Everything you need to know about Oklahoma’s new open-carry gun law

Q. What are the prohibited places for carrying a handgun?

Carrying a weapon openly or concealed is not allowed in:

• Any business that displays a sign prohibiting firearms.

• All city, state and federal buildings.

• All elementary and secondary school properties and on school buses.

• An establishment where alcohol is consumed if the sale of alcohol constitutes the establishment’s primary source of income.

• Any place where pari-mutuel wagering is authorized.

• Any sports arena during a professional sporting event.

• A meeting of almost any governmental entity or legislative body; any jail, prison or detention facility.

• Any place owned or leased by a city, state or federal government for the purpose of conducting public business.

• Any courthouse.

• Colleges, universities and technology centers, except where authorized.

• Any other place specifically prohibited by law.

Q. Do business owners need to post a “No Firearms” sign to prohibit guns inside their business?

Oklahoma law allows private property owners to prohibit a person with a handgun license from carrying a handgun into their business, sign or not.

A sign is a convenient way of telling the public firearms are not allowed, but the law allows for business owners to share their policy verbally.

Q. How does a person gain a permit to carry a firearm in Oklahoma?

Any established resident who is a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old and who has completed a firearms safety and training course can apply for a permit through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

The bureau will review the application, conduct criminal and mental health background checks, and will approve or deny the permit within 60 days if no prohibitive records are revealed.

The cost is $100 for a five-year permit or $200 for 10 years, and the cost also can include up to $100 in processing fees.

Go to www.ok.gov/osbi for more information or an application.