Oklahoma Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

Yes. Oklahoma allows a person to carry a firearm, concealed or unconcealed, loaded or unloaded, without a handgun license if the person is 21 or older, or 18 to 20 and a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard or honorably discharged. The person must not be barred from having or buying a firearm under state or federal law and must not carry it in furtherance of a crime. People convicted (in Oklahoma or elsewhere) of assault and battery causing serious physical injury, aggravated assault and battery, domestic-abuse assault and battery, stalking, violating a domestic-abuse protective order, or an illegal drug use or possession offense under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act may not carry under this rule. Permitless carriers are still barred from the places listed in 21 O.S. § 1277(A).

Oklahoma issues a 'handgun license' under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) issues it, and applicants file in person with their county sheriff. It is shall-issue. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents living in Oklahoma, and at least 21 (or 18 to 20 if a member or veteran of the Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard, or honorably discharged). They must complete a firearms safety and training course and show they can handle a pistol. The course is designed to be finished within an eight-hour period. The processing fee is $100 for a five-year license and double that for ten years. The sheriff may charge up to $25 for fingerprints and up to $10 for photos. Renewal costs $85, or double for ten years. The license allows carrying a handgun concealed or unconcealed and is valid for five (5) or ten (10) years.

Allowed. Adults 21 or older (18-20 if military members or veterans) may carry a firearm unconcealed without a license, and handgun licensees may carry concealed or unconcealed. Open carry is barred in the places listed in § 1277(A). On city zoo or park property run by a public trust or nonprofit, a handgun may be carried only concealed, not openly. Anyone may carry unloaded shotguns, rifles and pistols to or from their home or vehicle. Loaded or unloaded guns may be carried while hunting, at shooting events, or for lawful self-defense.

It is unlawful to sell or give any pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle to anyone under eighteen (18), and unlawful for someone under 18 to possess one. A parent or guardian, or someone with their permission, may give a child a firearm for hunting, hunter safety classes, firearm safety training, target shooting, skeet, trap or other sporting events. The statute sets no separate state minimum age of 21 for buying handguns.

Oklahoma has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) sales. Only the state may regulate the sale, purchase, transfer or licensing of firearms; cities and counties may not.

Oklahoma has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm. Cities and counties may not adopt any rule on the 'sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer' of firearms.

Oklahoma has no state law that provides for extreme risk protection orders. Its Anti-Red Flag Act bars cities and counties from adopting such orders. It also bars state and local agencies from accepting grants or funding to carry out any law or order that would force an extreme risk protection order on an Oklahoma citizen.

Oklahoma has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity. Cities and counties may not regulate firearms, components or ammunition.

Anyone not barred from having or buying a firearm, and not carrying it in furtherance of a crime, may transport a firearm in or on a vehicle, loaded or unloaded, at any time. A person 18 to 20 who is not barred may transport an unloaded firearm, open or concealed. If an officer asks during an arrest, detention or traffic stop, the person must say they have a firearm; refusing can bring a citation of up to $100. Employers and businesses may not ban storing firearms in a locked vehicle in a parking area (convicted felons excepted).

Oklahoma honors every valid concealed or unconcealed carry permit or license issued by another state. Visitors from states that allow carry without a permit may carry here if they follow the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. Visitors must tell an officer they are armed when they come into contact with one; permitless visitors must do so when the officer asks.

Carrying is banned, even with a license, in: government buildings or offices used to do business with the public (cities and towns may allow licensed concealed carry in theirs, but not in courts or jails); courthouses, courtrooms, prisons, jails and detention centers; public or private elementary and secondary schools (unless a private school or school board policy allows); publicly owned arenas during professional sporting events unless the event holder allows; gambling sites unless the owner allows; secured public events with fences, officers and metal detectors; and any other place banned by law. Carrying is also banned in businesses whose main purpose is selling alcohol, and on college, university and technology-center property except as the law allows. Private owners, employers and churches may ban guns on their property and must post signs if it is open to the public. Parking lots and public parks are generally allowed. Carrying into a courthouse, jail or school is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $250.

Oklahoma has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms or kits. The Self-Defense Act says none of its provisions 'shall be construed to require or authorize the registration, documentation or providing of serial numbers with regard to any firearm.' Cities and counties may not regulate firearms or firearm parts.