Oklahoma City, OK - Following the Senate's overwhelming vote to sustain Gov. Brad Henry's veto of SB1685, the so-called Firearms Freedom Act, Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Todd Goodman issued the following statement:

"I applaud the Senators who today stood up to support Gov. Henry's veto of the so-called 'Firearms Freedom Act.' This audacious move struck a blow to those on the other side of the aisle who continue to attempt to divide our state over hot-button issues in order to advance their political careers.

"This bill would have endangered the lives of law-abiding Oklahomans, including first responders charged with enforcing the law. Gov. Henry and the Senate did the right thing for all Oklahomans.

"Had the GOP leadership succeeded in pushing through a veto override, they would have put the state on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs defending a law that is on its face unconstitutional. A cursory look at legal precedent would tell you that.

"Unfortunately, the Republican leaders don't care about constitutionality – even though they claim to respect the Constitution. They care more about dragging the issue through the courts and through the press than about doing the right thing.

"Perhaps now the GOP will have run out of divisive issues they can exploit and get to work on the state budget."