Gov. Stitt responds to petition circulating to block permitless carry law

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Gov. Kevin Stitt's office released a statement Thursday in response to a petition circulating to block House Bill 2597 from going into law come Nov. 1.

Last week, state Rep. Jason Lowe started a petition because he doesn't think HB 2597, or "permitless carry," is right for the state of Oklahoma.

The petition would need more than 59,000 signatures by Aug. 29 to be put on the November 2020 ballot. Those signatures would allow a delay in House Bill 2597 taking effect until after the vote.

Stitt signed permitless carry into law in February. It was his first bill to sign into law as governor.

Baylee Lakey, communications directions for the governor's office, released a statement Thursday saying: “Oklahomans made their voices heard about their support for constitutional carry on the campaign trail and through the legislature's passage of SB 1212 and HB2597 this year. The governor supports the hard work and commitment of our legislators who listen to their constituents and implement legislation that reflects the will of the people."

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt signed the petition Wednesday.

Holt tweeted, "A vote settles a debate."

FOX 25 contacted Rep. Justin J.J. Humphrey, who has been pushing for the bill since it was vetoed by former Gov. Mary Fallin.

"I was excited it was first bill Gov. Stitt signed it into law," Humphrey said. "I believe overwhelmingly that Oklahoma is for that bill. I know overwhelming that my district is for that bill"

Humphrey said HB 2597 gives Oklahomans the opportunity to protect themselves.

"I believe we all have a right to protect ourselves," Humphrey said. "When you confront a person, an active shooter, that's when lives are saved. The quicker response time to engage that shooter, that's when lives are saved."

Humphrey said while he hopes permitless carry does not go to a vote, he believes there's a large possibility the petition could get enough signatures.

"I hate that this could be brought to a vote but let the people decide," Humphrey said. "I'm still confident Oklahoma will keep constitutional carry."

City Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon posted on Twitter she plans to introduce an item at Council next week to stop permitless carry in Oklahoma.

The tweet reads, "I am introducing an item at Council next week that, if passed, would express Council’s support of the veto referendum petition to halt permitless carry in our state."

"HB 2597 makes our communities less safe & makes cities even more powerless to have local control over where and how people can carry firearms," Hamon said.

The petition must reach nearly 60,000 signatures by Aug. 29 to send the bill to a vote on the 2020 ballot.