With a stroke of the governor's pen, Oklahoma has taken a definitive stance on gun rights and the businesses that facilitate them. The newly signed Senate Bill 500 mandates that Oklahoma will not grant state contracts to any company that is perceived to discriminate against firearm companies or associations. The bill, first proposed by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, aims to ensure that the state's economic partnerships reflect its constitutional commitments.
Senator Murdock has been a stalwart advocate for the Second Amendment, and his efforts reached fruition with the enactment of this bill. "Oklahoma proudly defends the Second Amendment and the businesses that support it," Murdock said, according to an announcement from the Oklahoma State Senate.
Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, principal House author of SB 500, recognizes the significant influence the firearms industry has in the state. "Oklahomans overwhelmingly value the right to bear arms, and our state benefits greatly from the firearms industry," West stated, expressing confidence that the measure is in the best interests of the state's economic and constitutional health, as reported by the Oklahoma State Senate.
The implications of SB 500 are extensive, barring state entities from doing business with companies that lack explicit assurance of neutrality towards firearm entities. This includes a clause insisting on written verification that the company does not have a practice, policy, or directive against firearm entities or associations. However, the bill does carve out an exception for small businesses; those valued under $100,000 with fewer than 10 employees are not subjected to this new mandate.
