Oklahoma Gun Control Laws

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Jeff Burtka, Esq. | Last reviewed June 08, 2021

Each state restricts the purchase and use of firearms under its own gun control laws. Although the Second Amendment permits citizens to keep and bear arms, certain weapons and accessories, like sawed-off shotguns, are illegal under Oklahoma law.

The state imposes no waiting period for prospective gun buyers, but they must be of the legal age to purchase and can't have a felony conviction on their record.

Federal firearms statutes also regulate gun ownership, generally by restricting the kinds of guns a person may legally own.

Oklahoma Gun Laws Overview

The following table summarizes Oklahoma's gun laws.

Relevant Statutes (Laws)	Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Part VI, Chapter 53, Sections 1271.1 through 1290.27 Unlawful carry - Section 1272 Unlawful carry in certain places - Section 1277 Possession of a firearm on school property - Section 1280.1 Convicted felons and delinquents - Section 1283 Conditions under which firearms may be carried - Section 1289.6 Firearms in vehicles - Section 1289.7 Definitions - Section 1289.18 Authority to issue license - Section 1290.3 Eligibility - Section 1290.9 Mandatory preclusions - Section 1290.10 Other preclusions - Section 1290.11
Illegal Arms	Oklahoma prohibits the possession of sawed-off shotguns and sawed-off rifles.
Waiting Period	Oklahoma does not have a waiting period to purchase a gun.
Who May Not Own	In Oklahoma, it is unlawful to possess a firearm if a person: Has been convicted of any felony Has been previously adjudicated as a delinquent child or a youthful offender for an act that would be a felony offense if committed by an adult Is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States
License Required?	A license is not required to own or purchase a gun in Oklahoma.
Concealed Carry License Required?	If a person is at least 21 years old and may legally purchase and possess a firearm, they do not need a permit to carry a concealed firearm.
Open Carried Allowed?	If a person is at least 21 years old and may legally purchase and possess a firearm, they do not need a permit to open carry a firearm.
Eligibility for a Concealed Carry License	A handgun license is not required in Oklahoma, but the state offers a license for people who wish to carry a firearm in other states. To be eligible for a handgun license, a person must: Be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States with established residency in Oklahoma Be at least 21 years of age or 18 years of age and a member of the military Complete a firearms safety and training course and demonstrate competence and qualifications with the type of gun to be carried Not be ineligible to possess a pistol due to any felony conviction or adjudication as a delinquent Not have been adjudicated as a mentally incompetent person Not make any false or misleading statement on the application for a handgun license Not have a conviction for certain assault and battery misdemeanor offenses, stalking, violation of a protective order, or domestic violence misdemeanors Not have attempted suicide or any other condition relating to, or indicating, mental instability or an unsound mind which occurred within the preceding 10-year period from the date of the application Not currently be undergoing treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder Not have significant character defects as evidenced by a criminal record indicating habitual criminal activity Not be ineligible to possess a pistol under Oklahoma or federal law Not have an outstanding felony warrant Not have an arrest for an alleged commission of a felony offense Not have a deferred sentence or deferred prosecution of a felony offense Not have any involuntary commitment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder Not have previously undergone treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder which required medication or supervision Not have received inpatient treatment for substance abuse Not have two or more convictions of public intoxication Not have two or more misdemeanor convictions relating to intoxication or driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance or alcohol Not have a court order for a final Victim Protection Order against the applicant Not have an adjudicated delinquent or convicted felon residing in the residence of the applicant Not have an arrest for an alleged commission of, a charge pending for, or a deferred prosecution for certain assault and battery misdemeanor offenses, stalking, violation of a protective order, or domestic violence misdemeanors
Machine Gun Laws	Oklahoma prohibits a person convicted of a felony, or a person adjudicated delinquent for an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult, from possessing a machine gun. Oklahoma has no general prohibition against possessing a machine gun, but federal law outlaws machine gun possession with limited exceptions.
Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession	The punishment for violating Oklahoma's gun laws depends on the offense. The following are common offenses and their penalties: Unlawful carrying of a firearm is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment and by a fine of $100 to $250 A second or subsequent offense for unlawful carrying of a firearm is a misdemeanor punishable by 30 days to 3 months imprisonment and a fine of $250 to $500 Possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony is a felony punishable by imprisonment for 1 to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000 Possessing a sawed-off shotgun or a sawed-off rifle is a felony punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000
Penalties for Illegal Possession on or Near School Grounds	Illegal possession of a gun on school grounds is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250.

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.