Senator Attempts to Disarm Sheriffs at Oklahoma State Capitol

Over 40 sheriffs walked out of the Oklahoma State Capitol this week after an unknown senator demanded they remove their firearms.

After entering the capitol for an annual meet and greet with legislators, the state’s sheriffs were confronted and given an ultimatum, disarm or leave the building.

“One of the senators, who they wouldn’t tell us, complained because we were armed in the building,” Wagoner county sheriff Bob Colbert told KTUL News.

According to Colbert, the senator not only refused to identify, but also ordered others in the capitol to relay the message.

“Everybody in that building knew who we were,” Colbert said.

After being given their options, all 40 sheriffs refused to comply with the senator’s demand and walked out of the building, firearms holstered.

“So we all packed up and left,” Colbert said. “Pretty sad day for me.”

Although several senators reached out to apologize to Colbert, the sheriff is still stunned at the events that played out.

“We’re the people that protect these people,” Colbert said.

Colbert argued that lawmakers should be far more concerned about issues such as the state’s finances than legal firearm holders.

“If the state troopers are satisfied that we’re ok in that building I’m pretty sure that the legislators should have something else to worry about such as the economy or something,” Colbert said.

While armed public servants may assume that they are out of the gun control agenda’s reach, the situation in Oklahoma clearly shows how far some are willing to go.

Just last year in Washington state, a city council meeting on gun rights experienced a similar incident as well. After speaking for several minutes, a military veteran was interrupted and asked to disarm by a lone city councilman. After his request was voted down 2-4, the councilman stormed out of the room.