Communications & Public Affairs
March 7, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Andy Fugate
(405) 557-7370 andy.fugate@okhouse.gov

STATEMENT: Fugate Speaks Up on Silencer Legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, released the following statement in response to House Bill 2982 that passed off the House floor Monday.

House Bill 2982 establishes that a firearm suppressor manufactured in Oklahoma and stays in Oklahoma is not subject to federal law or federal regulation.

“In 2012, Kansas passed their Second Amendment Protection Act. The act said firearms and accessories produced and sold within Kansas were not subject to federal firearms laws.

“Believing this was true, a firearms dealer named Shane Cox sold an unregistered suppressor to a U.S. Army veteran named Jeremy Kettler. Cox told Kettler the silencer was made in his Kansas shop and therefore didn’t need to be registered because federal law did not apply. Cox showed him the law passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed by the governor.

“The Kansas Legislature’s belief that state law would supersede federal law on this issue was tested in the Supreme Court. Today, both Kettler and Cox are convicted federal felons.

“Jeremy Kettler said the Kansas Legislature ‘set up Kansans to be prosecuted.’

“Oklahoma should learn from Kansas’ mistake and not set up well-meaning Oklahomans to be federal felons.”

To contact the office of Rep. Andy Fugate call (405) 557-7370 or email andy.fugate@okhouse.gov.

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