Oklahoma has taken a bold step in affirming Second Amendment rights by enacting a new law that allows gun owners to brandish or verbally declare possession of a firearm to defend their property. Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2818 into law Thursday, and the measure took effect immediately.

The bill, known as the “defensive display” law, expands the definition of lawful firearm use in the Sooner State, giving residents greater freedom to deter threats without having to fire a shot. The law makes it clear that Oklahomans can now openly indicate they’re armed in order to stop property crimes before they escalate.

According to the bill’s language, a “defensive display” includes:

• Telling someone you have a gun—for example, saying “I’ve got a gun.”
• Exposing or displaying the firearm in a way that signals you are prepared to protect yourself or your property.
• Placing your hand on a weapon while it remains secured in a pocket, purse, holster, sling, or other carrying method.

Supporters argue that this approach empowers law-abiding citizens to prevent criminal activity without being forced into a violent confrontation. By legally authorizing a non-lethal response, they say Oklahoma is giving gun owners a vital tool in protecting their homes, businesses, and families.

“Sometimes just the presence of a firearm is enough to de-escalate a dangerous situation,” one Oklahoma gun rights advocate told Breitbart News. “This law ensures people don’t have to wait until they’re being physically attacked to act.”

The new law builds on Oklahoma’s existing constitutional carry framework. Back in 2019, Governor Stitt signed legislation making Oklahoma the 15th state in the country to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms without a permit. At the time, he emphasized that the law aligned with what he heard across all 77 counties: Oklahomans wanted their gun rights protected.

“I think the best defense for a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” Stitt said then—a principle this latest measure reinforces.

Critics of HB 2818 have raised concerns that the law could lead to more misunderstandings or conflicts, especially in public spaces. But supporters argue the law is narrowly focused on protecting property and does not authorize reckless behavior. The law still requires that any display of a firearm be done in a way a “reasonable person” would interpret as a deterrent to unlawful force—not intimidation or provocation.

The Oklahoma law also mirrors legislative efforts in other Republican-led states to empower citizens against rising property crime and government overreach. With looting, theft, and vandalism becoming increasingly common across the country, many conservatives see laws like HB 2818 as common-sense measures that restore balance and deter lawlessness.

Second Amendment groups are applauding the move, calling it a major win for gun owners’ rights. Organizations like Gun Owners of America and grassroots activists have pushed for similar laws across the country to give gun owners more legal protections when defending their homes and livelihoods.

As crime continues to plague cities across the nation—and with federal efforts to chip away at gun rights still looming—conservative states like Oklahoma are making it clear they won’t wait for Washington to act. Instead, they’re standing up for their citizens’ rights to protect themselves, their families, and their property—with the full backing of the law.