Senate adds shooting into dwellings to Oklahoma's 85% crime list after contested debate

The Oklahoma Senate passed Senate Bill 631 on a 37-7 roll call, adding "shooting into a dwelling" to the state's list of crimes that carry an 85% truth-in-sentencing requirement.

The bill's sponsor, Pro Tem Paxton, said the change brings consistency to existing statute that already treats drive-by shootings as 85% crimes. "This Senate bill would add to the, list of 85% crimes, the shooting into a dwelling," Paxton said on the floor. He described the measure as aligning penalties so similar conduct receives similar treatment.

Opponents questioned whether the change would sweep in low-risk acts or be applied to unoccupied structures. Senator Brooks asked why a property-based act would be listed alongside other 85% crimes that target persons. Paxton replied the risk should rest with the perpetrator, not the potential victim: "The simple way to solve that for the criminal is don't shoot into any dwellings."

Floor questions addressed intent standards and prosecutorial discretion. Paxton noted multiple levels of prosecutorial and judicial discretion before an 85% sentence would be imposed and said current practice already mitigates weak cases. He also cited Department of Corrections data indicating an average sentence for existing cases of similar conduct and argued the proposed change would increase the average time served, which he presented as a public-safety benefit.

Supporters framed the bill as closing a statutory loophole that made some shootings less seriously punished depending on technical circumstances; opponents warned of overbreadth and urged careful application by prosecutors and courts.

The Senate recorded the final roll call and the chair announced the result: "Close the roll. Having received 37 I and 7 a, I declare senate bill 6 3 1 to have passed." The measure now goes to the next legislative stage.