17-05-2025
Oklahoma law sees changes for using weapons to protect property
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An Oklahoma law now makes it legally clear you can point or intimidate an individual with a weapon if you are defending your home, private property, or business.
Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2818 on Thursday, which went into effect immediately. Oklahoma already has 'stand your ground' laws when it comes to protecting your life, but language in the bill now expands to your property as well.
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'What this bill does is provide some clarity for where the Castle Doctrine is applied, and in this statute, thankfully signed by the governor two days ago, expands that boundary of our castle doctrine up to the edge of your property,' said Rep. Jay Steagall (R-Yukon), who authored the bill in an interview over the phone with News 4 Friday.
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Steagall said it's an effort that's been in the works for years, and was tentatively dubbed the 'Private Property Protection Act.' During debate on the Oklahoma House floor in March, Steagall used Oklahoma's constitutional right to bear arms in reference to the law's justification. He said the bill was drafted with help from the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, but at the time said he hadn't spoken with any law enforcement agencies or District Attorney's offices about potential implications of the bill.
'I think what the statute does is provide clarity for the court systems to help them determine what the actual boundary line is when it comes to our Castle Doctrine,' said Steagall.
Steagall faced hard questioning from Democrats in March, who questioned responsibilities for gun owners, how Oklahoma minors could interpret the law, and instances across the country where innocent people have been shot for knocking on doors or stepping into yards.
News 4 spoke with Rep. Michelle McCane (D-Tulsa) Friday, who voted against the bill.
'I don't think that a threat to your person and a threat to your property are the same type of thing,' said McCane.
McCane said Steagall never provided testimonial from Oklahomans who would benefit from the law, and that she was also troubled by Steagall saying he hadn't met with agencies who would potentially have to deal with the aftermath.
'It was just a punishment bill,' said McCane. 'I'd like to try to avoid just adding on punishments without having the conversations about all of the people and ways that it might have a negative impact.'
Steagall argued Oklahomans will still be in trouble for pointing a weapon as a joke or even out of anger, like in cases of road rage. He sees the opposition as blatantly targeting constitutional rights.
'Those that do not support our self-defense rights are going to push back against the bill like this in many ways, but our charge as elected officials is simple and that's to support and obey and defend the constitution, which is actually what this bill does,' said Steagall.
McCane said she doesn't see the issue as one side versus the other, arguing Democrats in Oklahoma have weapons as well.
'I think that this idea that people that are Democrats or are more on the left don't like guns is bizarre,' said McCane.
Steagall says even with the law given the go-ahead, he's always going to encourage Oklahomans who think they or their property is in danger to call police first. He argues there are rare instances though where that just can't happen fast enough.
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