Lawmaker takes gun to state Capitol, okay in OK

An Oklahoma lawmaker began taking his gun with him to his office in the Capitol after receiving threatening phone calls concerning his position on making English the state's official language. Colleagues do not see a need to bring a gun to the Capitol.

Oklahoma Representative Mike Christian (R-Oklahoma City) told the Tulsa World that he "carries a gun into the Capitol 'on occasion.'" Carrying a weapon in the Capitol is prohibited by law under most circumstances. However, according to the Tulsa World, "exceptions exist for active and retired law enforcement officers." In this instance, Rep. Christian is a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper. Christian was injured on the job and retired after 10 years of service. Rep. Christian told the Tulsa World that he:

started carrying a weapon after he received threatening phone calls at home after speaking in a committee meeting last session regarding a bill to make English the state's official language.

After arriving at his office in the state Capitol building in Oklahoma City, Christian locks his gun in a cabinet. Christian's colleagues do not think there is a need to carry a gun in the Capitol. Rep. Paul Roan (D-Tishomingo) is also retired from Oklahoma Highway Patrol after serving 24 hears. Roan told the Tulsa World:

I chose not to do it. I don't think I should be treated any different than anybody else going into the Capitol. I think the only people who need to have a weapon inside the Capitol are those there guarding it.

Retired OHP trooper Rep. Glen Bud Smithson concurs with Roan. Smithson was quoted as saying, "I feel safe enough, to be quite honest with you. We have worlds of security in the Capitol." The Oklahoma Senate has a rule on the subject of firearms, which states that "firearms and weapons are not allowed on the Senate floor, in the gallery or in the Senate area without permission from the chief of staff." The House, however, has not promulgated a similar rule. Rather, the House Speaker has "explicitly discouraged members from carrying weapons onto the floor" Jennifer Monies, a spokewoman for the House Speaker told the Tulsa World.