Oklahoma Voters Have Opportunity to Establish National Model for Right to Hunt and Fish

Fairfax, VA - This November 4, ballots in Oklahoma will include State Question 742, giving voters the choice to permanently preserve the Right to Hunt and Fish in the Oklahoma State Constitution.

“Oklahomans have the opportunity to lead the way in preserving America’s rich hunting heritage,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. “Question 742 will provide sportsmen a permanent defense against attacks from radical, well-funded anti-hunting zealots who want to eliminate hunting and fishing throughout the country.”

The language approved by the Legislature for the constitutional amendment is the most meaningful and comprehensive ever offered on a state ballot. Oklahoma is blazing the trail for sportsmen in virtually every other state with this amendment.

Some observers have questioned the need for this protection, but the painful experiences of hunters in Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, California and Colorado demonstrate the folly of waiting for an attack on hunting and fishing. Such as approach is a losing strategy, tantamount to a concession of our rights. Ballot measures and policies pushed by well-funded, aggressive anti-hunting proponents have eliminated bear, cougar and even dove hunting in these states because hunters waited too long to respond.

“On behalf of hunters and shooters in Oklahoma, I’d like to thank Senator Coffee, R - Oklahoma City, and Representative Terrill, R-Moore, for their proactive discretion and persistence in bringing to light the importance of preserving our right to hunt and fish,” concluded Cox. “I urge every gun owner and NRA member in Oklahoma to vote ‘Yes’ on State Question 742 and place the Right to Hunt and Fish in Oklahoma's State Constitution.”

-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.