Proposed legislation would expand concealed weapons in Ohio
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
AP Legal Affairs Writer
NBC4I
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A series of proposed gun laws would expand concealed weapons in Ohio by potentially allowing them in places like churches or daycares and letting certain gun owners carry concealed weapons without a permit.
The House State Government Committee heard initial testimony on several proposals Wednesday afternoon.
A bill introduced by Committee Chairman Ron Maag (mag), a Republican from Lebanon in southwest Ohio, would allow concealed weapons in churches, day cares and colleges and universities as long as written authorization permitting the concealed carry of handguns is in place.
A bill from Republican Rep. Ron Hood of Ashville would allow residents 21 and older – and not barred by federal law from having a firearm – to carry a concealed firearm that’s not restricted in the state.
A series of proposed gun laws would expand concealed weapons in Ohio by potentially allowing them in places like churches or day cares and letting certain gun owners carry concealed weapons without a permit.
The House State Government Committee planned to hear initial testimony on several measures Wednesday afternoon. No votes were scheduled.
One bill would allow concealed weapons in churches, day cares and colleges and universities as long as written authorization permitting the concealed carry of handguns is in place.
If this legislation passes through the gauntlet of opposition, this would be a game changer for concealed carry owners. Ohio churches, daycares, and many other ordinarily gun-free zones would immediately become safer if responsible gun concealers were allowed access to these locations. There’s no doubt anti-gunners will yip like a litter of chihuahuas over this one, but that doesn’t change the fact that it could save innocent lives.
These locations in question-colleges, government facilities, and planes- have all been targeted by mass shooters in the past. A responsible concealed carrier can prevent anything; a school shooting. A heinous crime. A tragedy.
Imagine the possibilities this could have and how many lives it could save.
Time is precious in these situations, and pulling out a concealed can be the only timely solution to a threat. A solution can sometimes be just a trigger pull away.
For concealed carriers, defense is always within arms reach.
