Firearms; expanding certain eligibility. Effective date.

SB 1698 amends Oklahoma law to allow 18- to 20-year-old members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard with an honorable discharge to carry firearms without meeting the standard 21-year-old age requirement. The bill updates eligibility rules for handgun licenses (Section 1290.9) and clarifies that these individuals may carry firearms under the same conditions as older residents, provided they are not otherwise disqualified by law. This change specifically targets military-affiliated youth and veterans, expanding their legal firearm rights while maintaining all other eligibility criteria. The law will take effect on November 1, 2026.