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Time Running Out For Effort To Halt Permitless Carry In Oklahoma

Volunteers with Moms Demand Action carry petitions in Tulsa, Okla.
facebook.com/MomsDemandActionOK
Volunteers with Moms Demand Action carry petitions in Tulsa, Okla.

The lawmaker behind a petition to stop permitless carry from taking effect November 1 says he’s optimistic about having enough signatures.

State Representative Jason Lowe says supporters are circulating more than 4,000 petitions, which could possibly generate 76,000 signatures.

This past legislative session, Lowe opposed House Bill 2597, which allows allows most Oklahomans 21 and older to carry a gun in public without a permit. But after the shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas, he felt he needed to do more.

“I just couldn’t stand aside and not do anything. I had to take a stand at that point in time. Although we have absolutely no money. We have don’t have million dollar donors. It’s just literally a grass roots operation.”

The Oklahoma City Democrat says a challenge to the petition has been filed, leading him to believe his opponents are getting nervous about it succeeding. He's calling on volunteers to turn in any petitions they have as he has to provide nearly 60,000 signatures to the Secretary of State by Thursday at 5 p.m. Lowe adds citizens can find locations to sign the petition at the “No on 803” Facebook page.

House Bill 2597 passed with overwhelming support and was the first bill signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt.

Copyright 2019 KOSU

Michael Cross has been with KOSU since 2008, working as the state capitol bureau chief for seven years, as well as KOSU's student coordinator. While he still keeps up with the capitol and does some reporting, his roles have changed. As of October 2014, he's now the host of KOSU's Morning Edition.