Oklahoma is a constitutional carry state with permission to make use of firearms.

However, the state has restrictions on how and where to use firearms within its territory.

To open carry in Oklahoma, you must familiarize yourself with all the laws about possession of firearms openly.

Oklahoma Gun Laws Summary

You can possess a firearm with your Oklahoma self-defense license issued by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in the state.

It is a shall-issue state, and the local sheriff in a county is in charge of the application process.

As long as you meet all the state requirements, you will get your license to carry.

For the purchase of firearms in the state, you do not need a permit, but you must complete the criminal record check, except you are buying from a private dealer.

The age requirement to apply for an Oklahoma self-defense license is twenty-one years old.

Is It Legal To Open Carry In Oklahoma?

Yes, you can open carry in Oklahoma if you are eighteen years old or more, without a federal or state restriction to make use of firearms.

Open Carry Gun Laws In Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a permissive open carry state. You do not need a state license or permit to open carry firearms as long as you are within the legal age.

Ammunition like restricted bullets are illegal in Oklahoma, but the state does not prohibit assault weapons as long as you register them and possess them in compliance with federal laws.

Oklahoma Open Gun Laws Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoNoYou do not need a state permit to conceal carry in Oklahoma.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoThere are no requirements for firearms registrations in the state.
Assault weapon for open carry.YesNoOklahoma gun laws do not restrict assault weapons, machine guns, and large capacity firearms in the state.
Magazine limitNoNoThere is no magazine limit for firearms in the state.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredThe state does not require any owner’s license for the use of firearms.
Red flag lawNoNoOklahoma statutes do not mention red flag laws or the issuance or extreme protection order in the state.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesOklahoma is a castle doctrine state, and you can stand your ground in dwelling places, private cars, and places of worship.
Background check for private dealersNoNoNo, it is not compulsory to undergo a criminal record background check in the state if you are buying your firearm from a private dealer.
PreemptionYesYesThe state government has authority over all gun laws within Oklahoma jurisdiction. However, there are local ordinances on firearm discharge in regional areas.
Concealed carry permit.YesYesYou can conceal carry with your Oklahoma self-defense license.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesYou can conceal carry in a private car as long as you are with your license. The state also accepts constitutional carry.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoOklahoma gun laws prohibit the possession of firearms in elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Oklahoma?

Open carry and possession of firearms in Oklahoma is not unlawful in the following areas of the state:

  • Restaurants and bars: You can open carry in restaurant areas as long as you are not under the influence, or there is no post prohibiting the possession of firearms.
  • Private vehicles: You can open carry in private cars of the state.
  • Roadside areas: You can open carry along roadsides in Oklahoma.
  • State parks and forests: You can open carry in parks and forest areas of the state.
  • Places of worship: Oklahoma gun laws do not prohibit the possession of firearms in places of worship. However, if there is a post or the management does not permit it, you cannot possess your firearm there.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Oklahoma?

Oklahoma gun laws prohibit the open carry and possession of firearms in the following locations:

  • Schools: You cannot open carry in any elementary or secondary school, colleges, universities in the state, or their facilities.
  • Public buildings: You cannot open carry in any building that is owned by the federal government, state government, or any Oklahoma political subdivision, where the public carries out business activities.
  • Officials’ meeting: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in any meeting organized by elected officials in the state.
  • Courthouses: You cannot open carry or possess firearms in courthouses and a courtroom.
  • Professional sport event: You cannot open carry in any arena or event organized for professionals.
  • Gamble locations: You cannot possess firearms in any place that Oklahoma state licenses for gambling activities, except if you have the permission of the management to do so.
  • Prisons: You cannot open carry in any of the state prisons, jails, or detention facilities.
  • Bars: You cannot open carry in bars areas of a venture or any other place in the state where the sale of alcohol is the primary business purpose.
  • Under the influence of alcohol: You cannot open carry firearms in any part of Oklahoma, while you are under the influence of alcohol.
  • Private properties: You cannot open carry in any private building, property, or organization that prohibits the possession of firearms within its premises.
  • Prohibited areas: You cannot open carry in any part of the state prohibited by federal laws of the country.

FAQs About Open Carry Oklahoma

Frequently asked questions about open carry in Oklahoma include the following:

Is It Compulsory That I Get A Permit Before Open Carry In Oklahoma?

No. You do not need a permit before you open carry in the state.

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry In Oklahoma?

Yes. Oklahoma issues self-defense licenses to conceal carry in the state.

What Is The Age Requirement For Open Carry In Oklahoma?

You must be at least eighteen years old before you open carry in Oklahoma.

What Is The Age Requirement For Concealed Carry In Oklahoma?

You can conceal carry in Oklahoma if you are at least twenty-one years old, or eighteen years old for members of the military.

At What Age Can I Apply For Oklahoma Self-defense License?

The age requirement for the license application is twenty-one years old.

Is Oklahoma A Red Flag Law?

No. The state statutes do not say anything about red flags or extreme risk protection orders.

Can Non-residents Apply For Oklahoma Self-defense License?

No. The state only issues licenses to residents and members of the military with their spouses.

However, Oklahoma accepts permits from every other state in the country, so residents from these state can make use of their firearms in Oklahoma with these permits

Is Oklahoma A Constitutional Carry State?

Yes. Constitutional carry in Oklahoma took effect from the first of November in year twenty-nineteen.

Can I Open Carry Knives In Oklahoma?

You can own any type of knife in Oklahoma, as long as you are using the knife for self-defense, fishing, hunting, or any other recreational reason.

However, the state prohibits the possession of knives and other types of weapons in the same locations where firearms are restricted.

Does Oklahoma Restrict The Use Of Firearms In The State?

Oklahoma gun statutes do not prohibit the use of machine guns, large-capacity guns, or any other assault weapon in the state, except the law prohibiting convicted felons and delinquents.

Do I Need A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In Oklahoma?

No. Oklahoma does not issue a purchase permit for the use of firearms in the state.

Must I Undergo A Criminal Record Background Check Before purchasing Firearms In Oklahoma?

Yes. If you are buying your firearm from a state or federally licensed dealer, then you must complete the criminal record background check.

The only exception to this is if you are buying from private dealers, or during the transfer of firearms between family members.

Note that even if you have the state self-defense license before buying a firearm, you must still undergo the criminal record background check before completing the sales.

How Long Will It Take To Process My Oklahoma Self-defense License?

It takes a total of at least ninety days to process the license finally.

For How Long Is Oklahoma Self-defense License Valid?

Your license is valid for five years, after which you have to apply for a renewal.

When Can I Apply For A Renewal Self-defense License In Oklahoma?

You can begin a renewal application ninety days before your license expires.

Do I Have A Duty To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About My Possession Of Firearms In Oklahoma?

No, you do not have any obligation to inform a law enforcement officer about your firearm, except if the officer asks you.

Is Oklahoma A Castle Doctrine State?

Yes, you have a duty to stand your ground in the face of an attack in your dwelling place, private car, or a place of worship.

Can I Use Deadly Force While Carrying Out Self-defense In Oklahoma?

Yes. You can make use of deadly force if you think that an attack can lead to imminent death or severe bodily harm.

The state will provide immunity against civil liability for deadly force while carrying out self-defense.

Must I Undergo Firearm Training Before Applying For Oklahoma Self-defense License?

Yes, you must obtain a firearm training certificate before you apply for the Oklahoma self-defense license.

The training must be state-approved and conducted by a licensed instructor in the state.

What Is The Age Requirement To Buy Firearms In Oklahoma?

You must be at least eighteen years old to buy and possess firearms in the state.

Is Registration Of Firearms Compulsory After Firearm Purchase In Oklahoma?

No, the state gun statutes do not say anything about registration of firearms after purchase.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Oklahoma

Some of Oklahoma gun laws related to open carry in the state include the following:

Ammunition Restrictions

Oklahoma prohibits the possession or usage of any restricted bullet in the state.

A restricted bullet, as defined by the state gun laws, is any missile with less than sixty percent lead, coated with fluorocarbon, and travels at a very high speed such that it can penetrate armor.

The state also prohibits any firearm that can carry ammunition larger than .45 calibers.

No Weapon Signs

You must obey any “no weapon posts” in the state and keep your firearm away while entering such premises.

Furthermore, if requested to leave any private property and you refuse to do so, you can face a misdemeanor prosecution where you have to pay a fine, face a jail term, or serve both punishments.

Preemption Laws

Oklahoma is a preemption gun law state, and the state owns all authority to regulate all acts concerning the use of firearms within its jurisdiction.

However, local municipalities can regulate the firing of guns within their areas of control.

Brandishing Of Firearms

In Oklahoma, it is illegal to misuse a firearm by pointing it, whether loaded or unloaded, to scare, threaten physical injury, or just for humor’s sake.

It is also unlawful for anyone to recklessly use a firearm in a situation that will cause undue risk, lead to death, or without consideration of the other person’s safety.

The only exception to this law is during self-defense or legal use of a firearm by law enforcement agencies.

Possession Of Firearm Under The Influence

Oklahoma gun laws prohibit the possession of firearms while under the influence of beer or any other alcoholic liquor.

This also includes the illegal use of medications or any drug prescribed by a practitioner but has side effects leading to mental, emotional, or physical imbalance.

Open Carry While Hunting In Oklahoma

It is lawful to open carry while hunting in Oklahoma. Still, if you conceal carry, you must notify law enforcement officers or game wardens you come in contact with about your possession of firearms.

You can also conceal carry while bow hunting in federal or state lands, but you cannot use the firearm to take down deer during this session.

Oklahoma has hunter harassment laws to protect the act in the state.

Nobody shall deliberately interfere or prevent any hunting activity in the state that involves fishing, trapping, or shooting.  

Additional Resources

Oklahoma Gun Laws
Oklahoma Concealed Carry Laws
Oklahoma Gun Permit Laws

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