Ohio lawmakers might allow guns in stadiums, bars

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio lawmakers are considering allowing people to have concealed firearms in bars, sports stadiums and other venues that serve alcohol, though it’s not clear if Gov. John Kasich would sign such legislation.

Supportive lawmakers say by passing the measure, Ohio would be joining dozens of states that have varying rules to let people take firearms into facilities that offer alcohol, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported Sunday.

But the proposal on concealed weapons in Ohio is more wide-reaching than such measures in most other states, said Brian Malte, director of state legislation for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington.

“What Ohio wants to do is totally different from what we’re seeing elsewhere,” partly because sports stadiums would be included, Malte told the newspaper.

Under the proposal, a person couldn’t legally carrying a concealed weapon and be drinking or already drunk.

Proponents say it would give people with concealed carry permits a last-resort option to defend themselves if they faced violence in a bar or restaurant by an illegal gun user. They also say restaurants, stadiums and other facilities still would have the option of posting their own bans on weapons.

“Saying that we are trying to authorize guns in bars is a complete misrepresentation,” said Jeff Garvas of Ohioans for Concealed Carry. “We didn’t go out and write a bill to say we need a bill that allows us to have a gun in bars. The whole purpose is to go to a restaurant which just happens to serve alcohol and not have to leave my gun in the car.”

Opponents argue the proposal is unnecessary and could create safety threats.

“We just don’t think alcohol and guns mix,” said Richard Mason of the Ohio Restaurant Association. “We believe the current law is working just fine.”

The Republican-led Ohio House and Senate have approved similar bills on the issue but have not sent one to Kasich.

House Speaker William Batchelder of Medina has said he expects the governor to sign the legislation, and a Kasich spokesman said that’s likely.

But Kasich isn’t giving the O.K. just yet.

“I have to see what it is,” he said last week, referring to himself as “a Second Amendment fan” who wanted to look at the details of the legislation.