Ohio Lawmakers pull trigger on new gun laws

Credit: Greg Lynch

Credit: Greg Lynch

Guns are a hot button issue. Especially so following the recent attack on the Ohio State campus. The end of the year is near and the Ohio Legislature is working quickly to tie up loose ends ahead of its winter break. Over the last week, a lot of changes have been proposed, introduced, and voted on in the Ohio House and the State Senate. Below are 2 bills you should know about which could lead to changes to Ohio gun laws:

1. House Bill 48

House Bill 48, which increases the number of locations where concealed carry permit holders can carry guns, passed the Ohio Senate with a 23-9 vote. Now it goes to a vote in the House. If passed, the bill would open the door for concealed carry permit holders to carry their firearms into city halls, airport terminals, day care centers, libraries, recreation centers, and other public buildings which do not have security check points. When it comes to college campuses, the college’s board of trustees must permit concealed carry on campus for the law to apply to that school.

2. Senate Bill 199

If passed, Senate Bill 199 would grant protected class status to workers who hold concealed weapons permits. At its core, the bill would ban employers from being able to fire or refuse to hire a worker based on the fact they have a CCW or have a gun in their car. Furthermore, SB 199 would permit active duty military members to carry concealed weapons without obtaining a permit so long as they have proper military ID and proof of specific training. There is no word yet on where the bill is in the lawmaking process.

The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association oppose HB 48. The Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association supports it.

>> Related: Ohio Senate OKs concealed guns in government buildings, colleges 

Today is the last day State Legislators plan to meet for the year. However, bills have until Dec. 31 to pass before returning to back to the beginning of the lawmaking process next year.

>> Related: 5 changes to Ohio law you need to know for 2017

To quickly check for updates on these bills, click here to download our free apps.

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