Oklahoma militia group holds gun rally

“Together we're a force to be reckoned with,” Ron Cross told about 80 people, several of whom held signs or flags. At least four openly carried handguns.

Cross, of Oklahoma City, several times said lawmakers don't have the authority to give them the right to carry or own a gun.

“That should be my decision, not theirs,” said Cross, who identified himself as commander of about 300 militia members of the Oklahoma Defense Force, which sponsored the hourlong rally.

This is the first week of the legislative session, but lawmakers rarely meet on Fridays. Most in the building were unaware of the rally on the north plaza because the north-side door of the Capitol is not used as an entrance or exit.

Cross, who has been involved with state militia groups since the early 1990s, said his group isn't all that upset with state lawmakers, who last year passed an open-carry measure that lets those with a handgun license openly display their weapon in a holster. Before the law took effect, people with state-issued permits had to conceal their weapons. Those with a handgun license may carry them openly on Capitol grounds but not in the building.

“For the most part, Oklahoma has good gun laws,” Cross said. “They need to be better.”

He said it shouldn't be a crime for anyone to carry a gun for self-defense.

“Defending yourself is not a crime,” he said. “That's a God-given right.”

Cross and others were mostly frustrated with President Barack Obama and those in Congress who are pressing for gun controls, including a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons.