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Rush to act on guns can make things worse

The Oklahoman Editorial | Published: January 24, 2013 Comment on this article

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Some of those are likely good ideas, but not all. We're skeptical that Senate Bill 548, by state Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, would withstand a court challenge. It declares federal gun laws and regulations to be “invalid” and “considered null and void” in Oklahoma. If something like federal gun registration actually passed Congress — unlikely — opponents could and should challenge it in federal court. However, if the courts uphold those laws, Senate Bill 548 would do little but generate legal bills for the state, which doesn't benefit Oklahomans or increase their rights.

Gun policies should attack the criminal activity we all oppose without infringing on the rights of the law-abiding. To achieve that goal, it's more important for lawmakers to carefully craft legislation than to Do Something Now!

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