Oklahoma State Law Summary

Last updated November 4, 2010

In the publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 firearm-related policy areas. Oklahoma ranked 34th out of 50 – having enacted few gun violence prevention laws. Among other things, Oklahoma does not:

Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;

License or otherwise regulate firearms dealers;

Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;

Require gun owners to obtain a license;

Require that gun owners register their firearms;

Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases; or

Regulate unsafe handguns.

Local governments in Oklahoma generally lack authority to regulate firearms or ammunition, and Oklahoma requires local law enforcement to issue a concealed handgun license to any applicant who meets certain basic qualifications.

Oklahoma ranks 15th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2007, 482 people died from firearm-related injuries in Oklahoma. In 2009, Oklahoma supplied the 19th highest number of crime guns to other states per capita, and exports more crime guns than it imports.

For details about specific firearms laws in Oklahoma, choose a topic below.

Overview

State "Right to Bear Arms"

Statistics

Local Authority to Regulate Firearms

State Firearms Policies