In Oklahoma, lawmakers are considering new legislation that could impact both gun manufacturers and local dairy farmers. Representative David Hardin, a Republican from Stilwell, has put forward two bills: one aiming to extend liability protections for firearm manufacturers and another designed to loosen the regulations surrounding the sale of raw milk. According to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, these bills are set to be reviewed in the upcoming legislative session.
House Bill 2960 is looking to widen the shield for businesses involved with firearms; this includes manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of firearm components, and the bill specifically states these entities should not bear legal responsibility for mishaps, injuries, or damages caused by misuse or unauthorized modifications to their products after the sale. "Oklahoma law already recognizes that manufacturers should not be punished for the criminal actions of someone else," Hardin stated, signaling an effort to "close a loophole by ensuring those same protections apply to firearm components."
On the agriculture front, House Bill 3056 seeks to revamp the Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, largely by removing the current barriers on raw milk transactions, this bill intends to eliminate volume restrictions and clarify that farmers can directly sell unpasteurized milk to consumers in several venues, including farms, farmers markets, feed stores, and restaurants, and even extends to permitting delivery services from the farm itself. Hardin said, "This legislation supports Oklahoma agriculture and respects consumers' freedom to choose," explaining that farmers and consumers should be able to engage in commerce without undue governmental hurdles, as per the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Both HB2960 and HB3056 are poised for debate and potential passage during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, convening on Feb. 2 as Oklahoma's representatives gather to deliberate on these and other issues facing the state. While the impact of these bills won't be known until they've been fully debated, discussed, and potentially enforced, it's clear that they represent a significant push towards deregulation and protections in their respective industries, and it appears the conversation around both firearms and food safety regulations will be robust among Oklahoma's policymakers in the coming weeks.
