed weapons on college campuses and sent the bill to the House.

Ellis emphasized that his bill has nothing to do with that measure, sponsored by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie.

But Rep. Lucky Lamons, a former longtime Tulsa police officer, said that if these bills both pass, an 18-year-old would be able to carry a concealed weapon into a college classroom.

Lamons, D-Tulsa, said he realizes that it is difficult for lawmakers to vote against legislation dealing with the Second Amendment's right to bear arms because they don't want to be perceived by their constituents as being against guns.

Lamons said college officials are quietly contacting legislators to express concerns about Murphey's bill but that administrators don't want to speak publicly against gun-carrying laws.

"It's a sad day in Oklahoma and the United States that we are even looking at these issues," Lamons said.

Rep. Mark McCullough, R-Sapulpa, who was not present during the committee meeting when the vote was taken, said he is still struggling with the merits of Ellis' legislation.

"I am a staunch supporter of gun rights and have a permit myself," said McCullough, a lawyer and a former assistant district attorney.

He and Lamons agreed that the Legislature needs to consider the bill's ramifications.

"This is something that we ought to have robust discussion about before we do this," McCullough said.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says it is having a difficult time keeping up with all the applications for concealed-carry licenses. The OSBI has to run security and background checks on applicants within 90 days.

"We are absolutely inundated," OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown said. "We are barely able to process applications in the time frame allowed by law."

More than 60,000 Oklahomans are licensed to carry concealed weapons. Licenses granted in 2006 totaled 9,591. That number jumped to 16,426 in 2007, according to the OSBI.

Mick Hinton (405) 528-2465
mick.hinton@tulsaworld.com

YOUNG GUNS

States that allow 18-yearolds to carry concealed weapons:

Alabama
California
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Maine
Montana
New Hampshire
North Dakota
South Dakota
Texas
Wyoming

Source: handgunlaw.us