Legislation

This page contains an overview of legislation currently pending in Ohio that affects your gun rights. It contains links to each bill (click on bill name to read the text of the bill), a brief description, relates the current status, and links to any important stories we have written about it. All Bills Below This Point Either Passed or Expired December 31st, 2006 House Bill 9 An amendment was made to this public records bill that would allow a concealed carry licensee to prohibit the disclosure of the licensee's information to a journalist. That amendment was replaced in the Senate Judiciary-Civil Justice committee by changes that will now permit a journalist to "review" the licensees at a Sheriff's office, but prohibits them from copying down, recording, or otherwise leaving with complete lists. This compromise preserves journalist access for legitimate research and prevents intimidation tactics. Status of Legislation Signed by Governor Taft and will become law in late March. Related Stories Once upon a journalist loophole poison pill ACTION ITEM: Journalist Loophole Bill Moving House Bill 347 (Becomes Ohio Law mid-March 2007) The current CHL reform bill. Amongst other things, it would: remove the requirement to open carry in a motor vehicle, allow for statewide preemption of local firearms laws (requiring instead that all gun laws be made only at the state level), raise the cost of the license to $55, lengthens the term of the license to five years, allows for renewal of the license up to 90 days before expiration, requires sheriffs to accept CHL applications at least 15 hours per week and post those hours, allows law enforcement officers to transport their loaded firearms if they are legally intoxicated, raises the penalty for mishandling a concealed firearm in a motor vehicle to a fourth degree penalty, and raises the penalty for failure to inform to a third degree felony. Status of Legislation Vetoed by Ohio Governor Taft. Veto overridden by Ohio House 71-21. Veto overridden by Ohio Senate 21-12. Becomes law March 14th, 2007 unless challenged in court. Obey all current laws! Related Stories Representative Aslanides Introduces HB347: HB12 Reform Legislation Substitute House Bill 347 Changes AND Hearing Audio Toledo: Let the crying over statewide pre-emption begin Senator Niehaus expects HB347 to pass in the fall Senate Leadership Won't Pass HB347 Before Elections Aslanides Holds Out Hope For HB347 Senate President Harris says it'll pass, Plain Dealer anti-gun editorial follows Columbus Dispatch: Deal on HB347 near Revised Preemption And CCW Reform Passes Ohio Senate Preemption & Car Carry Needs Your Help!!! First and Ten and the Governor has the ball Taft Vetoes CHL Reform; House Overrides Statewide Preemption To Become Law Today? Veto Overridden; HB347 to Become Law! Senate Bill 252 The Senate version of HB347 introduced to run concurrently. Since HB347 will become law the Senate will no longer act on SB252. Status of Legislation Assigned to Senate Rules Committee. No further action expected. Related Stories SB 252 Introduced House Bill 460 This bill would authorize all schools to be able to offer as an elective course a one-semester course in firearm safety and marksmanship designated as the Ohio gun safety program course and is similar to an Arizona bill passed in 2005. Status of Legislation Assigned to House Education Committee. This bill will expire with the end of the General Assembly this December without further movement. Related Stories Bill Introduced to Allow Ohio Gun Safety Program Course in Schools House Bill 508 Ohio's version of the Katrina Bill, which would specifically prohibit confiscation of firearms during a state of emergency. Status of Legislation Assigned to House Criminal Justice Committee. This bill will expire with the end of the General Assembly this December without further movement. Related Stories Hood Introduces Bill to Prohibit Confiscations Sponsor Testimony for HB 508 House Bill 541 Stand Your Ground legislation which would guarantee citizen's the right to stand their ground in the face of a violent criminal attack and meet force with force in any place he or she has a legal right to be. It also provides a defender with immunity so that an unsuccessful criminal cannot sue his victim for injuries sustained during the attack. Status of Legislation Assigned to House Criminal Justice Committee. This bill will expire with the end of the General Assembly this December without further movement. Related Stories Ohio Stand Your Ground Legislation Introduced Stand Your Ground in Ohio Senate Bill 292 Anti-CCW legislation which would permit political subdivisions to prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns in any park, swimming pool, sports field, or other outdoor premises or property owned, leased, or otherwise under the control of the political subdivision. Status of Legislation Scheduled for first hearing, Senate Judiciary-Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday, November 15th at 9:00am. This bill will expire with the end of the General Assembly this December without further movement. Related Stories Democrat Senator Wants To Let Locals Ban CCW Senate Bill 308 The Senate Companion Bill to HB 541 Status of Legislation Assigned to Senate Judiciary-Civil Justice Committee. This bill will expire with the end of the General Assembly this December without further movement.