New gun bill puts WCWS, other OKC events, in peril

[adaniel]

This should probably be posted in the politics section; however, given the huge implications of this on OKC I am leaving this here.

Oklahoma proposed bill would prevent businesses from banning guns at certain events | News OK

The measure would imperil national shows, athletic competitions and concerts that pump hundreds millions of dollars into the economy, said Roy Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. Businesses that run these events often contractually require that guns be banned.

“It could literally kill dozens, dozens and dozens of regional and national events,” said Williams, who is urging the governor to veto it.

Left out of this story but included in the AP article was that the city's 20 year contract with the Womens College World Series specifically states that firearms are prohibited at the venue. So this law would make that portion illegal.

Once again, the state legislature is at it again and they are about to screw OKC over big time. You folks in OKC need to call the governor's office, the chamber cannot do it alone.

[kevinpate]

I can not feign surprise any more. Even if Fallin vetoes, it appears enough votes to override exist.

- itsgoodtobeahermit

[bradh]

I'm pro-gun, but gun advocacy groups (and many other special interest groups as well) are so narrow sighted

[Of Sound Mind]

I'm pro-gun, but gun advocacy groups (and many other special interest groups as well) are so narrow sighted

Ditto, which is why I dropped memberships to them all.

[HangryHippo]

I'm pro-gun, but gun advocacy groups (and many other special interest groups as well) are so narrow sighted

I'm all for people being able to purchase the guns they want to purchase for home defense and recreation. That being said, holy ****. Why in the hell do they have to be taken everywhere? Why can't they just be left in the car during an event?

[bchris02]

Oklahoma Republicans truly only believe in unrestricted liberty when it comes to gun rights. Anything else, be it who you love, what you drink, or what you smoke, they want to control. They not only want to control Oklahomans but they want to spend millions to force other states to do it their way as well. While I am personally pro-gun, the hypocrisy of the legislators angers me.

[bchris02]

I'm all for people being able to purchase the guns they want to purchase for home defense and recreation. That being said, holy ****. Why in the hell do they have to be taken everywhere? Why can't they just be left in the car during an event?

They don't. This is to pander to the ultra-conservative base in this state.

[hoya]

Oklahoma Republicans truly only believe in unrestricted liberty when it comes to gun rights. Anything else, be it who you love, what you drink, or what you smoke, they want to control. They not only want to control Oklahomans but they want to spend millions to force other states to do it their way as well. While I am personally pro-gun, the hypocrisy of the legislators angers me.

Not all Republicans (or Democrats) are the same. Even in Oklahoma.

The perception amongst our legislators is that all Oklahoma Republicans are ultra religious gun lovers who fear Obama and love big business. That is not the case, however.

[okatty]

One word - SCARY

Actually there are more words but that one was tops on my initial gut reaction list.

[adaniel]

The more I digest this the angrier I get. Stuff like this is causing me to slowly give up on Oklahoma.

This law was passed in response to the fiasco with the Norman Music Festival. That was only 2 or 3 weeks ago. So in less than 3 weeks, the legislature has had full hearing and vote on a major, controversial bill that has the potential to torpedo several high profile events in OKC so said group of folks can satisfy the gun lobby, with nary a peep from the local media until it has reached the governor's desk. And if you think Mary Fallin has the backbone to go against this, then I've got beachfront property in Guymon to sell you.

My question is: where is the mayor? Where is the council? Why is the chamber only now speaking out? Do people in OKC even care any more? Maybe I am just looking at this from an outsider perspective now, but its just disgusting to me that these laws that keep coming out of the state house that have the ability to hurt OKC and the people who are in charge don't say a word until its too late. Its all just incredibly frustrating. I wonder why I care at this point.

[kevinpate]

... Why can't they just be left in the car during an event?

Why, my dear Bard, it's because the 2nd Amendment did not limit folk to the right to store arms in the glove box, nor the trunk, nor under the seat. Nay, it bestowed the right to bear arms. How's anyone going to know just how precious that right is to someone if they must take their firearm off any more often than Marshal Dillon removed his hat.

[Jersey Boss]

Not all Republicans (or Democrats) are the same. Even in Oklahoma.

The perception amongst our legislators is that all Oklahoma Republicans are ultra religious gun lovers who fear Obama and love big business. That is not the case, however.

But if the legislators run on this, and get reelected by double digit margins, why should they change?

[BoulderSooner]

In reading the actually bill. I don't see what the big deal is here. In no way does this jeopardize the wcws or their ability to restrict guns.

[Jersey Boss]

The big deal is that the State Fair, Chesapeake Arena, BOK Center and any other public venue under municipal authority would no longer be able to restrict admission based on someone coming in that is packing. It is a big deal.

[BoulderSooner]

The bill would not restrict the peake bok or buildings at the fairgrounds from excluding guns. Nor the wcws.

[onthestrip]

Lets hope Mary sides with her financial backers on this one, the state chamber, and vetoes this unnecessary and potentially economically harming bill.

[Jersey Boss]

The bill would not restrict the peake bok or buildings at the fairgrounds from excluding guns. Nor the wcws.

The fellow who runs the fair itself disagrees with your interpretation:

Tim O’Toole, president and chief executive of Oklahoma State Fair Inc., opposes the bill.

“The city of Oklahoma City has worked extremely hard and invested millions to upgrade facilities to create national and international horse show events and those events in turn create a tremendous amount of jobs in tourism and hospitality industry,” he said. “I have serious reservations of those events’ willingness to come to family-oriented venues if we allow handguns in.

“This legislation would appear to severely impede our rights to operate our business as we see fit.”

Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman ruled that the city couldn't give up control of public sidewalks and streets to music festival organizers, and because it is public land, a ban on licensed gun carriers could not be enforced.

Is the WCWS, Cheasapeake Arena, BOK Center, State Fairgrounds public land?
Show me where in the bill that when a city leases out its property to a private entity, the private entity can ban guns at its event.

[king183]

The more I digest this the angrier I get. Stuff like this is causing me to slowly give up on Oklahoma.

This law was passed in response to the fiasco with the Norman Music Festival. That was only 2 or 3 weeks ago. So in less than 3 weeks, the legislature has had full hearing and vote on a major, controversial bill that has the potential to torpedo several high profile events in OKC so said group of folks can satisfy the gun lobby, with nary a peep from the local media until it has reached the governor's desk. And if you think Mary Fallin has the backbone to go against this, then I've got beachfront property in Guymon to sell you.

My question is: where is the mayor? Where is the council? Why is the chamber only now speaking out? Do people in OKC even care any more? Maybe I am just looking at this from an outsider perspective now, but its just disgusting to me that these laws that keep coming out of the state house that have the ability to hurt OKC and the people who are in charge don't say a word until its too late. Its all just incredibly frustrating. I wonder why I care at this point.

There was no hearing on this. This was an amendment to a bill at the last possible minute by Kevin Calvey (the guy who said he would set himself on fire in front of the Supreme Court). SO, don't get so frustrated with the mayor, council, etc. It wasn't like this went through the entire committee and hearing process, which would have allowed public input. The NRA didn't even request this. Calvey just wanted to grandstand at the last minute to show how pro-gun he is. I'm betting the governor vetoes on the grounds that the law is too vague.

[bradh]

He's my new rep, I'd like to drop him a letter and let him know he's an embarrassment to practical conservatives of his district.

[BoulderSooner]

Thanks for citing a news article. And that was a judges determination. So are you saying right now I can take a gun on any public owned land. Because that is not what that case is about.


Read the law. City designated park recreational area and fair ground. Period. This are excluded. Not buildings and clearly not the wscs or the peake or bok

[bradh]

Thanks for citing a news article. And that was a judges determination. So are you saying right now I can take a gun on any public owned land. Because that is not what that case is about.


Read the law. City designated park recreational area and fair ground. Period. This are excluded. Not buildings and clearly not the wscs or the peake or bok

English, do you speak it?

[hoya]

He's my new rep, I'd like to drop him a letter and let him know he's an embarrassment to practical conservatives of his district.

I met him years and years ago. Seemed a nice, middle of the road conservative back then. Don't know why the sudden need to go super-conservative.

[bradh]

Thanks for citing a news article. And that was a judges determination. So are you saying right now I can take a gun on any public owned land. Because that is not what that case is about.


Read the law. City designated park recreational area and fair ground. Period. This are excluded. Not buildings and clearly not the wscs or the peake or bok

Fine, it doesn't cover buildings. Park area and fairgrounds should be enough, there will be events the fairgrounds will lose.

[BoulderSooner]

And acording to the judges ruling you just cited they might not have been able to stop that anyway.

[Edgar]

Reap what you sow. Republicans have been wet nursing the wingnuts for a long time to serve their self interests. Too late to beat the creation back into the basement.