Guns are banned, but are Oklahoma lawmakers packing?

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Even as construction workers and employees wait to pass through metal detectors at the entrances to the Oklahoma Capitol, some lawmakers now regularly skirt the weapons screening and set off the security alarms.

The security busters could be just legislators in a hurry. But many of their colleagues believe the reason is the statehouse’s worst-kept secret: some lawmakers are armed.

Firearms are banned in the capitol even though they’re now legal many other places in Oklahoma. Capitol security officers are grumbling about the trend of members refusing to be screened.

Conservative state Rep. Sally Kern says several of her colleagues have admitted they’re now armed at work.