Active military personnel, members of the Reserve, and members of the National Guard who are 21 and older may now carry concealed or unconcealed handguns without a handgun permit. This includes members of the Guard and Reserve on drill status, Active Guard Reserves, and Military Technicians. The military ID card is considered a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act.
SB 35 modified 21 OS §§ 1290.8, 1290.12, 1290.15, and 1290.26. It went into effect November 1, 2017. Succinctly, a member of any branch of the military in any military status does not have to take the training course.
What happens if you are arrested for violating Oklahoma’s law requiring the possession of a handgun license
A violation of this law is a misdemeanor. The maximum punishment for the first violation is in 30 days in the county jail, and the range of fine is $100–$250. On the second and subsequent violation, the range of punishment in the county jail is 30 days–3 months, and the range of fine is $250–$500.
Any second or subsequent violation of 21 O.S. § 1290.8 is grounds for the OSBI to suspend the handgun license for a period of six months. This is addition to any other penalty imposed.
Requirements to identify that you’re in possession of a concealed or unconcealed handgun in Oklahoma
It’s illegal to fail or refuse to identify the fact that you are in actual possession of a concealed or unconcealed handgun pursuant to the authority of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act when you come into contact with any law enforcement officer during the course of any arrest, detainment, or routine traffic stop. The identification to the law enforcement officer must be made at the first opportunity. You are not required to identify yourself as a handgun licensee when no handgun is in your possession or in any vehicle in which you are driving or are a passenger. A violation of this provision misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $100, and the maximum punishment in the county jail is one year.
Any law enforcement officer who comes in contact with a person whose handgun license is suspended, revoked, or expired, or who is in possession of a handgun license that has not been lawfully issued to that person, must confiscate the license and return it to the OSBI for appropriate administrative proceedings against the licensee when the license is no longer needed as evidence in any criminal proceeding.
For more information on the requirements to carry a handgun in Oklahoma, check out my page detailing Oklahoma’s requirements to carry a handgun.
Sources: SB 35, 21 OS § 1290.8, 21 OS § 1290.12, 21 OS § 1290.15, & 21 OS § 1290.26