Overview: Oklahoma has amended its concealed carry firearm law clarifying employers’ rights and obligations with respect to prohibiting firearms on business premises.
Effective Date: November 1, 2019
Details:
Oklahoma amended its concealed carry firearm laws to allow individuals to carry firearms without a permit or training.
Of greatest interest to employers, the amendment clarifies employers’ rights and obligations with respect to prohibiting firearms on business premises. Business owners’ rights under the existing law provides business owners may limit or control possession of weapons on their property. However, no business may establish policies or rules that prohibit any person, except convicted felons, from having firearms in a locked vehicle in parking areas.
If a business prohibits firearms and is open to the public, then it must post signs stating that carrying a firearm on the premises is prohibited. The amendment clarifies that if the property has signs prohibiting firearms, then the property owner, business entity, or manager must inform the individual carrying the firearm that the individual is in violation of the business’s policy prohibiting firearms. Then, if the person carrying the firearm refuses to leave, and a peace officer is summoned, the person is subject to a misdemeanor.
The clarification is codified at Oklahoma Statutes, title 21, section 1290.22.
Action Required: Employers should review and revise, if necessary, weapons in the workplace policies and procedures, and advise employees of amended policy language. They should train managers, HR, and security personnel on amended laws’ requirements. And, if firearms are prohibited on the premises, they should ensure the proper signage is posted.
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