OHIO Senate passes legislation on concealed firearms

The bill will have to return to the House for further consideration.
By MICHELE C. HLADIK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Ohioans are inching closer to gaining the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun after the Ohio Senate voted 22-10 to approve legislation that has finally received the support of Gov. Bob Taft.
& quot;We've passed a bill that has a realistic chance of becoming law, & quot; said Sen. Steve Austria, the Beavercreek Republican whose committee worked on the concealed carry legislation in the Senate.
But before it makes its way to Taft's desk, it faces another round in the Ohio House of Representatives and likely more negotiations and adjustments in a joint House and Senate Conference Committee.
State Rep. Jim Aslanides sponsored the legislation. The Coshocton Republican said he hopes Taft still wants to sign the bill after a few changes are made.
House Bill 12 would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons after obtaining a permit from the county sheriff's office, undergoing a least 12 hours of training, paying a $45 fee and passing a background check.
Details
Some Senate changes included further limiting the places concealed handguns cannot be carried, including adding day-care centers and public buildings.
The version approved by the House in a 69-28 vote in March, already prohibited carrying in open air arenas, schools, colleges and universities, jails, airports and places that serve alcohol.
The Senate also addressed concerns by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement groups by requiring those carrying in a car to have the handgun visible at all times unless there are children in the car. When children are in the car the handgun must be secured in a locked area. Motorists would also be required to notify law enforcement they are carrying the handgun if stopped for a traffic violation.
According to Capt. John Born of the Highway Patrol, this provision could eliminate the element of surprise for the trooper or police officer who makes a traffic stop.
Aslanides said the Senate also took away the carrier's right to an affirmative defense if he would need to carry the gun in a car before he is able to obtain a permit. He said that would make it difficult for those carrying large sums of money to protect them legally.
He said this would be one of the major issues he would like to see changed in the conference committee.
Reconsider after changes
It is the changes that will require the House to again consider the legislation. If it doesn't agree to the changes, then the bill goes to a conference committee made up of members of both bodies. The version approved by a conference committee would then have to be approved by the House and Senate.
Some opponents of the legislation maintain the bill would only increase violent crime and create more deaths by accidental shooting.
Opponents on the other end, including Sen. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Defiance, believe the bill is too restrictive and violates the rights of law abiding citizens.
& quot;I'm not going to be able to vote yes on this bill. & quot;
Sen. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, said he liked the restrictions and contemplated voting for the bill, but in the end voted against it.
HB 12 requires both written and physical competency training and a $45 application fee for the permit. According to Taft spokesman Orest Holubec, Taft will sign the bill as long as it continues to meet several requirements, including support from the major law enforcement groups.
The Highway Patrol recently changed its position from disapproval to neutrality while the bill was in the Senate.