Turner Asks Senate To Override Gov’s Veto

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2014

 

Rep. Turner Requests Senate to Follow Through on Veto Override of Second Amendment Rights Measure

OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, members of the House of Representatives performed a veto override on House Bill 2461, a measure aimed at protecting and strengthening Second Amendment rights in Oklahoma.

But state Rep. Mike Turner, the author of the measure, is concerned the Oklahoma Senate could derail what he says is an important piece of legislation for the state’s citizens.

“I’m very concerned with what I’m hearing out of the halls of the state Senate,” said Turner, R-Edmond. “There’s talk of horse-trading deals involving other bills, such as limiting one involving ethics reform. That is unfair and goes against passing good pieces of legislation on its own merits. Also, I’m hearing they’ll try to tinker with the measure to extend the 15-day waiting period if the purchaser is not prohibited of possessing a firearm.”

Turner said the 15-day period in his bill is not unique. A similar measure passed in Kansas, House Bill 2578, contained the same number of days and similar overall language. It was passed in March and had the full support of the NRA. The veto message from Gov. Mary Fallin indicates the number of days wasn’t the issue.

“Horse-trading bills in order to backpedal and score points at the cost of individual freedom is concerning to me because it isn’t putting the people first,” Turner said. “Furthermore, it flies in the face of one of the core elements of our Constitution. That’s unacceptable to me and I will fight for the Second Amendment at every turn.

“The governor’s office has misinterpreted the language in this situation and compromising the integrity of this bill goes against the Second Amendment rights Oklahomans believe in so strongly.”

Turner said talk of rolling this language into another measure would be problematic.

“Even taking the legislatively-approved language and stuffing it into a conference bill could cause constitutional issues – most notably the state’s single-subject rule,” Turner said. “This is a potentially-gigantic issue and it’s just sad that we’re at this point with a bill supporting the rights of gun owners.

“I highly encourage the state Senate to join the House in enacting a veto override on this bill. It’s too important to this state to allow good policy to die on the vine.”

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