Oklahoma guns exempted from federal rules in bill OK'd by House panel

The bill also specifically prohibits firearms covered under the act from being sold to convicted felons or anyone who has been adjudicated legally incompetent or committed to a mental health institution.

Rep. John Bennett, a co-sponsor of the bill, said he and other gun rights advocates in the Legislature are notifying gun manufacturers across the country of the pending legislation and urging them to consider moving their operations to Oklahoma.

“We've sent packages out to them, inviting them to Oklahoma and letting them know we are a gun-friendly state,” said Bennett, R-Sallisaw. “We are a gun-friendly state, and we want their business here.”

Former Democratic Gov. Brad Henry vetoed a similar bill during his final year in office in 2010, saying at the time it would abolish common-sense regulations like background checks and give criminals easy access to a wide array of weapons. He also said the bill was certain to draw a legal challenge and result in a losing court battle.

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Sean Murphy can be reached at www.twitter.com/apseanmurphy