In 2019, Oklahoma repealed its requirement that people obtain a license and background check to carry firearms in public. Oklahoma now generally authorizes any person aged 21 or older who is not disqualified from possessing firearms under state or federal law, to carry loaded firearms in most public spaces, including both concealed and openly carried firearms, provided they are not doing so in furtherance of a crime.¹

A separate state law also explicitly authorizes a person to carry both loaded and unloaded shotguns, rifles, and handguns without a license in the following circumstances, (although the law described above applies more broadly in most public spaces as well):

• When hunting animals or fowl;
• During competition in or practicing in a safety or hunter safety class, target shooting, skeet, trap or other recognized sporting events;
• During participation in or in preparation for a military function of the state military forces to be defined as the Oklahoma Army or Air National Guard, Federal Military Reserve and active military forces;
• During participation in or in preparation for a recognized police function of either a municipal, county or state government as functioning police officials;
• During a practice for or a performance for entertainment purposes; and
• For lawful self-defense and self-protection or any other legitimate purpose in or on property that is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise legally controlled by the person.²

Oklahoma also allows open carrying of an unloaded shotgun, rifle or handgun without a license when a person is going to or from their private residence or vehicle, although the broader law regarding public carry applies in most public spaces as well.³

“Unconcealed handgun” and “open carry” are defined to include any loaded or unloaded firearm “carried upon the person where the firearm is visible, or carried upon the person using a holster, scabbard, sling or case.”⁴

See the Location Restrictions in Oklahoma and Guns in Schools in Oklahoma pages regarding state laws restricting the open carrying of firearms in certain sensitive areas. See the Guns in Vehicles in Oklahoma page regarding related rules governing the carrying and transport of firearms in motor vehicles.

Reciprocity

Oklahoma recognizes any valid open carry weapons permit or license issued by another state.⁵

“Any person entering [Oklahoma] in possession of a firearm authorized for concealed or unconcealed carry upon the authority and license of another state is authorized to continue to carry a concealed or unconcealed firearm and license in [Oklahoma]; provided the license from the other state remains valid. The firearm must either be carried unconcealed or concealed from detection and view, and upon coming in contact with any peace officer of this state, the person must disclose the fact that he or she is in possession of a concealed or unconcealed firearm pursuant to a valid concealed or unconcealed carry weapons permit or license issued in another state.”⁶

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1. 21 Okla. Stat. § 1272(A)(6). People aged 18 -20 may also carry concealed or openly carry firearms in public if they are a member or veteran of the US Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard or were discharged under honorable conditions from the US Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard. Id.[↩]
2. Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 21, § 1289.6(A).[↩]
3. Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 21, § 1289.6(B).[↩]
4. Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 21, § 1290.2(A)(3).[↩]
5. Okla. Stat. Ann. tit, 21, § 1290.26.[↩]
6. Okla. Stat. Ann. tit, 21, § 1290.26(A).[↩]