Republican Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed legislation Friday that would’ve allowed anyone in the state to carry firearms without a permit, claiming the current barriers to getting a gun are “few and reasonable.”
Fallin stressed that she is a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment and owns firearms herself, but she claimed removing the permit requirement would have an adverse effect on policing.
“SB 1212 eliminates the current ability of Oklahoma law enforcement to distinguish between those carrying guns who have been trained and vetted, and those who have not,” Fallin said in a statement. “Oklahomans believe that law-abiding individuals should be able to defend themselves. I believe the firearms requirement we currently have in state law are few and reasonable. Senate Bill 1212 eliminates the training requirements for persons carrying a firearm in Oklahoma. It reduces the level of the background check necessary to carry a gun.”
The NRA criticized Fallin for the move, however, claiming she was working against the 2nd Amendment. Chris Cox, who heads the NRA’s lobbying efforts, also claimed Fallin had promised to support similar legislation during her campaign. (RELATED: NRA Sues New York Governor For ‘Blacklisting Campaign’)
“Make no mistake, this temporary setback will be rectified when Oklahoma residents elect a new, and genuinely pro-Second Amendment governor,” Cox told The Washington Post.
Regarding the adoption bill, Fallin said it was important that religious institutions be able to withhold adoptions from would-be adopters they believe to be immoral. (RELATED: Oklahoma Passes Adoption Bill Criticized As Anti-Gay)
“SB 1140 allows faith-based agencies that contract with Oklahoma to continue to operate in accordance with their beliefs,” Fallin said. “In a day and time when diversity is becoming a core value to society because it will lead to more options, we should recognize its value for serving Oklahoma also because it leads to more options for loving homes to serve Oklahoma children. Other states that have declined the protection to faith-based agencies have seen these agencies close their doors, leaving less options for successful placement of children who need loving parents.”
Fallin also approved two pieces of legislation — one allowing statues of the Ten Commandments on public grounds and another granting adoption agencies the authority to deny adoptions based on religious beliefs, Tulsa World reported.
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