In Ohio, where the legislature in recent years has eased restrictions on concealed-carry, even over the objections of some law enforcement groups, a battle is being waged over just where to draw the line.
Five bills currently pending in the Ohio General Assembly would allow permit holders to carry their weapons in state-owned parking garages — such as below the Ohio Statehouse — loosen permit renewal requirements, eliminate required gun safety training and background checks and automatically expand the system for recognizing CCW permits issued by other states.
Gun advocates had been working with Ohio lawmakers to pass a “Stand Your Ground” law similar to what Florida has, said Jim Irvine, spokesman for the pro-gun Buckeye Firearms Association, though he noted that the Martin case “put a chill on it.”
The 17-year-old Martin was shot to death in Florida on Feb. 26 after an encounter with armed neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, 28, who faces trial on a charge of second-degree murder.
Irving said the gun lobby in Ohio has been successful for two reasons.
“Number one is the facts are on our side,” he said. “We were the last state to adopt concealed carry so we were not breaking any new ground here. The other piece is gun owners, particularly concealed carry owners, are politically active.”
‘Scary’ bills
After reviewing the current bills being proposed in Ohio, law enforcement have said some of the bills are “scary,” pointing to House Bill 256 and House Bill 422 — as particularly troublesome.
HB 256 would eliminate background checks and gun safety classes required for concealed carry permits, while HB 422 would repeal the requirement that a permit holder who is pulled over in a traffic stop alert law enforcement that he or she has a loaded weapon.
The sponsors of the bills could not be reached.
Some officers said the HB 422 could put both law enforcement officers and permit holders at risk.
If an officer is not informed and sees a gun “that person is going to be getting drawn down on,” he said. “That potentially puts the CCW holder in jeopardy.”
“This bill not only keeps the officer unsafe but it is completely unsafe for the permit holder.”
At the Middletown Sportsman Club and the Butler County Sportsmen Rifle and Pistol Club last week, target shooters included both those with CCW permits and those working toward obtaining them.
Many supported the new laws, but were more concerned with states having the same laws.
Dave Scharff, who has had a concealed carry permit since 2008, would like to see uniform legislation across the United States. He gives an example that if you are traveling to Florida, your Ohio permit is honored in all states except Georgia.
When a person from this state enters the Georgia state line, they have to stop and lock their gun up. When they enter the Florida border, they can legally carry it again.
“As far as for parking garages, that’s just convenience, you don’t have to lock your gun up in your trunk,” Scharff said. “If they trust you enough to carry a weapon, why not in a parking garage where you would need it the most.”
Personal protection
Toby Hoover of Ohioans Against Gun Violence said over the years the gun lobby has chipped away at restrictions that were in the original CCW law — limits that were sold as protections against dangerous situations that could arise.
The original concealed carry weapons law took effect April 8, 2004, and established rules for who can get permits, what training they must have and where and how they may carry their weapons. It also allowed journalists — but not the general public — to obtain records of who received permits, and it set up a system to let the Attorney General determine whether Ohio would recognize permits issued in other states with substantially similar CCW requirements.
Since then, state officials pushed through changes so that CCW permit holders may now carry weapons in restaurants and bars that sell liquor, in state highway rest stops, in school safety zones and in stores that sell carry out alcohol.
Pro-gun Ohioans won other legislative victories over the years: Local governments can no longer pass their own gun laws, concealed weapons may be carried inside passenger compartments of cars, and journalists may see — but not copy — permit holder records.
Another big win for gun rights advocates came in 2008 when Gov. Ted Strickland signed the “Castle Doctrine” law. Under this statute, if someone breaks into an occupied home or occupied vehicle, the occupant is granted the initial presumption of self-defense, has no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense, and is given immunity from civil lawsuits brought later by the attacker.
Many of these changes were controversial, and several — including allowing guns in bars — were passed over the objections of law enforcement.
Although so far that provision hasn’t caused many problems, “It’s way too early to tell the impact of guns in bars,” said Jay McDonald, president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police.
A level playing field
The expansion in the number of people having CCW permits is a reflection of society, said gun advocates.
Mark Steiner was shooting his Smith and Wesson at the Middletown club’s rifle and pistol range on Thursday.
“Concealed carry protects innocent people from being harmed, particularly women,” Steiner said. “CC permit holders are upright, responsible citizens.”
Eddie Hobson of Hamilton, who has had a permit since 2004, said, “We obey the laws, the people without the concealed carry permits don’t obey the laws, they just do whatever they want.”
Hoover said Ohio is on a slippery slope by constantly expanding the boundaries of what is legally permissible.
“First, you arm everyone because they’re law-abiding. Then you give them permission to shoot and then you wonder why you have the results you have as in Florida,” said Hoover. “Law-abiding is not a permanent condition.”
For now, Irvine said, the priority for gun rights advocates is House Bill 495, which would streamline permit renewals and expand ‘reciprocity’ by automatically recognizing permits issued by all other states.
Currently, the Attorney General may sign reciprocity agreements only with other states that have substantially similar training requirements for their CCW permit holders. Ohio has agreements with 23 states. House Bill 495 would expand it to include 48 states.
Gary Stelzer contributed to this story.
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