House allows restrictions on access to permits

COLUMBUS (AP) -- The Ohio House voted Wednesday to allow restrictions on reporters' access to the names of people holding concealed weapon permits, a last-minute addition to a bill meant to improve access to open records.
The proposal still must pass the Senate. Gov. Bob Taft has said repeatedly he would veto any bill restricting access to the names.
The GOP-controlled House approved the restriction 51-43 along bipartisan lines with some Democrats supporting the restrictions and some Republicans opposing it.
The surprise move put a damper on efforts by Rep. Scott Oelslager to pass the open records bill, introduced more than a year ago but hung up for months over the awarding of attorney fees and the timeliness of providing records.
Current law allows reporters to ask the sheriff of each county for a list of all people allowed to carry hidden guns. The measure approved Wednesday allows permit holders to direct sheriffs not to release their names.