Second Amendment group to take legal action against gun-free Oktoberfest
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — It's spelled out right in black and white on a sign in front of the entrance to Oktoberfest. And sure enough, when Don Spencer tried to put the no weapons policy to the test, he was asked to leave.
"So right now I’m going to ask you to leave the property," said an Oktoberfest official.
"They broke the law," said Spencer, president of the Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association.
A law which Spencer is happy to show and quote to you, in part be cause he helped write it.
"Public property is always public property, even if it is being leased, rented or another tenant or has an event permit such as the Oktoberfest," he said.
As for what folks attending Oktoberfest think of guns at the event?
"I mean, I’m all for gun rights, but guns and alcohol don’t mix," said one woman.
"I think it's just a safety thing like, I don’t think anybody should be allowed to bring guns in here just in case something happens," said one man.
"I’m very much a fan of the fact that guns aren’t here," said Johnny Buschardt. He was at Oktoberfest with his eight-year-old daughter.
"I mean, Oktoberfest is a family event, it’s one where everybody needs to feel comfortable, feel welcome, not have any trepidation about what you’re going to see or what your child is going to see," said Buschardt.
"In a family atmosphere anytime you have a no-gun zone it invites everyone to do what evil will do," said Spencer.
Oktoberfest officials declined an on camera interview, instead releasing a one sentence statement: "This is a private, gated event and firearms are not permitted."
As for what they said to Spencer, which he captured on a body camera.
"Well the situation is here, that you’re not allowed to come in with a knife or a firearm. If you have a problem with that then you need to take it up in the proper avenue which would be the court system," said an Oktoberfest official.
An avenue which Spencer is happy to oblige.
"Our point is made that they violated the law and that we settle this in a court," he said.
