House Media Division
Only five state lawmakers received the National Rifle Association of America’s top rating.
Three Democrats – Senator Jerry Ellis and Reps. Joe Dorman and Eric Proctor – and two Republicans – Reps. Jason Murphey and John Enns – received the organization’s “A+ “ rating.
Dorman said is honored to be among the state’s most staunch supporters of Second Amendment rights.
“I’m honored to receive the highest rating possible by the NRA. I was raised by a dad who was a lifelong hunter who taught me the importance of firearm safety. I am thankful to be in a position to protect the rights of law-abiding Oklahomans to own and carry a firearm, whether it is for self-defense, hunting or even recreation,” said Dorman, D-Rush Springs. “I think the NRA and local Oklahoma Rifle Association are strong allies to those of us on the front lines of shaping Oklahoma gun policy.”
Enns said “irrational fears” were the driving force behind opposition to the “open carry” law that takes effect in November.
“It’s easy for people to fear change, especially when that change involves firearms,” said Enns, R-Enid. “We are not conducting an experiment in Oklahoma though. ‘Open carry’ laws can be found throughout the U.S. and they have no negative effect on public safety. I think we have finally joined these states in part due to the efforts of the NRA to educate those individuals with concerns about proposed policies. Bearing arms is our constitutional right and fear should not cause us to lose our right to bear arms.”
Proctor has the most urban district of the five lawmakers.
“The vast majority of my constituents support Second Amendment rights and believe, as Americans, we should have the right to defend ourselves and our families,” said Proctor, D-Tulsa. “I am honored to be recognized by the NRA as a voice for Second Amendment rights and look forward to working with them to defend our freedoms in the future.”
Murphey, who is also an advocate for lean, efficient government, said expanding gun rights reduces government’s footprint in our lives.
“I believe there our core functions of government that must be preserved, but that, in other areas, the less government, the better,” said Murphey, R-Guthrie. “I am very appreciative of the work the NRA does to keep government from infringeing on Second Amendment rights and the important transparency offered by their grading system.”
Ellis, the only “A+” member of the Oklahoma Senate, said he looks forward to the new law.
“It’s not so much that Oklahomans desperately need to carry our firearms openly. It’s that we don’t want to get into trouble with the law over an accidental exposure,” said Ellis, D-Valliant. “The state has no reason to bother law-abiding Oklahomans and the more we can do to open up gun laws, the better.”
Shannon Alford, Oklahoma state liaison for the NRA-ILA, explained how the five legislators earned their “A+” rating. She said a full list of legislative ratings are available at http://www.nrapvf.org/grades-endorsements/2012/oklahoma.aspx.
“These legislators have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support our Second Amendment rights and they have earned their ‘A+’ rating. They have consistently maintained their pro-gun voting records, and have been vigorous and outspoken in their defense of the rights of law-abiding Oklahoma citizens,” Alford said.
