While state law enforcement agencies have been vocal in opposing recent gun legislation proposals, some have criticized the Ohio Highway Patrol for not speaking up.

The legislation is part of Senate Bill 184 and would allow registered handgun owners to carry unloaded firearms and ammunition in their vehicles. The National Rifle Association is pushing the proposal.

"All this does is provide another loophole for people to carry firearms in their cars," Dayton police union President Lt. Randy Beane said.

"This means you can have a gun in the seat next to you and the ammo right beside it. This puts officers and the public more at risk."

Current legislation makes it illegal to transport a handgun and ammunition without a conceal-and-carry permit.

On Wednesday, May 21, a House committee headed by Rep. John J. White, R-Kettering, heard testimony from law enforcement officials, but members of the patrol declined to speak.

The patrol's lack of opinion puzzled lawmakers since it was instrumental in crafting the original Carry Concealed Weapons law.

"It is complexing," White said. "But it's understandable since they report to the governor and the governor supports the amendments."

The patrol said it's not being muzzled by Gov. Ted Strickland.

"We want to wait and see what the final version is," patrol spokesman Lt. Shawn Davis said. "An amendment has not been accepted by the (House) committee as of yet. Nothing has been formally introduced for us to comment on."

Proponents of the legislation said it is intended to protect law-abiding citizens who wish to use their firearms in a lawful way, such as hunters, gun lovers and sport shooters.

"How many times have (police officers) found a criminal carrying an unloaded gun?" said Jim Irvinne, a spokesman for the Buckeye Firearms Association, which helped craft the legislation. "If someone is intending to commit a crime, they aren't thinking of the law to begin with. They are going to do it no matter what the law says."

The proposal would also allow off-duty officers to carry guns inside bars and prevent law enforcement from seizing legal guns during government-declared emergencies.

Some law enforcement officers aren't too concerned about the change, agreeing with Irvinne that those who commit gun violence disregard the law as it is now.

"It's not going to impact the way we conduct our business," Dayton police Sgt. Chris Williams said. "Law-abiding citizens are not our problem."

White said the bill is expected to pass out of his committee on Tuesday, May 27, and head to the House for a vote on Wednesday. White said he expects Senate approval soon after.

Despite not having the backing of some law enforcement, Strickland said he would sign the bill into law.

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