A day after Governor Mary Fallin issued a surprising veto of legislation that would have eliminated arbitrary decisions by some law-enforcement officers regarding the issuance of certain firearm transfers, the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted 83 to 3 to override her action. On Tuesday, April 29, Gov. Fallin vetoed House Bill 2461, which codifies a "shall sign" requirement that a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) sign off on an application to transfer an item regulated by the National Firearms Act, including short barreled rifles/shotguns and suppressors, within 15 days, as long as the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving the item.
HB 2461, a high-priority measure supported by the National Rifle Association and other pro-Second Amendment organizations, previously passed both houses in near-unanimous fashion—with votes of 92 -1 in the House and 46 - 0 in the Senate.
In recent weeks, 'Shall Sign' legislation became law in four states. Governor Gary Herbert signed House Bill 373 into law April 2, making Utah the first state this session to pass this type of legislation. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear of Kentucky signed House Bill 128 into law April 11, an omnibus bill that included 'Shall Sign' language from Senate Bill 232. Finally, on April 23, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed House Bill 2578 and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed House Bill 2535.
On May 1, OklahomaWatchdog.org reported that Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa) had not announced his intent to schedule an override vote in the upper chamber.
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