Hidden guns would be allowed in government buildings

State Rep. Nino Vitale is pretty confident he can take care of himself: he is a firearms instructor who routinely carries a weapon, he has 25 years of martial arts training and he runs 20 miles a week.

But state law prohibits the Urbana Republican from carrying his concealed guns inside the Ohio Statehouse and other government buildings. Given today’s hyper-charged political environment and the recent shooting at a Congressional softball team practice, Vitale wants to change that.

“If you’re an elected official, you should have the right to defend yourself. I’ve had people watch me come out of the Statehouse,” Vitale said. “During certain bills or debates, I’ve had people walk after me and it’s quite uncomfortable because you really don’t know (their intentions.)”

Vitale introduced a bill last month that would allow elected state or local officeholders who have valid CCW permits to carry concealed handguns inside government facilities.

Jennifer Thorne, policy chair for Ohioans Against Gun Violence, said: “We think that introducing hidden loaded weapons into our government buildings from the Statehouse to the local level is a really irresponsible idea.”

CCW permit records are not public so it is nearly impossible to determine how many township trustees, county commissioners, city officials, school board members and other elected officials hold permits.

Knowing that elected officeholders may be packing weapons would deter violence, Vitale said. He estimates that about 25 of the 66 Republicans in the Ohio House hold CCW permits.

House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn, D-Dayton, who says he owns guns, said he isn’t aware of any of the 33 House Democrats hold CCW permits. “The security is so high in the Statehouse and office building, I can’t imagine why someone would feel the need to carry,” Strahorn said.

The Ohio Highway Patrol provides security on state owned and leased properties, including the Statehouse where metal detectors and keycard access controls were recently added.

Still, Vitale said someone could pass through security and later open an unguarded door to armed accomplices. “It could happen that quickly.”

The bill has 17 Republican co-sponsors. Vitale said he hopes it will receive hearings when lawmakers return to Columbus in the fall.

Ohio first adopted a CCW program in 2004. In the past five years, county sheriffs have issued 397,613 new permits and renewed another 195,328, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s 2016 report. Generally, adults who complete an eight hour training class and pass a criminal background check can qualify for a CCW permit.

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About the Author

Laura A. Bischoff

Laura Bischoff is our Columbus bureau reporter and covers politics and state government. She keeps a close eye on elected leaders, public employees and taxpayer money. Bischoff tries to write stories that inform voters, hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.