Republican candidate for Oklahoma Attorney General Jon Echols has received the Defender of Freedom Award from the National Rifle Association. The award recognizes his work supporting Second Amendment rights during his time in the Oklahoma Legislature.
The award was presented by NRA First Vice President and Oklahoma Rifle Association President Mark Vaughan, who credited Echols with leading the effort to pass Oklahoma’s constitutional carry law.
“Jon Echols is a proven defender of our 2nd Amendment and has earned this award for his tireless efforts in the Oklahoma Legislature,” Vaughan said. “Jon was the leading voice that got constitutional carry passed in Oklahoma and he has shown time and again that his support for our freedom isn’t just rhetoric; it is backed by action.”
Echols served 12 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and was Majority Floor Leader in 2019, when he sponsored the legislation that established constitutional carry in Oklahoma. The law allows most adults to carry a handgun without a permit.
During his time in the Legislature, Echols maintained an A+ rating from the NRA.
Kevin Wallace, vice president of the Oklahoma Rifle Association, said Echols built a strong record supporting gun rights during his legislative career.
“Jon Echols is the real deal when it comes to our 2nd Amendment rights,” Wallace said. “Very few have led with the dedication and commitment on this issue that Jon has, and he has achieved real wins.”
Echols said he was honored to receive the award and pointed to his legislative record defending gun rights.
“I am truly honored to receive this award, and it was an honor to fight for Oklahoman’s 2nd Amendment rights in the legislature,” Echols said. “I am running for Attorney General to continue my fight to secure your liberties and protect the Oklahoma way of life.”
