In Oklahoma, carrying a gun without a permit is legal, but there are certain limitations. Due to recent changes, many residents are confused about what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to carrying a gun without a permit. If you’ve been stopped or arrested in Tulsa for carrying a weapon, it’s important to understand how Oklahoma’s “constitutional carry” law applies and when it doesn’t. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of firearm carry laws in Tulsa and explain what legal consequences you could face if you’re caught carrying without proper authority.
Permit less Carry in Oklahoma: The Basics
As of November 1, 2019, carrying a gun without a Permit in Oklahoma is the law. The new law allows most adults to carry a firearm—openly or concealed—without a permit. This is known as constitutional carry and applies statewide, including in Tulsa. However, the law comes with important restrictions and exceptions.
Carrying a gun Without a Permit legally in Oklahoma, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old, or 18 if in the military (active duty, reserve, or National Guard)
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Not have any felony convictions
- Not be subject to any protective orders
- Not have a history of mental illness or drug/alcohol abuse that would make you ineligible to possess a gun under federal law
If you meet these requirements, you may carry a handgun without a license. However, if you’re caught carrying and don’t meet these standards—or if you’re carrying in a prohibited area—you can face serious consequences.
Where You Can—and Can’t—Carry Without a Permit
Even under constitutional carry, there are still many locations where firearms are prohibited, whether you have a permit or not. These include:
- Government buildings (courthouses, police stations)
- Schools and school zones
- Bars or restaurants that primarily serve alcohol
- Private property where firearms are banned (if signs are posted or you’ve been personally told)
- Sporting events, unless otherwise allowed
- Jails and detention facilities
If you carry a firearm into one of these places, you could face misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the location and your criminal history.
What Happens If You’re Caught Carrying Illegally in Tulsa?
If you’re found carrying a gun and don’t qualify under the constitutional carry law, or if you’re carrying in a prohibited area, you may be arrested and charged with unlawful carry of a firearm under 21 O.S. § 1272.
Depending on the facts of your case, you could face:
- A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $500
- A felony, if you’re a convicted felon or the weapon is carried with criminal intent
- Weapon forfeiture, meaning the gun may be seized and not returned
You may also lose your right to carry in the future, even under Oklahoma’s lenient laws.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
If you’ve been arrested or cited for carrying a gun without a permit or in a restricted area, don’t assume your case is open and shut. A qualified Tulsa criminal defense attorney can review whether:
- Your stop and search were lawful
- You actually violated the carry law
- You had a legal defense (e.g., you were transporting the weapon, not carrying it)
- Your rights under state or federal law were violated
In some cases, charges may be dismissed, reduced, or diverted into a program that avoids jail time and a permanent criminal record.
Talk With a Tulsa Criminal Lawyer – Know Your Rights
While Oklahoma’s law makes it legal for those carrying a gun without a Permit, this open carry law does not give you the right to carry a weapon anywhere, at any time, or under any circumstance. If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible or whether a location is off-limits, it’s worth checking the law—or speaking with an attorney—before you end up on the wrong side of it. For a free and confidential consultation with an attorney from Tulsa Criminal Lawyers Law Firm, call 918-416-0358. Or you can ask an online legal question by following this legal link.