Open Carry Law
This Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 the State of Oklahoma will allow people to carry a gun without a permit or license (Oklahoma Open Carry Law – HB 2597). This may be referred to as the Open Carry Law or Permitless Carry.
What is the Metropolitan Library System policy regarding guns?
AL 300 Rules of Conduct policy states:
The following actions and forms of conduct are not permitted: Carrying firearms and/or dangerous weapons of any type, except armed law enforcement officers or Metropolitan Library System authorized security officers.
Only armed law enforcement officers or Metropolitan Library System authorized security officers can carry firearms and/or dangerous weapons of any type in any library building or vehicle.
What should library staff do if they see non-law enforcement in our facility with a gun?
- Remain calm.
- Politely inform the customer of the AL 300 Rules of Conduct policy and provide them a copy if necessary.
- Serious or repeated misconduct may lead to restrictions including loss of library privileges ranging from one day to two years, and/or appropriate legal action.
- Ask them to leave the Library if they have a weapon.
- If customer does not comply with your request call 911.
- Log in to post comments
Comments
Thanks for adding this. We've had some concerned staff, and I am pleased to see the system providing information to staff before this transition.
Another term that is used quite often is, "Constitutional Carry." I've included a link below that shows all of the current States that fall under this category if anyone is curious.
http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/constitutional-carry-states/
I'm not a law expert, but I thought it might be worth posting House Bill (now law) 2597. It can be perused here:
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2019-20%20ENR/hB/HB2597%20ENR.PDF
The part I found most pertinent for public librarians is on page 5:
It shall be unlawful for any person, including a person in
possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the
provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, to carry any concealed
or unconcealed handgun into any of the following places:
1. Any structure, building, or office space which is owned or
leased by a city, town, county, state or federal governmental
authority for the purpose of conducting business with the public;
2. Any courthouse, courtroom, prison, jail, detention facility
or any facility used to process, hold or house arrested persons,
prisoners or persons alleged delinquent or adjudicated delinquent,
except as provided in Section 21 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma
Statutes;
3. Any public or private elementary or public or private
secondary school, except as provided in subsections C and D of this
section;
4. Any publicly owned or operated sports arena or venue during
a professional sporting event, unless allowed by the event holder;
5. Any place where gambling is authorized by law, unless
allowed by the property owner; and
6. Any other place specifically prohibited by law.
Thanks, Josh! That's very helpful!!