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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Group Demands Guns|at Music Festival

(CN) - A gun group sued Norman, Okla. for banning guns from an upcoming music festival.

The Oklahoma Second Amendment Association sued the city and the Norman Music Alliance on Wednesday in Cleveland County Court.

The Norman Music Festival is scheduled for April 23-25 in downtown Norman. Norman, pop. 120,000, is a southern suburb of Oklahoma City.

The gun group claims the ban violates the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, which prohibits "subjective or arbitrary" rules beyond those specified in the act.

"The Norman Music Festival posts the public streets of Norman for 'no guns,'" the 10-page complaint states. "This notice is also posted on the website for the Norman Music Festival. The City of Norman has no authority to prohibit the open or concealed carry of pistols on the public roadways of the City of Norman by a person properly licensed under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act."

At a news conference outside the Cleveland County courthouse, attorney Lana Cohlmia said the group's first court hearing was scheduled for April 28 - three days after the festival ends. She said she will ask for a reassignment to another judge for an earlier hearing.

Cohlmia said the gun ban invites "predator" criminals to go after unarmed people at the festival.

The group's vice president, Don Spencer, said he plans to bring his gun to the festival and that he "just wants the right to protect myself."

Spencer said he will politely decline if asked to leave the festival for bringing his gun.

"We will respond peaceably if arrested," he said. "We will hold [the arresting officers'] superior officers accountable for their actions."

Norman officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

The plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment and a temporary restraining order.

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