Oklahoma Senate Votes to Prohibit Employer Inquiry on Firearm Ownership

Fairfax, Va. – An overwhelming bi-partisan majority of Oklahoma lawmakers have decided to prohibit private employers from asking job applicants if they own a gun. Senate Bill 793, introduced by state Senator Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, passed in the state senate on a vote of 43-1 this week.

“The National Rifle Association wants to thank Senator Sykes for responding to this breach of privacy regarding our Second Amendment rights,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist. “Gun ownership should never be used as a litmus test for employment, and we look forward to this bill passing the House.”

Under the bill, an employer who asks any applicant for information regarding ownership or possession of a firearm could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or 90 days in jail. The bill was created in direct response to a lengthy employment questionnaire created by the Obama administration that asked applicants interested in working for the Obama team a number of questions regarding firearm ownership.

“We feel the Obama questionnaire, and any others like it, shows a bias against law-abiding gun owners. The President’s questionnaire did not ask similar questions about any other type of personal property. For example, applicants were not asked to list any cars they own, who drives the cars or what accidents the cars have been involved in -- even though far more deaths and injuries each year involve motor vehicles than involve firearms,” Cox explained. “We don’t want to see this type of prejudice towards firearms owners entering the equation when it comes to seeking employment.”

-NRA-

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.