A Note from Don Spencer, President of the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association:

Oklahoma Second Amendment Association has received multiple requests recently to review the voting record of State Representative Johnny Tadlock (D-Idabel), due to his public proclamation and campaign talking points such as the one Rep. Tadlock published on his facebook page: “Next we can talk about the Second Amendment… there is not another legislator that defends those rights anymore than I do…and my record is clear on that as well…”

The following is detail of our findings:

State Representative Johnny Tadlock (D-Idabel) Gun Voting Record

Oklahoma Second Amendment Association Finding: Upon review the voting record of State Rep. Johnny Tadlock (D-Idabel) in correlation with all other members of the State Legislature, there are 68 members in the State House with higher gun advocacy voting records in the 2016 session than State Representative Tadlock, and 12 of those are democrats.

While Representative Tadlock has an” A-“ voting record with the NRA, there are 9 Oklahoma state legislators with an “A+”; not to mention numerous additional legislators that earned an “A” rating.

State Rep. Johnny Tadlock earned a “C” for his voting record with the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association for the last session.  Both NRA and Oklahoma Second Amendment Association scores are important to consider in determining who is truly a gun advocate. OK2A has an invested state interest because our grades are based on the actions of lawmakers that affect Oklahoman’s ability to exercise our gun rights within our state. The NRA’s home is 1,300 miles away, and it does not generally grade on private property rights related to firearms like OK2A does.

At the request of OK2A, there were 32 bills introduced for 2016 and we have a strong working relationship with the NRA, and often work together to protect and defend Second Amendment rights.  OK2A has a daily presence at the state capitol during session.

This summary is based on voting facts and personal interaction with State Representative Tadlock:

On September 23, 2016, I sent an email to Representative Tadlock containing an OK2A survey for consideration of endorsement that we have all legislators fill out that do not have an established “A” voting record with OK2A or have had a weak voting record that wish to put in writing their desire to protect the Second Amendment and private property rights.

Representative Tadlock did return an email stating his voting record is clear and did not fill out the standard survey. He also stated in the email “Search and seizure laws should apply to any law enforcement agencies.” This statement is from a question in the survey which reads:

“Will you support legislation requiring Game Wardens to follow the same legal procedures for entering private property as all other law enforcement must follow by requiring more than the mere discharge of a firearm before entering private property without permission or a warrant in areas where the discharge of a firearm is a legal act? (Witnessing a violation of game laws and/or regulations, etc., would constitute probable cause and would mean they had more than just the discharge of the firearm.)

The responses available are Yes, No, or I am unsure.

Again, State Representative Tadlock refused to answer the survey and let his voting record speak for him.

State Representative Johnny Tadlock’s voting record is this:

HB2859 by Roberts of the House (At the request of OK2A) was a bill to protect property owners by adding the language to the statue “A game warden shall not enter a private property for the purpose of enforcing wildlife conservation laws, based solely on the discharge of a firearm.”

With the growing problem of Game Wardens entering, crossing private property, removing persons from vehicles, taking away their legally carried firearms because the GW claims to hear a gun shot. Persons being harassed for target shooting, predator or varmint and feral hog shooting again on their own private property where the discharge of a firearm is legal. Any other Law Enforcement agency is required to have a warrant or probable cause or the property owner’s permission is required to legally enter.

On February 18, 2016, Representative Tadlock voted against the bill and against OK2A  to protect private property and Second Amendment rights and defeated it. This encouraged Game Wardens to continue this bully effort and ignore a citizens 2nd and 4th Amendment Rights.

SB1142 by Senator Dahm (At the request of OK2A). This bill dealt with feral hogs. The destruction especially to private property because of feral hogs is approaching a billion dollar a year problem. The bill was named the “300 pound rat bill” because it allowed the private property owner to kill feral hogs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without requiring a license, tags and would be able to use night vision equipment. There were 6 amendments added to the bill (None by Tadlock). Representative Tadlock voted against OK2A or did not vote at all on the amendments while he was present at his desk in the House Chamber. I witnessed this from the gallery. After Representative Roberts defeated the six bad amendments that were an attempt to kill or gut the bill, then Representative Tadlock voted for the bill and the bill passed. The bill was vetoed by the Governor.

SB1057  Fry/Calvey (Introduced at the request of OK2A) March 28th, 2016 This was signed into law and goes into effect Nov 1, 2016. The bill decriminalizes handgun carry into certain public areas. Clarifies immunity for municipalities where citizens carry. Clarifies and strengthens the Business Owners rights for employee carry. Clarified public owned venues for professional sporting events. Clarified carry for areas where gambling was allowed. Clarified parking lots. Clarified Event Holder could NOT ban guns on public property.

Representative Tadlock was the only NO vote in Public Safety Committee. Even after extensive discussion and advised it was an OK2A and NRA graded vote.

HJR1009 Introduced at the request of OK2A. The premiere bill on the right to keep and bear arms that would update over a century old language to read,” The right of a citizen to keep and bear arms …shall not be infringed.” It would also require the courts observe the state constitution would be subject to strict scrutiny. In 1929 the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeal ruled that the ownership of a pistol could be outlawed by the state legislature. Representative Tadlock was asked, emailed several times by myself to coauthor the bill. 3 other democrats and over 30 republicans coauthored the bill. He refused

Again, if State Representative Tadlock had truly defended gun and property rights to the degree he stated, he would have received an award from OK2A and been recognized for his accomplishments. 

Tadlock’s record stands in stark contrast to State Senator Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow), who resides in the same county as State Representative Tadlock. 

Senator Joseph Silk is endorsed by the NRA, earned an A+ by the NRA, and is receiving the Oklahoma Second Association Minuteman Award – the highest award given by our association, for his accomplishments in protecting gun and property rights. The bills stated above had active involvement by Senator Silk in assisting with passage throughout the process. Senator Silk is the example that all of our state legislators should follow, of truly advocating and delivering results in ensuring our 2nd Amendment and property rights are protected in our state, and our nation.

These are the facts about Representative Tadlock’s voting record and desire to protect your Second Amendment and private property rights.

 Don Spencer

President
Oklahoma Second Amendment Association