The OKC zoo (like the Tulsa Zoo) isn't a public park. They can deny guns if they wish.
I was giving the Gathering Place the benefit of the doubt, but having gone over TITLE 21 § 1290.22, I really don't see how they can deny guns.
TITLE 21 § 1277 B
For purposes of subsection A of this section, the prohibited place does not include and specifically excludes the following property:
4) Any property designated by a city, town, county or state governmental authority as a park, recreational area, or fairgrounds; provided, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize any entry by a person in possession of a concealed or unconcealed handgun into any structure, building or office space which is specifically prohibited by the provisions of subsection A of this section;
ok, it's illegal to ban guns on public parks...
But there are
exceptions...
TITLE 21 § 1290.22
No person, property owner, tenant, employer, holder of an event permit, place of worship or business entity shall be permitted to establish any policy or rule that has the effect of prohibiting any person from carrying a concealed or unconcealed firearm on property within the specific exclusion provided for in paragraph 4 of subsection B of Section 1277 of this title; provided that carrying a concealed or unconcealed firearm may be prohibited in the following places:
1) The portion of a public property structure or building during an event authorized by the city, town, county, state or federal governmental authority owning or controlling such building or structure; (ie Octoberfest)
2) Any public property sports field, including any adjacent seating or adjacent area set aside for viewing a sporting event, where an elementary or secondary school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or an International Olympic Committee or organization or any committee subordinate to the International Olympic Committee event is being held;
3) The fairgrounds during the Oklahoma State Fair or the Tulsa State Fair; and
4) The portion of a public property structure or building that is leased or under contract to a business or not-for-profit entity or group for offices.
I don't see how Gathering Places qualifies as an exception. Is it an indefinite event? That undermines the letter of the law. And if so, where has Tulsa given authorization to operate as such?
Being operated by a private entity is irrelevant
here's what River Parks saysTulsa’s Gathering Place is a separate and special park for everyone originally owned by a subsidiary of the George Kaiser Family Foundation which was gifted to the River Parks Authority. Gathering Place opened on September 8, 2018 after four years under construction and transformed 66.5 acres of Tulsa’s waterfront along the Arkansas River into a separate, dynamic and active urban setting to play, relax and gather together. The park includes a lodge, boathouse, nature walks, sporting venues, and two land bridges over Riverside Drive which connects South Tulsa and Downtown Tulsa. Management and operation of the park was retained by a GKFF subsidiary, GGP Parks, LLC.
What is River Parks AuthorityRiver Parks Authority is a public trust authority created to develop and maintain the public parklands along the Arkansas River in Tulsa County. In Tulsa, there are three separate public park agencies: River Parks Authority, the City of Tulsa Parks Department, and the Tulsa County Park Department.
As much as the 2A guys are being obnoxious about it, they're right as far as I can tell.