Wagoner City Council to vote on allowing guns in city buildings

Wagoner city councilors could vote Monday on an ordinance that would allow them to carry guns inside city buildings and during council meetings.

It’s permitted under a recently passed state law, and one councilor is in favor of it. However, others believe it’s not safe.

A sticker on the front door of the Wagoner city building informs visitors that guns are not allowed inside. But that rule could change for some in town if City Councilman Patrick Sampson gets his way.

He plans to introduce a new ordinance that would allow elected officials, like himself, to carry guns inside city buildings and during council meetings.

"I feel like elected officials should be able to protect themselves and others while in council meetings as well as outside of it," Sampson said.

He says Wagoner would become the first city to adopt a rule like this.

He explains that it’s possible because of the Municipal Carry Act, signed into law this year. The law gives cities the authority to allow elected officials and city employees to bring guns into some government buildings.

"We are a constitutional carry state anyway, so anyone can open carry," Sampson said. "I believe this right here kind of falls in line with protecting people within the confines of our city council meetings."

Sampson feels strongly about this issue because he says he had a close call with his son during the Saint Francis mass shooting in 2022. He also points to attacks on elected officials, like the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers earlier this summer.

"Being an elected official, it's a thankless job," he said. "We do have a duty to do, and we're going to do that, but no one should be threatened because of the job they're in."

The ordinance is expected to be brought up and potentially even voted on during the August 4 city council meeting.

A group called Moms Demand Action is against the proposal.

The group argues that allowing elected officials or city employees to bring guns into public buildings is reckless and dangerous. They believe city leaders should focus on making the state safer instead of bringing more guns into public places.