Foster parents sue over handgun policy

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Two foster parents and a nonprofit are suing the state Department of Human Services in Oklahoma City federal court over an agency rule regarding firearm possession that they claim is unconstitutional.

The Oklahoman reports (http://bit.ly/1ScMdCO ) that Stephen and Krista Pursley of Moore and, along with the Second Amendment Foundation, filed the lawsuit against the department’s director, Ed Lake.

The lawsuit says department policy prevents them from having firearms in their vehicles or while foster or adopted children are present.

The plaintiffs say the rule violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the equal protection provisions in the 14th Amendment and the Oklahoma Constitution.

The department’s communications director, Sheree Powell, says the policy doesn’t prohibit gun ownership by foster parents but requires reasonable safety measures to protect the children.