Senate OKs plan for vote on gun laws despite opposition

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Senate has approved a resolution for a public vote to broaden gun rights despite opposition from the state’s business community, including the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Senate voted 39-7 Thursday for the bill, but agreed to send it to a conference committee for further revisions and it’s unclear if it will return for a final vote during the legislative session.

The resolution seeks a public vote on amending the Oklahoma Constitution to make it more difficult for the Legislature to regulate firearms and to prohibit laws requiring registration or special taxation of firearms or ammunition.

Opponents say a requirement that Oklahoma gun laws be subject to "strict scrutiny" could repeal existing firearms bans, such as those at schools and arenas.