Like most states, Oklahoma law permits judges to carry firearms into their assigned courthouses and/or courtrooms. Specifically it exempts judges from the unlawful carry statutes (emphasis added)
[T]his section shall not prohibit…The carrying or use of weapons in a courthouse by a district judge, associate district judge or special district judge within this state, who is in possession of a valid concealed handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and whose name appears on a list maintained by the Administrative Director of the Courts (21 Okl. St. § 1272(A)(4))
District judges, associate district judges and special district judges, who are in possession of a valid concealed handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and whose names appear on a list maintained by the Administrative Director of the Courts, shall be exempt from this section when acting in the course and scope of employment within the courthouses of this state. (21 Okl. St. § 1277(E))
Under the terms of SB 1733, signed into law by Oklahoma’s Governor on May 15, the state would now permit “open carry” of firearms with a valid handgun license. The law would also remove the word “concealed ” in the above statutes, thus allowing judges to carry unconcealed in courthouses.
The statute changes go into effect November 1.
