The Press Statements You'll Never Hear -
| One of the few things less honorable than political pandering might be dishonest pandering which turns out to be more of a betrayal than anything. Several Oklahoma advocates of the 2nd Amendment and self defense protections were feeling a surreal uneasiness when the legislature appeared to be discovering a passion for the Federal Bill of Rights; particularly the 2nd amendment's declaration that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. In the last week of the legislature's calendar, Senator Nathan Dahm's bill to allow Oklahomans the same self defense rights that Oklahoma gives to visitors from 12 other states. Namely, to move about freely in our own state while carrying firearms. We honor those visitors' constitutional carry rights because their own state deems all of them due that right by the very words of our US Constitution. Oklahoma, however; have some key lawmakers who don't believe our own citizens are due those rights. So with one more day of business to deal with, the Senate leadership decided to allow Senator Dahm to present his bill. Amazingly, he prevailed by a very large margin. Several senators who said previously that they can't support his bill, suddenly did! The belief is that they were given assurances that it would be vetoed after they ended the session & went home. |  Don't expect these 3 state leaders to take live questioning from Oklahoma 2nd Amendment advocates. |
Public Officials Always Publish Disgraceful News On Friday Afternoons.
So by a 33-9 vote, the measure went to the governor. Senator Dahm then heard his senate leadership say the next day that the session is about to end. Dahm encouraged President Pro Temp, Schultz to simply adjourn to the call of the gavel and waite 6 more days to declare the session over (Sine Die).
The reason for that move is because the constitution gives the governor only 5 days to act on a bill while the legislature is in session, or the bill on her desk becomes law. But after the legislature ends their session, the governor has broad new powers to let bills lay dormant for 15 days and any bill she doesn't sign is automatically vetoed.
What's even more disappointing is that the legislature permanently loses the power to override the governor's veto. But many of Fallin's critics say that was the plan all along.
Senator Dahm pressed his own senate leaders to wait, but he says those same leaders blamed the House leadership for refusing the request. Speaker McCall has not made a public statement denying this point. Folks will have to decide who's pulling a slick deception here.
The net result is that many senators and house members who were distrusted by gun rights advocates now have a roll call vote saying they now support this constitutional issue. they are all saying "Awe Shucks!" in unison, and we really don't have a reliable record to look to, because what might be the lame duck governor, willing to prop up what might be dishonest pandering.
The reason for that move is because the constitution gives the governor only 5 days to act on a bill while the legislature is in session, or the bill on her desk becomes law. But after the legislature ends their session, the governor has broad new powers to let bills lay dormant for 15 days and any bill she doesn't sign is automatically vetoed.
What's even more disappointing is that the legislature permanently loses the power to override the governor's veto. But many of Fallin's critics say that was the plan all along.
Senator Dahm pressed his own senate leaders to wait, but he says those same leaders blamed the House leadership for refusing the request. Speaker McCall has not made a public statement denying this point. Folks will have to decide who's pulling a slick deception here.
The net result is that many senators and house members who were distrusted by gun rights advocates now have a roll call vote saying they now support this constitutional issue. they are all saying "Awe Shucks!" in unison, and we really don't have a reliable record to look to, because what might be the lame duck governor, willing to prop up what might be dishonest pandering.
