Red States Gun “Freedom” Trend Continues

Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced two major pro-Second Amendment bills, House Bill 2818 and House Bill 1095, to Governor Kevin Stitt’s desk, marking another milestone in a growing red state trend. According to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, the bills passed both chambers of the state legislature on May 9, 2025, and now await the governor’s signature. These bills expand both self-defense rights and legal firearm carry options for municipal employees, continuing the state’s momentum toward broader gun freedoms.

HB 2818: Defensive Display and Castle Doctrine Reinforced

House Bill 2818, also known as the Private Property Protection Act, introduces significant updates to Oklahoma’s self-defense laws. It clarifies that pointing a firearm in self-defense, or in defense of one’s property or another person, is not a criminal offense. The bill replaces previous ambiguous language and explicitly defines legal self-defense scenarios, including defensive display of a firearm. As the Armed Attorneys explained in their recent video, this clarification is important for lawful gun owners. It spells out that your rights apply whether you’re in your home, at work, or even just visiting a property legally.

Expanded Definition of ‘Occupied Premises’

One of the most meaningful updates in HB 2818 is the addition of “occupied premises” as a protected location under Oklahoma’s use-of-force law. As Emily Taylor from the Armed Attorneys pointed out, this term means you’re protected in any building where you have permission to be, even if it’s not your home. It expands the Castle Doctrine beyond private residences and vehicles to include businesses, places of worship, and guest-accessed spaces. This change aligns with the real-life situations where defensive force might become necessary, like working late at a store or attending services in a church.

Shifting the Legal Burden in Self-Defense Cases

Richard Hayes, also of Armed Attorneys, raised an important point about a technical change buried in HB 2818: moving the “except in self-defense” clause into a separate section of the statute. This procedural tweak means the burden shifts to the defense to prove they acted in self-defense – an “affirmative defense.” Previously, prosecutors had to prove a crime wasn’t self-defense. This shift may seem small, but as Hayes noted, it changes how these cases are argued in court. It’s a subtle yet powerful reminder that even pro-gun laws must be drafted carefully.

HB 1095: The Municipal Carry Act Gives Cities More Flexibility

House Bill 1095, or the Municipal Carry Act, allows elected city officials and designated municipal employees to carry concealed firearms while performing their duties. It also gives local governments the power to opt out of some state-level firearm restrictions. This form of “reverse preemption,” as the Armed Attorneys described it, allows local authorities to grant more freedom, but not less than the state standard. That means cities can now decide for themselves whether to allow firearms in government buildings, parks, or other areas previously labeled as “sensitive places.”

Eroding the Concept of Gun-Free Zones

HB 1095 chips away at the long-standing idea of gun-free zones, particularly on public property. The bill opens the door for licensed individuals to carry on properties such as city parks, fairgrounds, and certain event areas unless a minimum-security perimeter is established. As reported in House Bill 1095’s legislative text, this includes metal fencing, controlled entry points, and metal detectors. Without such security, concealed carry becomes the default. It’s a clever workaround that emphasizes liberty over blanket restrictions.

Second Amendment Advocates Applaud the Effort

The NRA-ILA was quick to praise the Oklahoma legislature for passing both bills. The organization credited “NRA members and fellow Second Amendment advocates” for staying active and engaged. They also encouraged constituents to contact Governor Stitt directly and urge him to sign the bills into law. While Oklahoma already ranks among the most gun-friendly states, these bills could further entrench that reputation and offer a model for other conservative legislatures.

Firearms Law Modernization or Legal Minefield?

Opponents of this kind of legislation often warn of a patchwork legal system that’s hard to navigate. But Taylor and Hayes argue the opposite. They say laws like HB 1095 actually increase clarity by allowing local governments to expand freedom without being forced to follow a one-size-fits-all policy. Taylor called the approach “reverse preemption” and praised it as a tool for making communities “more free, should you choose to be.” It’s about options, not mandates.

Oklahoma’s Constitutional Carry Foundation

Both HB 2818 and HB 1095 are building on Oklahoma’s prior move to constitutional carry, passed in 2019. That law allowed residents 21 and older (or 18 for military personnel) to carry without a permit. As noted in the Armed Attorneys discussion, constitutional carry created new gray areas that required cleanup. These two bills are designed to clarify who can carry, where, and when defensive force is legally justified, even without a permit.

Legislating Incrementally, But Effectively

While these changes might not seem revolutionary at first glance, they matter. Taylor called them “incredibly important” and reminded viewers that even small legislative wins are hard to come by. “It’s not easy to get stuff done, y’all,” she said, pointing to the reality of how legislatures work. With more than half of U.S. states now recognizing permitless carry, these fine-tuning bills reflect the second wave of pro-gun reform: locking in rights, removing contradictions, and eliminating outdated penalties.

Governor Expected to Sign, But Vigilance Still Needed

Though Governor Kevin Stitt has voiced support for gun rights in the past, he hasn’t officially signed the bills as of this writing. According to Armed Attorneys, even if he doesn’t act, the bills will still become law under Oklahoma’s rules. Nevertheless, pro-gun groups are urging supporters to “keep their foot on the gas.” As Richard Hayes put it, too many people think the fight is over once major reforms pass. But gun rights, like any liberty, require constant defense.

Oklahoma Sets a Bold Example

Oklahoma’s legislative session offers a valuable lesson in what effective, pro-liberty policymaking looks like. These aren’t flashy headlines – no sweeping bans or dramatic rollbacks. But the details in HB 2818 and HB 1095 reflect thoughtful, real-world application of Second Amendment rights. From better definitions to flexible local governance, these bills address modern problems with traditional principles. Whether other red states follow Oklahoma’s lead remains to be seen, but this legislative session proves that the gun rights trend is far from slowing down.

Red States Are Not Done Yet

With HB 2818 and HB 1095 likely to become law, Oklahoma is pushing the next frontier in gun rights legislation: ensuring legal clarity and expanding lawful carry options without compromising safety. As more red states refine their laws post-constitutional carry, the focus is shifting from bold declarations to smart, structural changes. And Oklahoma, it seems, is leading the charge.