House bill would expand handgun possession

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

Adults would be allowed to carry concealed handguns without first obtaining a state permit, under legislation being considered in the Ohio House.

The primary sponsors of HB 152 said Ohio’s current concealed-carry licensing system is “frivolous and obsolete,” and law-abiding citizens should be allowed to carry their firearms.

“This bill simply restores Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in Ohio without having to first obtain the government’s permission in the form of a permit or license,” Rep. Ron Hood, R-Ashville, told members of the Ohio House’s State Government Committee, where the legislation had a first hearing Wednesday.

He added later, “If bearing arms is a right, it is not the job of the government to require law-abiding citizens to jump through one of the most burdensome processes in the country to exercise.”

Rep. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, who serves as committee chairman, said he was hopeful related legislation could be moved through the panel before the summer recess.

On HB 152, Hood said a half-dozen other states have implemented similar laws allowing the concealed carrying of firearms without a license.

He said the legislation would not eliminate Ohio’s concealed-carry licensing system — anyone who wants to go through that process could do so. But those who are eligible to carry firearms could also choose to bypass the system.

“About all we have learned from the permit experiment is that license holders are statistically the most law-abiding citizens in society,” Hood said. “Simply put, there is no compelling governmental interest in forcing this archaic government mandate on law-abiding citizens.”

Other firearms-related bills heard by the State Government Committee included:

HB 35, which would block state agencies from seizing firearms unless officers believe such seizures are needed to protect public safety or to preserve evidence.

Hood said the bill also would block state agencies and law enforcement from establishing firearms registries or enforcing registration requirements.

HB 48, which, among other provisions, would lift prohibitions in state law from carrying concealed firearms into churches, day care centers, private aircraft, college campuses and government buildings. Those locations still could choose to block concealed firearms on their premises.

“This bill essentially cleans up issues with the original concealed-carry legislation,” said Maag, the primary sponsor of the legislation. “It is meant to facilitate lawful gun ownership so that citizens are able to protect themselves and their families.”

HB 20, which would provide exemptions for concealed-carry license holders to carry their firearms into school safety zones, so long as those firearms remain in their locked vehicles.

Rep. Anne Gonzales, R-Westerville, said the legislation clarifies current law, which is “poorly worded and can be confusing.”