Wagoner council pauses vote on ordinance to allow elected officials to carry handguns in city facilities

The Wagoner City Council on Monday took no action on Ordinance No. 984, a proposed change to the city code that would have authorized elected officials who hold a valid handgun license to carry concealed handguns in city-owned buildings, except in courthouses, jails and other specifically excluded facilities. Instead of passing the ordinance, the council directed staff to form a committee to develop recommended revisions and return the matter for further consideration.

The proposal, introduced as an amendment to Title 10, Chapter 3, Section 10-306 of the Wagoner Code of Ordinances, was amended during the meeting to expressly require a valid handgun license “issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self Defense Act.” City attorneys noted that omission needed correction before any ordinance could be validly enacted.

Supporters of the ordinance said allowing the limited carrying by officials would improve safety. Don Spencer, president of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, framed the change as a safety measure and said similar measures had been adopted by some county governments without incident. “The no gun zone is the most dangerous place to be,” Spencer told the council, arguing the measure could help stop attacks before they escalate.

But the measure drew sustained skepticism and safety-focused objections from others in the room. Assistant Police Chief Tony Ponds, who said he had been involved in multiple shootings as an officer, cautioned that the council chamber’s close quarters posed special risks and urged careful consideration of training and deployment if carrying were permitted. “This is close proximity. Can’t no one tell me this is over,” Ponds said, describing how an armed encounter in a small meeting room could endanger bystanders.

Several speakers urged the council to require additional training or annual qualification if elected officials were allowed to carry. Travis Mitchell, who asked the council to require an approved training requirement, told the council he was “asking that the board consider … some kind of training, whether it be a pistol single pistol qual training before you’re allowed to carry within the confines.” He later proposed that any required training be approved by the council.

City legal staff also weighed in on statutory constraints. Ken Hicks, the city attorney, said he had reviewed the ordinance language and recommended an amendment to make clear that the privilege would be limited to elected officials who “possess a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self Defense Act.” Hicks said that change was necessary to align the city ordinance with current state law.

The ordinance discussion also included repeated references to state law changes and other statutes: speakers cited Section 21 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes and the Private Property Protection Act, and several speakers described pending or potential changes at the state or federal level that could affect licensing requirements.

After more than an hour of testimony and debate — including offers from supporters to donate signage and to help fund training — the council voted to take no action on Ordinance No. 984 at this time and agreed to place formation of a drafting committee on a future agenda. Members said the committee should include council members, law-enforcement representatives and other stakeholders to draft a version that addresses training, statutory compliance and operational questions before the council votes again.

The council did not adopt the ordinance Monday; it instead asked staff to bring a proposed committee structure and timeline back at the next council meeting. The ordinance as originally filed listed an effective date of Nov. 1, 2025, but the council’s action means no change to current city policy will take effect unless and until the council votes to adopt revised language in a future meeting.