Bill to allow guns in Ohio Capitol garage

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Guns could be left in vehicles parked in the Statehouse garage beneath the Ohio Capitol under a bill on its way to the governor’s desk.

The measure cleared the Senate on 26-7 vote Thursday, the last voting day of the General Assembly. The House then agreed to the changes on a 66-23 vote.

A spokesman for Republican Gov. John Kasich said he was likely to sign the legislation.

Passage came after senators stripped parts of the bill that dealt with concealed- weapon agreements between states.

The provision would have expanded how the attorney general enters into such reciprocity agreements with states to allow Ohioans with concealed-weapons permits to carry firearms.

Currently, the attorney general must negotiate written reciprocity agreements with states. The provision would have allowed “automatic” reciprocity with states that offer such a provision in their law.