Taft says he'll veto altered handgun bill

The measure was overwhelmingly approved by the House.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Gov. Bob Taft said Wednesday he would veto a bill that would make changes to the state law that allows law-abiding Ohioans to carry concealed handguns and would pre-empt local regulations on the issue.
The Republican Taft said he's concerned with provisions that would pre-empt local handgun laws as well as sections that would remove requirements that a permit holder keep a handgun in plain sight if pulled over in a vehicle by law enforcement.
"If those remain in the bill, that's going to make it difficult to sign the bill or allow it to go into law," Taft said in a phone interview.
Taft's comments came after the Ohio House overwhelmingly approved the measure 76 to 19. It must still be approved by the senate.
The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Jim Aslanides, a Coshocton Republican.
One uniform law
Aslanides said there should be one uniform law on the issue so that concealed-carry permit holders wouldn't have to be knowledgeable about local gun-related ordinances as they travel around Ohio.
The measure, if enacted, also would remove the requirement that a gun be kept in plain sight if a concealed-carry permit holder in a vehicle is pulled over by law officers. Permit holders can also have a gun locked up in a car, under current law.
State representatives from the Mahoning Valley area voting for the bill:
Charles Blasdel, R-East Liverpool.
John A. Boccieri, D-New Middletown.
Sandra Stabile Harwood, D-Niles.
Randy Law, R-Warren.
State representatives from are area voting no on this bill:
Sylvester Patton, D-Youngstown.