MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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October 26, 2009

Lawmaker gets OK to bring gun to state Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A retired state trooper who now serves in the statehouse says he occasionally carries his gun to the Capitol after he received threatening phone calls at home.



Oklahoma law prohibits people — even those with valid concealed handgun licenses — from entering state buildings while armed. However, exceptions are in place for active and retired law enforcement officers, like Rep. Mike Christian, a Republican from Oklahoma City.



Christian says he locks his gun up in his office after he arrives. He says he carries his gun with him when he's driving through neighborhoods with high crime rates, and that he doesn't like to leave his gun in his vehicle.



But other legislators who are former law enforcement officers say there's no need to be armed at the Capitol.



Rep. Glen Bud Smithson, a former state trooper, says there are "worlds of security" in the Capitol.



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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com

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