Effective November 1, 2019, Oklahoma will be a constitutional carry state. Residents age 21 and older as well as veterans and active duty or reserve military members age 18 and older may carry a firearm without a permit. Convicted felons, those with domestic violence convictions, or anyone who has been adjudicated as having a mental illness are prohibited from carrying a firearm.

Existing protections that allow private property owners, including employers, to prohibit firearms and ammunitions from being carried on their property (except in locked personal vehicles on the employer’s parking lot), are not affected and may continue to be enforced.

In light of this development, employers should revisit their written policies to ensure compliance with Oklahoma law. If it is the Employer’s desire, it may want to specify in those policies that both open and concealed carrying of firearms is prohibited. Employers wanting to prohibit firearms should also post signs notifying employees and visitors that the open or concealed carrying of firearms is prohibited on the employer’s property.

By Rebecca D. Bullard, rbullard@dsda.com